Category Archives: Birdwatching

Avian And Attributes – Peace

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Avian And Attributes – Peace

Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata) by Ian

Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata) by Ian

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” (Ephesians 2:14 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Peace

PEACE, n. [L. pax, paco, to appease.]
1. In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.
3. Freedom from internal commotion or civil war.
4. Freedom from private quarrels, suits or disturbance.
5. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquillity; calmness; quiet of conscience.
Great peace have they that love the law. Psa 119.

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalms 119:165 KJV)
6. Heavenly rest; the happiness of heaven.
7. Harmony; concord; a state of reconciliation between parties at variance.
To be at peace, to be reconciled; to live in harmony.
To make peace, to reconcile, as parties at variance.
To hold the peace, to be silent; to suppress one’s thoughts; not to speak.

“That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (Romans 15:32-33 KJV)

Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) by Margaret Sloan

Peaceful Dove (Geopelia striata) by Margaret Sloan

Peaceful Dove

The Peaceful Dove (Geopelia placida) is a pigeon native to Australia and New Guinea. The Peaceful Dove is closely related to the zebra dove of south-east Asia and the barred dove of eastern Indonesia. Until recently, the three were classed as a single species, Geopelia striata, known as Peaceful dove or Zebra dove.

The bird is a relatively small pigeon and varies in length from 19 to 21 centimetres (7.6 to 8.4 inches). The peaceful dove has a pink-grey breast with chequered grey-brown wings. Thin striations of black appear around the neck and nape area and descend down the back. The eye is greyish-white and a blue-grey ring surrounds the eye that tapers off and joins the beak/cere. The juveniles are paler and less striated. They also have a duller eye ring. The nape is similar to that of the bar-shouldered dove in that the nape feathers are striated but differs in that the bar-shouldered dove does not have striated throat feathers like the peaceful dove. Furthermore, the nape feathers are grey-brown in colour compared to the vivid copper colour seen with bar-shouldered doves. (Wikipedia) (Columbidae – Pigeons, Doves Family)

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Omnipresence

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Avian And Attributes – Omnipresence

Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) by W Kwong

Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) by W Kwong

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” (Psalms 139:7-10 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Omnipresence

OMNIPRES’ENCE, n. s as z. [L. omnis, and presens, present.]
Presence in every place at the same time; unbounded or universal presence; ubiquity. Omnipresence is an attribute peculiar to God.

OMNIPRES’ENT, a. Present in all places at the same time; ubiquitary; as the omnipresent Jehovah.

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3 KJV)

Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) by Lee at Wings of Asia

Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) by Lee at Wings of Asia

Orange-bellied Leafbird

The Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii) is a bird native to the central and eastern Himalayas, Yunnan and northern parts of Southeast Asia. The scientific name commemorates the English naturalist Thomas Hardwicke.

It is brightly coloured with an orange belly, a green back, a blue tail and flight feathers, and a black and blue patch over its throat and chest. It has a long, curved beak. It feeds on insects, spiders and nectar. Orange-bellied leafbirds make their nests from roots and fibers which are suspended from the edges of twigs at the end of a tree branch. They do not migrate. (Chloropseidae – Leafbirds Family) (Wikipedia)

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

From The Archives – Birds of the Bible – Eagle’s Renewal

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Birds of the Bible – Eagle’s Renewal

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Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalms 103:2-5 NKJV)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by AestheticPhotos

The Eagle is an interesting bird and I have written about them before. In the King James Version of the Bible, an eagle is mentioned in 34 verses. So, there will be future articles about the eagle also.

The interest of this article is the renewing of the eagle. In Psalms 103:5 (quoted above), your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. What exactly does that mean? Also, in Isaiah 40:31, strength is renewed and “shall mount up with wings as eagles.”

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

Many articles can be found on the internet about an eagle going off and plucking its feathers and not being able to fly for about five months. The image has even been added that the beak and claws are knocked off and then grow back during that time, giving them another 10 or so more years to their life. I have been trying to find proof of that, and am not finding it. Most Eagle authorities state that that would not happen, because the bird would die during that time with no flight feathers or beak or claws.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)Grandfather Eagle by PastorBBC

If those facts are true, then what is meant by God’s Word about the eagle? I believe God’s Word is true, so there has to be an explanation of it. From the Southwestern Bald Eagle Management I found an interesting chart that shows the different stages of plumage (feathers) as an eagle ages.  They said, “In their five year development to adulthood, bald eagles go through one of the most varied plumage changes of any North American bird. During its first four weeks of life, an eaglet’s fluffy white down changes to a gray wooly down. At about five weeks, brown and black feathers begin to grow. It becomes fully feathered at 10 weeks of age. In its first year, the mostly dark-colored juvenile can often be mistaken as a golden eagle. However, the bald eagle progressively changes until it reaches adult plumage at five years. Notice in the pictures how its dark eye lightens throughout its first four years of life until it becomes yellow. Also, see how its beak changes form gray-black to a vibrant yellow.

ald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by AestheticPhotos

It is believed that the darker, more mottled plumage of a young eagle serves as camouflage, while the white head and tail announce that it is of breeding age.”

That to me sounds a lot like, “So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” As the eagle goes through the different stages of its life, the new feathers are graciously provided by a Creator that sees to the needs of His creation by having designed those features to renew as it matures.

The Lord provides for renewal for His children as they mature. The following verses tell of a renewed right spirit, mind, spirit of your mind, and knowledge:

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 KJV)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2 KJV)
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (Ephesians 4:23 KJV)
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3:10 KJV)

(Update 11/2/11) Here is another possible explaination about this topic. It might be a vulture instead of an eagle. See: http://www.thewonderofbirds.com/griffon-vulture/bible.htm)
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*** From the Archives ***

This is the first of “From the Archives.” We have decided to look back over the years and bring back some of the most popular articles. This post has had 114 remarks so far and was originally posted on  BY . If you want to go to the original post, CLICK HERE. There you will be able to read those remarks. New remarks here are also appreciated.

[We have advanced in our layout of the blog over the year. The Birds of the Bible articles were the original reason for Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures being launched.

 

Avian And Attributes – Nazarene

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Avian And Attributes – Nazarene

Nazca Booby (Sula granti) by Ian

“And he [Joseph] arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:21-23 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Nazarene

Nazarene
(1): (n.) A native or inhabitant of Nazareth; — a term of contempt applied to Christ and the early Christians.

(2): (n.) One of a sect of Judaizing Christians in the first and second centuries, who observed the laws of Moses, and held to certain heresies.

[Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1913)]

Nazca Booby (Sula granti) with Chick ©WikiC

Nazca Booby

The Nazca Booby (Sula granti) is a colonial seabird in the family Sulidae, native to the eastern Pacific.

The species has a yellow iris, orange and pinkish beak, black facial skin in the form of a mask, and grey feet. Adults present white plumage with black tips of the wings and tail. The female is bigger and heavier than the male, has a slightly differently colored beak, and squawks while the male whistles. Chicks are snow white and fluffy, plumage changing to grey along with beak and feet upon fledging.

The species occurs in the eastern Pacific from the islands in Baja California to the Galapagos islands and the Isla de la Plata in Ecuador and Malpelo in Colombia.

The Nazca Booby preys on small fish caught by diving at high speed from flight into the ocean. The main food species is South American pilchard, but also take flying fish, anchovies and squid, especially during the El Niño events, when sardine numbers are low. Because of their sexual dimorphism, females tend to feed on bigger prey and dive deeper. (Sulidae – Gannets, Boobies)

Nazca Booby (Sula granti) ©WikiC

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Majestic

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Avian And Attributes – Majestic

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) ©USFWS

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) ©USFWS

“But there the majestic LORD will be for us A place of broad rivers and streams, In which no galley with oars will sail, Nor majestic ships pass by” (Isaiah 33:21 NKJV)

“After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend.” (Job 37:4-5 NKJV)

Avian and Attributes – Majestic

MAJES’TIC, a. [from majesty.] August; having dignity of person or appearance; grand; princely. The prince was majestic in person and appearance.
1. Splendid; grand.
2. Elevated; lofty.
3. Stately; becoming majesty; as a majestic air or walk.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) Female ©WikiC

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) Female ©WikiC

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)

The Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is a seabird of the frigatebird family Fregatidae. With a length of 89–114 centimetres (35–45 in) it is the largest species of frigatebird. It occurs over tropical and subtropical waters off America, between northern Mexico and Ecuador on the Pacific coast and between Florida and southern Brazil along the Atlantic coast. There are also populations on the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific and the Cape Verde islands in the Atlantic.

The magnificent frigatebird is a large, lightly built seabird with brownish-black plumage, long narrow wings and a deeply forked tail. The male has a striking red gular sac which it inflates to attract a mate. The female is slightly larger than the male and has a white breast and belly. Frigatebirds feed on fish taken in flight from the ocean’s surface (often flying fish), and sometimes indulge in kleptoparasitism, harassing other birds to force them to regurgitate their food.

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Light

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Avian And Attributes – Light

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) by Ian

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) by Ian

INSERT PHOTO

“The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:7-12 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Light

LIGHT, n. lite. [L. lux, light and luceo, to shine. Eng. luck, both in elements and radical sense.]

1. That ethereal agent or matter which makes objects perceptible to the sense of seeing, but the particles of which are separately invisible. It is now generally believed that light is a fluid, or real matter, existing independent of other substances, with properties peculiar to itself. Its velocity is astonishing, as it passes through a space of nearly twelve millions of miles in a minute. Light, when decomposed, is found to consist of rays differently colored; as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The sun is the principal source of light in the solar system; but light is also emitted from bodies ignited, or in combustion, and is reflected from enlightened bodies, as the moon. Light is also emitted from certain putrefying substances. It is usually united with heat, but it exists also independent of it.
2. That flood of luminous rays which flows from the sun and constitutes day. – God called the light day, and the darkness he called night. Gen 1.
3. Day; the dawn of day.
4. Life.
5. Any thing that gives light; as a lamp, candle, taper, lighted tower, star, &c.
I have set thee to be a light to the Gentiles. Acts 13.
And God made two great lights. Gen 1.
7. Illumination of mind; instruction; knowledge.
Light, understanding and wisdom – was found in him. Dan 5.
8. Means of knowing.
11. Explanation; illustration; means of understanding. One part of Scripture throws light on another.
12. Point of view; situation to be seen or viewed; a use of the word taken from painting. It is useful to exhibit a subject in a variety of lights. Let every thought be presented in a strong light. In whatever light we view this event, it must be considered an evil.
15. In Scripture, God, the source of knowledge.
God is light. 1 John 1.
16. Christ.
That was the true light, that lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1.
17. Joy; comfort; felicity. – Light is sown for the righteous. Psa 97.
18. Saving knowledge. – It is because there is no light in them. Isa 8.
19. Prosperity; happiness. – Then shall thy light break forth as the morning. Isa 58.
20. Support; comfort; deliverance. Micah 7.
21. The gospel. Mat 4.
22. The understanding or judgment. Mat 6.
23. The gifts and graces of christians. Mat 5.
24. A moral instructor, as John the Baptist. John 5.
25. A true christian, a person enlightened. Eph 5.
26. A good king, the guide of his people. Sam. 21.
The light of the countenance, favor; smiles. Psa 4.
To come to light, to be detected; to be discovered or found.

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) ©WikiC

LIGHT, a. lite.
1. Having little weight; not tending to the center of gravity with force; not heavy. A feather is light, compared with lead or silver; but a thing is light only comparatively. That which is light to a man, may be heavy to a child. A light burden for a camel, may be insupportable to a horse.

LIGHT, v.t. lite.
1. To kindle; to inflame; to set fire to; as, to light a candle or lamp; sometimes with up; as, to light up an inextinguishable flame. We often hear lit used for lighted as, he lit a candle; but this is inelegant.
2. To give light to.

LIGHT, v.i. lite.
1. To fall on; to come to by chance; to happen to find; with on. [Edited]

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) by Ian 5

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) by Ian 5

Light-mantled Albatross
The Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) also known as the grey-mantled albatross or the light-mantled sooty albatross, is a small albatross in the genus Phoebetria, which it shares with the sooty albatross. The light-mantled albatross was first described as Phoebetria palpebrata by Johann Reinhold Forster, in 1785, based on a specimen from south of the Cape of Good Hope.

Light-mantled albatrosses share some identifying features with other Procellariiformes. They have nasal tubes on the upper bill called naricorns, though with albatrosses these are on the sides of the upper mandible rather than the top. They also have a salt gland above the nasal passage which excretes a concentrated saline solution to maintain osmotic balance, due to the amount of seawater imbibed. The bills of the Procellariiformes are unique in that they are covered with from seven to nine horny plates. These birds produce a stomach oil made up of wax esters and triglycerides that is stored in the proventriculus. This can be sprayed out of their mouths as a defence against predators as well as an energy rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights.

The light-mantled albatross is largely sooty-brown or blackish, darker on the head, with paler upperparts from the nape to the upper tail-coverts which are grey to light grey, the palest on the mantle and back. The plumage has been described as being similar in appearance to the colouring of a Siamese cat. The eyes are partly encircled with thin post-orbital crescents of very short grey feathers. The bill is black with a blue sulcus and a greyish-yellow line along the lower mandible, and is about 105 mm (4.1 in). Measurements show that males and females are similar in size, with average length of 79 to 89 cm (31–35 in), wing-span of 183 to 218 cm (72–86 in), and weight of 2.5 to 3.7 kg (5.5–8.2 lb).

(Diomedeidae – Albatrosses Family) (Light-Mantled Albatross – Wikipedia)

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) by Ian 2

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) by Ian

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Kind

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Avian And Attributes – Kind

Kaempfer’s Woodpecker (Celeus obrieni) ©WikiC

Avian and Attributes – KIND

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (Luke 6:35 KJV)

KIND, a.

1. Disposed to do good to others, and to make them happy by granting their requests, supplying their wants or assisting them in distress; having tenderness or goodness of nature; benevolent; benignant.
God is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil. Luke 6:35
Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted. Eph 4:32

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV)

2. Proceeding from tenderness or goodness of heart; benevolent; as a kind act; a kind return of favors.

aempfer_s Woodpecker (Celeus obrieni) ©Flickr Claudlo Dlas Timm

Kaempfer’s Woodpecker

The Kaempfer’s Woodpecker (Celeus obrieni), also known as Piauí woodpecker, is a species of woodpecker from Brazil.

It has a total length of about 24 centimeters (9½ in). The head and remiges are mainly rufous-chestnut, the underparts and back are buff, the wing-coverts are barred in black and buff and the chest and tail are uniform black. The male has a red malar and mottling on its crest. For comparison, the rufous-headed woodpecker is larger and has extensive black barring on the back and underparts.

Little is known about its habitat preference, but it appears to be associated with bamboo (specifically Guadua paniculata) growing in Cerrado and babassu palm forest; very unlike the humid forest and woodland where the related rufous-headed woodpecker is found. There is no evidence to suggest that it occurs in Caatinga. Rather, the authors who proposed the common name Caatinga woodpecker and association it with the caatinga habitat mistook a place in the caatinga called Uruçuí-Una for the type locality Uruçuí, some 180 km. NNW in cerrado habitat. (Wikipedia) (Picidae – Woodpecker Family)

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Judge

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Avian And Attributes – Judge

Joyful Greenbul (Chlorocichla laetissima) WikiC

“A Psalm of David. Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.” (Psalms 26:1 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Judge

JUDGE, n. [L. judex, supposed to be compounded of jus, law or right, and dico, to pronounce.]

1. A civil officer who is invested with authority to hear and determine causes, civil or criminal, between parties, according to his commission; as the judges of the king’s bench, or of the common pleas; judges of the supreme court, of district courts, or of a county court. The judge of a court of equity is called a chancellor.

2. The Supreme Being.

Shall not the judge of all the earth do right? Gen 18.

“That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25 KJV)

3. One who presides in a court of judicature.

4. One who has skill to decide on the merits of a question, or on the value of any thing; one who can discern truth and propriety.

5. In the history of Israel, a chief magistrate, with civil and military powers. The Israelites were governed by judges more than three hundred years, and the history of their transactions is called the book of Judges.

JUDGE, v.i. [L. judico.]

1. To compare facts or ideas, and perceive their agreement or disagreement, and thus to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Judge not according to the appearance John 7.

3. To hear and determine, as in causes on trial; to pass sentence. He was present on the bench, but could not judge in the case.

The Lord judge between thee and me. Gen 16:5.

JUDGE, v.t. To hear and determine a case; to examine and decide.

1. To try; to examine and pass sentence on.

Take ye him and judge him according to your law. John 18.

God shall judge the righteous and the wicked. Eccl 3.

“I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” (Ecclesiastes 3:17 KJV)

2. Rightly to understand and discern.

3. To censure rashly; to pass severe sentence.

Judge not, that ye be not judged. Mat 7.

5. To rule or govern.

The Lord shall judge his people. Heb 10.

“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:30-31 KJV)

6. To doom to punishment; to punish.

I will judge thee according to thy ways. Ezek 7.

Joyful Greenbul (Chlorocichla laetissima) Flickr Dave Curtis

Joyful Greenbul

The Joyful Greenbul (Chlorocichla laetissima), or joyful bulbul, is a species of songbird in the bulbul family, Pycnonotidae. It is found in east-central Africa. Its natural habitats are boreal forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. 

The bulbuls are a family, Pycnonotidae, of medium-sized passerine songbirds. Many forest species are known as greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves, or bristlebills. The family is distributed across most of Africa and into the Middle East, tropical Asia to Indonesia, and north as far as Japan. A few insular species occur on the tropical islands of the Indian Ocean There are over 150 species in 27 genera. While some species are found in most habitats, the African species are predominantly found in rainforest whilst rainforest species are rare in Asia, instead preferring more open areas.  (Pycnonotidae – Bulbul Family)  (Wikipedia)

Joyful Greenbul (Chlorocichla laetissima) Flickr Peter Steward

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Invisible

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Avian And Attributes – Invisible

Invisible Rail (Habroptila wallacii) ©Rob Hutchinson-Birdtour Asia

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” (Romans 1:20 KJV)

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:15-17 KJV)

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Invisible

INVIS’IBLE, a. s as z. [L. invisibilis; in and visibilis, viso, to see.] That cannot be seen; imperceptible by the sight. Millions of stars, invisible to the naked eye, may be seen by the telescope.

He endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Heb 11.

“By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27 KJV)

Invisible Rail (Habroptila wallacii) ©Stamp WikiC

The Invisible Rail, Wallace’s Rail, or Drummer Rail (Habroptila wallacii) is a large flightless rail that is endemic to the island of Halmahera in North Maluku, Indonesia, where it inhabits impenetrable sago swamps adjacent to forests. Its plumage is predominantly dark slate-grey, and the bare skin around its eyes, the long, thick bill, and the legs are all bright red. Its call is a low drumming sound which is accompanied by wing-beating. The difficulty of seeing this shy bird in its dense habitat means that information on its behaviour is limited.

Recorded dietary items include sago shoots and insects, and it also swallows small stones to help break up its food. It is apparently monogamous, but little else is known of its courtship behaviour. The only known nest was a shallow bowl in the top of a rotting tree stump that was lined with wood chips and dry leaves. The two young chicks were entirely covered in black down typical of precocial newly hatched rails. The estimated population of 3,500–15,000 birds and the restricted range mean that the invisible rail is classified as vulnerable

Invisible Rail (Habroptila wallacii) ©Drawing WikiC

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Woods, Water, and Winged Wonders

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Woods, Water, and Winged Wonders

Dr. James J. S. Johnson

Dan's Wood Stork Tree up close

WOOD STORKS in evergreen tree   (photo by Dan Dusing)

He sends the springs into the valleys;
They flow among the hills.

They give drink to every beast of the field;
The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

By them the birds of the heavens have their home;
They sing among the branches. …

The trees of the Lord are full of sap,
The cedars of Lebanon which He planted,

Where the birds make their nests;
The stork has her home in the fir trees.

(Psalm 104:10-12 & 104:16-17)

Psalm104.17-SlidePlayer.com-storks

WOOD STORKS in tree   ( image credit:  SlidePlayer.com )

Springs and rain fall water the hills.  Wooded hills provide myriads of branches useful for avian nests, providing a hospitable habitat for birds of many kinds.  (Of course, the ecological fact that thriving trees facilitate homes for thriving birds is nothing new — see Daniel 4:11-12).  So, if rainfall is adequate, trees thrive – and where you find trees you also find birds, many birds of many different kinds. Forests are homes for owls, corvids, cardinals, hawks, wood ducks, doves, storks, and miscellaneous passerines galore!

BIRDWATCHING  IN  FOREST  HABITATS

Watch birds as they fly or they walk;

See their plumage and hear them talk!

Look for bird neighborhoods

In green, well-watered woods:

Homes for woodpecker, jay, owl and hawk!

So, take a trek through the woods  –  you should like the hike!   Walk and gawk.  (Is there a fowl on a bough?  Do birds perch on a birch?)  Wherever woods and water abound, look for winged wonders!

StellersJay-evergreen.iStock-Getty

STELLER’S JAY on evergreen tree branch   (iStock / Getty image)

 

 

Avian And Attributes – Helper

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Avian And Attributes – Helper

Hamerkop at National Aviary by Dan

“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Hebrews 13:6 KJV)

“Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.” (Psalms 54:4 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Helper

HELP’ER, n. One that helps, aids or assists; an assistant; an auxiliary.

1. One that furnishes or administers a remedy.
Compassion–is oftentimes a helper of evils.

“For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.” (Psalms 72:12 KJV)

2. One that supplies with any thing wanted; with to.
“Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.” (Psalms 30:10 KJV)

3. A supernumerary servant.

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) by Africaddict

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta)

The Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), is a medium-sized wading bird. It is the only living species in the genus Scopus and the family Scopidae. The shape of its head with a long bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, which has given this species its name. It ranges from Africa, Madagascar to Arabia, in wetlands of a wide variety, including estuaries, lakesides, fish ponds, riverbanks and rocky coasts in Tanzania. The Hamerkop, which is a sedentary bird that often show local movements, is not globally threatened and is locally abundant in Africa and Madagascar. (Scopidae – Hamerkop Family)

Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta) at National Aviary by Lee

More Avian and Attributes

Birds whose first name starts with “H”

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]

Avian And Attributes – Gracious

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Avian And Attributes – Gracious

Graceful Honeyeater (Meliphaga gracilis) by Ian at Birdway

Graceful Honeyeater (Meliphaga gracilis) by Ian at Birdway

“And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
(Exodus 34:5-6 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Gracious

GRA’CIOUS, a. [L. gratiosus.]

1. Favorable; kind; friendly; as, the envoy met with a gracious reception.

2. Favorable; kind; benevolent; merciful; disposed to forgive offenses and impart unmerited blessings.
Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful. Neh 9.

“And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.” (Nehemiah 9:17 KJV)

3. Favorable; expressing kindness and favor.
All bore him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded from his mouth. Luke 4.

“And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.” (Luke 4:24 KJV)

4. Proceeding from divine grace; as a person in a gracious state.

5. Acceptable; favored.
He made us gracious before the kings of Persia. [Little used.] 1 Esdras.

6. Renewed or implanted by grace; as gracious affections.

7. Virtuous; good.

8. Excellent; graceful; becoming

Graceful Honeyeater (Meliphaga gracilis) by Ian

Graceful Honeyeater

“The Graceful Honeyeater (Meliphaga gracilis) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is found in the Aru Islands, southern New Guinea and Cape York Peninsula. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.” (Wikipedia)

“It feeds on nectar, fruit and insects. Forages in canopy, mid-canopy (including in crowns of substage trees) and understorey shrubs.” (HBW)

(Meliphagidae – Honeyeaters Family)

Graceful Honeyeater (Meliphaga gracilis) ©WikiC

More Avian and Attributes

Birds whose first name starts with “G”

Good News

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[Definitions from Webster’s Dictionary of American English (1828), unless noted. Bird info from Wikipedia plus.]