Category Archives: Export to Leesbird

Avian And Attributes – Mocking

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Mocking Cliff Chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) Female ©WikiC

“Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.” (Matthew 27:41-43 KJV) [While the were mocking Christ, He did not say anything.]

Avian and Attributes – Mocking

MOCK’ING, ppr. Imitating in contempt; mimicking; ridiculing by mimicry; treating with sneers and scorn; defeating; deluding.
MOCK’ING, n. Derision; insult.

Mocking Cliff Chat (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) Male ©WikiC

The Mocking Cliff Chat, mocking chat or cliff chat, (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) is a species of chat in the family Muscicapidae which occurs in rocky habitats in much of eastern Sub-Saharan Africa.

The mocking cliff chat is a large chat with distinctive colouration. The male has a glossy black with a chestnut belly, vent, and rump and white shoulder patches. The shoulder patches vary in size geographically. The female is dark grey with a chestnut lower breast, belly, and vent. The mocking cliff chat has a length of 19–21 cm and weighs 41–51g.

The mocking cliff chat inhabits rocky and boulder-strewn areas, well-wooded rocky ravines, cliffs, gullies, boulder-strewn hillsides and watercourses in valley bottoms with scattered rocks.

A loud fluty melodious warbling song which often contains many rapid-fire phrases mimicking other species, with some harsher phrases interspersed.

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Birds whose first name starts with “M”

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

“For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13 KJV)

Avian And Attributes – Magnificent

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Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) by Ian

“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB)

Avian and Attributes – Magnificent

MAGNIF’ICENT, a. Grand in appearance; splendid; pompous.
Man he made, and for him built
Magnificent this world.
1. Exhibiting grandeur.

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:4 KJV)

EXCEE’DING, ppr. Going beyond; surpassing; excelling; outdoing.
1. Great in extent, quantity or duration; very extensive.
2. adv. In a very great degree; unusually; as exceeding rich.
I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen 15.
EXCEE’DING, n. Excess; superfluity.

Magnificent Bird-of-paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus) ©WikiC

Magnificent Bird-of-paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus) is distributed amongst the hill and mid-mountain forests of New Guinea and surrounding islands. Their diet consists mainly of fruits. Like most members of the family Paradisaeidae, the male is polygamous and performs an elaborate courtship display.

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) ©USFWS

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.

Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) by Ian

Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) by Ian

Magnificent Riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) is a species of passerine bird of the Paradisaeidae family. The magnificent riflebird is widely distributed throughout lowland rainforests of western New Guinea and the northern Cape York Peninsula.
Medium-sized (up to 34 cm long). the male is velvet-black bird-of-paradise with elongated black filamental flank plumes, an iridescent blue-green crown, a wide, triangle-shaped breast shield, and on central tail feathers. It has a black curved bill, yellow mouth, blackish feet and a dark brown iris. The female is brownish with dark spots and buff bars below with a white brow. The immature male resembles the male but with less tail plumes.

Males perform solitary courtship displays on a ‘dancing perch’. During these displays, the male fully extends his wings and raises his tail; he hops upward while swinging his head from side to side, showing off his metallic blue-green breast shield. Multiple females will observe these displays. Mated females subsequently build nests, incubate, brood, and feed young without male assistance.

Magnificent Sunbird (Aethopyga magnifica) ©WikiC Drawing

Magnificent Sunbird (Aethopyga magnifica) is a species of bird in the sunbird family which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed most of the time. It is endemic to the western Philippines and was once considered a subspecies of the crimson sunbird.

More Avian and Attributes

Birds whose first name starts with “M”

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

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10 KJV)

Learning from our Birds – The Leap of Faith – Re-post

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My Christian friends I have met through blogging, Aussiebirder, just put out a very interesting and applicable application for faith. Please check out this blog:

The most interesting observation as a scientist that I have made over my years of birding and photographing birds is that of capturing what is termed the leap of faith. This phenomena is usually only observed in small passerines (tree perching birds) and not so much in larger species where much more effort is required to become airborne. The above photo was my first observation, taken of a Lord Howe Island Golden Whistler male leaping off a branch, into the air, quite confidently, with wings closed. My camera had caught something my limited human eye had not.

Avian And Attributes – Lord

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Lord Derby’s Parakeet (Psittacula derbiana) ©WikiC

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;” (Acts 17:24 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Lord

LORD, n.
1. A master; a person possessing supreme power and authority; a ruler; a governor.
Man over man he made not lord.
But now I was the lord of this fair mansion.
2. A tyrant; an oppressive ruler.
3. A husband.
I oft in bitterness of soul deplores my absent daughter, and my dearer lord.
My lord also being old. Gen 18.
4. A baron; the proprietor of a manor; as the lord of the manor.
5. A nobleman; a title of honor in Great Britain
6. An honorary title bestowed on certain official characters; as lord advocate, lord chamberlain, lord chancellor, lord chief justice, &c.
7. In scripture, the Supreme Being; Jehovah. When Lord, in the Old Testament, is prints in capitals, it is the translation of JEHOVAH, and so might, with more propriety, be rendered. The word is applied to Christ, Psa 110. Col 3. and to the Holy Spirit, 2 Th 3. As a title of respect, it is applied to kings, Gen 40. 2 Sam 19. to princes and nobles, Gen 42. Dan 4. to a husband, Gen 18. to a prophet, 1 Ki 18. 2 Ki 2. and to a respectable person, Gen 24. Christ is called the Lord of glory, 1 Cor 2. and Lord of lords, Rev 19.
LORD, v.t. To invest with the dignity and privileges of a lord.
LORD, v.i. To domineer; to rule with arbitrary or despotic sway; sometimes followed by over, and sometimes by it, in the manner of a transitive verb.

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1 Thessalonians 5:9 KJV)

Lord Derby's Parakeet (Psittacula derbiana) by Wilhelma Zoo©WikiC

Lord Derby’s Parakeet (Psittacula derbiana) by Wilhelma Zoo©WikiC

Lord Derby’s Parakeet (Psittacula derbiana), also known as Derbyan parakeet, is a monotypic parrot species, which is confined to small pocket of moist evergreen forest in the hills and mountains of the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and adjoining parts of Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan in China. The species suffers from cutting of old trees (important for nesting sites) and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. The adult male and female are easily distinguished because they have different beak colours and slightly different plumage.
The name of this bird commemorates Edward Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby

Lord Howe Gerygone (Gerygone insularis) ©Drawing WikiC

Lord Howe Gerygone (Gerygone insularis) was a small bird in the family Acanthizidae, brown and greyish in color. Its head was brown apart from a pale grey eye-ring and a grey throat and chin, many parts of the animal varied to the colour of yellow, this being apparent in its bright yellow belly. It made its home in the canopies of the island’s forest until the early 20th century. The bird has had a variety of monikers: locally, it was known as the “rain-bird” due to its activity after the rains, or the “pop-goes-the-weasel”, due to the similarity of its song to the well-known tune. The bird was endemic to Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.

Lord Howe Parakeet (Cyanoramphus subflavescens †) ©Drawing WikiC

Lord Howe Parakeet (Cyanoramphus subflavescens), also known as the Lord Howe red-fronted parakeet, is an extinct parrot endemic to Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea, part of New South Wales, Australia. It was described as full species by Tommaso Salvadori in 1891, but subsequently, it has been regarded as subspecies of the red-crowned parakeet.

Lord Howe Woodhen (Gallirallus sylvestris) by Ian 1

Lord Howe Woodhen (Gallirallus sylvestris) by Ian 

Lord Howe Woodhen (Gallirallus sylvestris), also known as the Lord Howe Island woodhen or Lord Howe (Island) rail, is a flightless bird of the rail family, (Rallidae). It is endemic to Lord Howe Island off the Australian coast.

More Avian and Attributes

Birds whose first name starts with “L”

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

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 KJV)

*** I am still tracking down those broken links. That is one reason the blogs haven’t come out as frequently as before. Stay tuned! ***

I Sing Th’ Almighty Power Of God – Isaac Watts

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On Sunday, one of our congregational songs was: I Sing Th’ Almighty Power Of God by Isaac Watts. When we sang the second verse, I couldn’t help but think about the creation of the birds. What a great song, what a Great Creator!

“And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:19-25 KJV)

Mountain Goat at Mount Massive ©WikiC

Mountain Goat at Mount Massive ©WikiC

We sing the mighty power of God
that made the mountains rise,
that spread the flowing seas abroad
and built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that ordained
the sun to rule the day;
the moon shines full at his command,
and all the stars obey.

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) for ajmithra's article

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides)

We sing the goodness of the Lord
that filled the earth with food;
he formed the creatures with his word 
and then pronounced them good. 
Lord, how your wonders are displayed, 
where’er we turn our eyes, 
if we survey the ground we tread 
or gaze upon the skies. 

Landscape at Parrot Mountain

There’s not a plant or flower below
but makes your glories known,
and clouds arise and tempests blow
by order from your throne;
while all that borrows life from you
is ever in your care,
and everywhere that we can be,
you, God, are present there.

From the Psalter Hymnal, 1987

Mixed Flock Flyiing 122717 Merritt Is NWR by Lee
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH on thistle (Fredric D. Nisenholz / Birds & Blooms)
BUFFLEHEAD male (Wikipedia)
House Crow (Corvus splendens) by Nikhil Devasar
House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) (1) by Raymond Barlow
Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus) ©WikiC
Glistening-green Tanager (Chlorochrysa phoenicotis) Female ©BirdPhotos.com
Northern Pika (Ochotona hyperorea) ©WikiC 2017 Photo Winner
Friendly Fantail (Rhipidura albolimbata) ©Flickr Bernard Spragg
Red-Shouldered-Hawk Lucas Texas
Fire-breasted Flowerpecker (Dicaeum ignipectus) by Nikhil Devasar
Emerald Tanager (Tangara florida) ©WikiC
Eared Pitta (Hydrornis phayrei) ©WikiC
Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris) by Ian
AMERICAN TURKEYS Schuylkill Center for Envir’l Educ’n photo
Red Junglefowl (wild equivalent of domestic chicken) Frederic Pelsey photo
Spotted Thick-knee (Burhinus capensis) by Lee at Jax Zoo
Lanceolated Monklet (Micromonacha lanceolata) WikiC
WHINCHAT photo credit: Parrotletsuk.typepad.com
Double-banded Sandgrouse (Pterocles bicinctus) by kudu©©
Violet-) Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica) ©WikiC
Oriental Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) ©WikiC
Little Penguin (Eudyptula minor) Family exiting burrow. ©WikiC
Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) ©WikiC
Bald Eagle landing ©CC0 Pixabay
Snowy Egret up close at Gatorland by Lee
Gator and Egret at Gatorland by Lee
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) ©Elaine R Wilson WikiC
Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) ©WikiC
Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) by Ian
White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) by Margaret Sloan
Yellow-crowned Bishop (Euplectes afer) ©WikiC
Unspotted Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius ridgwayi) ©Knut Eisermann – Macaulay Library
NORTHERN FLICKER (red-shafted form) photo credit: Evergreen State College
NORTHERN FLICKER (yellow-shafted form) photo credit: BioQuick News
Nazca Booby (Sula granti) by Ian
Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) ©WikiC
aempfer_s Woodpecker (Celeus obrieni) ©Flickr Claudlo Dlas Timm
Flame Robin (Petroica phoenicea) ©WikiC
Black Skimmer in Texas by Dan
Red-crested Turaco at Brevard Zoo by Lee
Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) ©Smediacache
Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) by Ian
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) ©WikiC
James’s Flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) Mating Ritual ©WikiC

I.O.C. Version 8.1 Update Completed

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Yellow-Breasted Chat (Icteria virens) USGS

Yellow-Breasted Chat (Icteria virens) USGS

“The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.” (Isaiah 34:14 KJV)

The I.O.C. Version 8.1 Update is finally completed on this blog. After issues with my Excel spreadsheet, all the pages are now current. It must have been some feathers from that family of birds they through up in the air. :) See: Hang On To Your Hat – I.O.C. 8.1 Update Underway the Thamnophilidae – Antbirds Family).

There actually was so many changes that I am only going to mention some of them. Here are the new families. The birds were taken from various families and given new places to dwell. Listed are the families at the end of the Passeriformes Order. Some were divided and others had avian wonders pulled from families and placed in these new ones. DNA research is the reason for Most of this shuffling.

Western Chat-Tanager (Calyptophilus tertius) ©Flickr Rafy Rodriguez

Emberizidae – Buntings – Split of New World Sparrows
Passerellidae – New World Sparrows – New
Calyptophilidae – Chat-tanagers – New
Phaenicophilidae – Hispaniolan Tanagers – New
Nesospingidae – Puerto Rican Tanager – New
Spindalidae – Spindalises – New
Zeledoniidae – Wrenthrush – New
Teretistridae – Cuban Warblers – New
Icteriidae – Yellow-breasted Chat – New
Icteridae – Oropendolas, Orioles and Blackbirds – Same
Parulidae – New World Warblers – Gave up birds
Mitrospingidae – Mitrospingid Tanagers – New
Cardinalidae – Cardinals, Grosbeaks and allies – Same
Thraupidae – Tanagers and allies – Gave up birds

“The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted; Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.” (Psalms 104:16-17 KJV)

I realize that for most casual birdwatchers, this means very little. Yet, some birders take photos, myself included, and we like to put the correct name on the birds. Also, my photos are stored by families. This helps when writing articles or just trying to find a photo. The desire is that these updates also assist those reading and using the blog.

There are other changes and the best way to find them is by going to these pages from the I.O.C.:

Be sure to check out the Birds of the World pages:

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Avian And Attributes – Horn(ed)

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Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) ©WikiC

“The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.” (2 Samuel 22:3 KJV)

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalms 18:2 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – Horn

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;” (Luke 1:68-69 KJV)

HORN, n. [L. cornu]
1. A hard substance growing on the heads of certain animals, and particularly on cloven-footed quadrupeds; usually projecting to some length and terminating in a point. Horns are generally bent or curving, and those of some animals are spiral. They serve for weapons of offense and defense. The substance of horns is gelatinous, and in Papin’s digester it may be converted into jelly.
Horn is an animal substance, chiefly membranous, consisting of coagulated albumen, with a little gelatin and phosphate of lime.
The horns of deer possess exactly the properties of bone, and are composed of the same constituents, only the proportion of cartilage is greater.
2. A wind instrument of music, made of horn; a trumpet. Such were used by the Israelites.
3. In modern times, a wind instrument made of metal.
10. In Scripture, horn is a symbol of strength or power.
The horn of Moab is cut off. Jer 48.
Horn is also an emblem of glory, honor, dignity.
My horn is exalted in the Lord. 1 Sam 2.
In Daniel, horn represents a kingdom or state. [Edited]

Hornbills and Horned Birds

Crowned Hornbill (Lophoceros alboterminatus) ©WikiC
White-crested Hornbill (Horizocerus albocristatus albocristatus) SD Zoo
Hornbill by Dan
White-crested Hornbill (Horizocerus albocristatus albocristatus) SD Zoo
Missing the tip of its beak
Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus) Eye at Brevard Zoo by Lee
Hornbill at Brevard Zoo by Dan Aug-2014
Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) Central Florida Zoo by Lee
Wreathed Hornbill Juvenile Male CF Zoo by Lee
Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) Female CF Zoo by Lee
Hornbill Friarbird (Philemon yorki) by Tom Tarrant
Southern Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) Brevard Zoo by Dan
Abyssinian Ground Hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus) (Female) River Banks Zoo by Dan
Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) Riverbanks Zoo by Dan
Von der Decken’s Hornbill (Tockus deckeni) by Dan
Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) by Dan
Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus) ©WikiC
Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris) ©WikiC
African Pied Hornbill (Tockus fasciatus) ©WikiC
Wrinkled Hornbill female Brevard Zoo by Dan thru the cage
Sulawesi Hornbill (Penelopides exarhatus) LPZoo 3-8-12
Von der Decken’s Hornbill (Tockus deckeni) by Lee
Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros) -Malaysia by Ian
Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata) ©Wiki
Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus) ©WikiC
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) ©WikiC
Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta) by JyrkiHokkanen©©
Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta) ©WikiC
Great Horned Owl Youngsters at Circle B Bar Reserve by Lee
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) by J Fenton
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) by J Fenton
Horned Parakeet, (Nymphicus cornutus) (above) and Ouvea Parakeet, Nymphicus uvaensis) ©WikiC
Horned Parakeet (Eunymphicus cornutus) ©WikiC
Horned Parakeet by Ian
Great Horned Owl at Flamingo Gardens by Lee
Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus) ©ArthurGrosset
Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus) ©ArthurGrosset
Scarlet-horned Manakin (Ceratopipra cornuta) ©©Flickr JerryOldenettel
Horned Screamer (Anhima cornuta) ©WikiC
Horned Guan (Oreophasis derbianus) ©WikiC
Horned Curassow (Pauxi unicornis) ©©WikiC
Horned Coot (Fulica cornuta) ©©Flickr Gunnar Engblom
Horned Coot ©Arthur Grosset
Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) ©WikiC
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) ©Wiki
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) by Bob-Nan
Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus) w young ©USFWS
Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) by Nikhil Devasar

Hornbill Friarbird
Hornbills
Hornby’s Storm Petrel
Horned Coot
Horned Curassow
Horned Grebe
Horned Guan
Horned Lark
Horned Parakeet
Horned Puffin
Horned Screamer
Horned Sungem

More Avian and Attributes

Birds whose first name starts with “H”

Birds whose last name starts with “H”

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

Dividing the Buntings and Sparrows – I.O.C. 8.1

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Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) ©WikiC

Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? (Job 37:16 KJV)

This latest I.O.C. list of World Bird Names is quite an undertaking. As these ornithologists from around the world gain information from the DNA studies, their thinking of Bird Families change. When the Lord created the world and the birds, He placed the DNA in living creatures and man, knowing that one day it would be discovered. With that said, they keep arranging birds different families.

The New World Sparrows and the Buntings were placed in one family called Emberizidae. Now the 44 Buntings own that family – Emberizidae – Buntings and the 136 New World Sparrows have been pulled out and are now in the new Passerellidae – New World Sparrows Family.

Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) by Dan

Sudan Golden Sparrow (Passer luteus) by Dan

I realize many casual birdwatchers do well to put a name on a bird, let alone know what family to which they belong. Yet, when you look in a Bird Guide to find the name of the bird, it helps to know that they are divided into families.

This is just one of the new pages that have been adding to this site with the newest IOC update. Stay tuned, I’m still building pages. I have 8 or 9 more I am in the process of completing.

Emberizidae – Buntings

Passerellidae – New World Sparrows

New World Sparrows (Passerellidae) | HBW Alive

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Avian And Attributes – Imperial

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Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) by Daves BirdingPix

Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) by Daves BirdingPix

“Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” (Isaiah 62:3 KJV)

“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.” (Job 29:14 KJV)

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all.” (Psalms 103:19 NASB)

“that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time–He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” (1 Timothy 6:14-15 NASB)

Avian and Attributes – Imperial

IMPE’RIAL, a. [L.imperialis, from impero, to command. See Emperor.]
1. Pertaining to an empire, or to an emperor; as an imperial government; an imperial diadem; imperial authority or edict; imperial power or sway.
2. Royal; belonging to a monarch; as an imperial palace; imperial arts.
3. Pertaining to royalty; denoting sovereignty.
4. Commanding; maintaining supremacy; as the imperial democracy of Athens.
[Edited]

(I pushed it a little today, but the definition of Imperial would definitely refer to Christ’s attributes and sovereignty.)

Bird Info

Imperial Amazon (Amazona imperialis)

The Imperial Amazon or the dominican amazon (Amazona imperialis), also known as the sisserou, is a parrot found only on the Caribbean island of Dominica. It has been designated as the national bird of Dominica.

Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) by W Kwong

Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) by W Kwong

The Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) is a black and white cormorant native to southern South America, primarily in rocky coastal regions, but locally also at large inland lakes. Some taxonomic authorities, including the International Ornithologists’ Union, place it in the genus Leucocarbo, others in the genus Phalacrocorax . It is also known as the blue-eyed shag, blue-eyed cormorant

Imperial Snipe (Gallinago imperialis) ©Drawing WikiC

The Imperial Snipe (Gallinago imperialis) is a small stocky wader which breeds in the Andes. For a century it was known only from two specimens collected near Bogotá, Colombia, and was presumed extinct, but it was rediscovered in Peru in 1967 and Ecuador in 1988. It is not known if it is migratory.

Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) M & F Specimen WikiC

Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) M & F Specimen WikiC

The Imperial Woodpecker (Campephilus imperialis) is a species of bird, a member of the woodpecker family Picidae. The genus Campephilus is essentially a tropical one, embracing 13 species, including the imperial woodpecker. If it is not extinct, it is the world’s largest woodpecker species, at 56–60 cm (22–23.5 in) long.

Pied Imperial Pigeon (Ducula bicolor) by Dan

Imperial Pigeons – Many
Ducula is a major genus of the pigeon family Columbidae, collectively known as imperial pigeons. They are large to very large pigeons with a heavy build and medium to long tails. They are arboreal, feed mainly on fruit and are closely related to the other genus of fruit-eating doves, Ptilinopus. Both genera display brightly coloured plumage, predominantly green, often with contrasting under-parts of purple, orange or red. Some Ducula have prominently swollen ceres. They have large gapes and swallow seeds whole, playing an important role in seed dispersal.

More Avian and Attributes

Birds whose first name starts with “I”

Birds whose last name starts with “I”

Good News

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12 KJV)

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

Hang On To Your Hat – I.O.C. 8.1 Update Underway

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Mixed Flock Eating 122717 Merritt Is NWR by Lee

“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8 KJV)

The new I.O.C. 8.1 Update was released on the 25th of January and I began updating this blog. There were a few minor changes at the beginning of the Taxonomic Order. They added a Sclater’s Crowned Pigeon and deleted the Ruwenzori Nightjar. (Simple enough). Then the Raja Shelduck (Tadorna radjah) became the (Radjah radjah) and the Grey Noddy (Anous albivittus became albivitta)

Four more birds had name changes; White-headed Stilt to Pied Stilt, Southern Crowned Pigeon to Scheepmaker’s Crowned Pigeon, Indigo-crowned Quail-Dove to Purple Quail Dove, and the Admirable Hummingbird is now the Talamanca Hummingbird. Okay so far.

Mixed Flock Flyiing 122717 Merritt Is NWR by Lee

When we were at Merritt Island NWR in late December. There was a mixed flock of birds along the trail eating and drinking, then something spooked them and they all flew up at once and scattered. (Photo taken through the windshield) Why mention this?

Mixed Flock Flyiing 122717 Merritt Is NWR by Lee

The Antbirds, of the Thamnophilidae Family, were relaxing in their Taxonomy order within the family until the IOC decided to throw them all up in the air. All 236 have landed in a totally different sequence than before. So, the dust is flying as I am working on the newest update.

Stay tuned! This is just the beginning. There were eight new families created from others as we get further down the Taxonomic order of these families. I’ll let you know when some more family pages are updated. (I have been basically reworking this site.)

Once some dusk clears, I’ll present the links to the Families. [This dust is not helping my bronchitis. :) (of which I am about over with.)]

Birds of the World

Bufflehead Duck, One of Diverse Divers at Aransas Bay

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 Bufflehead Duck, One of Diverse Divers at Aransas Bay

Dr. James J. S. Johnson

Bufflehead-male.TorontoCanada-Wikipedia

BUFFLEHEAD male (Wikipedia)

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. (Genesis 1:22)

Diverse birds have lived and thrived upon planet Earth ever since God created bird-life on Day #5 of Creation Week. One of the major categories of God’s avian inventory are the waterfowl we call “ducks”, some of which dive to get their food. The Bufflehead duck is one such diving duck (in contrast to perching duck, dabbling ducks, and whistling ducks), and is described on the Sea Duck Joint Venture website as follows:

Bufflehead  [Bucephala albeola] The bufflehead is the smallest diving duck in North America. Males weigh about 450 g (1 lb.) and females 325 g (11 oz.). Breeding males are striking with a black head glossed green and purple, a large white patch covering the back of the head, a black back, white underparts, and black wings with a large white patch covering most of the inner wing.

[Quoting from https://seaduckjv.org/meet-the-sea-ducks/bufflehead/ .]

Bufflehead-female.TorontoCanada-Wikipedia

BUFFLEHEAD female (Wikipedia)

The Bufflehead female, however, is mostly brownish-hued, with grey sides and breast, white underside, and a white cheek patch that is shaped like an oval, almost like the shape of a fallen bowling pin. [See Kevin T. Karlson, “Waterfowl of North America:  A Comprehensive Guide to All Species”, page 10.]

The Bufflehead’s cousins include the goldeneye ducks, such as the Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) and Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica).

As the range map below shows, the Bufflehead breeds mostly in Alaska and Canada, migrating south into more than half of America’s Lower 48 for over-wintering.

Bufflehead-range.SeaDuckJV.org-map

BUFFLEHEAD range map / North America (Sea Duck Joint Venture photo)

During an over-wintering season, on March 11th of AD1996, I first saw a Bufflehead duck – it was in the part of Aransas Bay (part of the Texas Gulf coast), while visiting Aransas Bay and Aransas Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

That same day my family and I saw many other “winter Texan” migrants (as well as some year-round residents), including several “lifers”:  Whooping Crane, Brown Pelican, Pelican, Least Tern, Bonaparte’s Gull, Herring Gull, Laughing Gull, American Coot,  Short-billed Dowitcher, Western Sandpiper, Black Skimmer, Black-necked Stilt, American Oystercatcher, Common Goldeneye, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Louisiana Heron, Roseate Spoonbill, White Ibis, and Western Kingbird —  not to mention many other birds seen previously elsewhere (e.g., Sandhill Crane, Blue-winged Teal, Great Blue Heron, White Pelican, Double-crested Cormorant, Common Grackle, Western Kingbird, Loggerhead Shrike, etc.)!

Aransas-County-map.TexasAlmanac

Obviously, early March (and winter in general) is a good time for coastal wetland birdwatching at Aransas Bay! What a pleasant time it was, hour after hour, witnessing Gods’ love of variety, exhibited in those beautiful bayside birds!

God loves variety — so should we!  (For more on this, see my article “Valuing God’s Variety”, ACTS & FACTS, 42(9):8-9 (September 2012), posted at  http://www.icr.org/article/6939 .]

So, if you get the opportunity, check out Aransas Bay National Wildlife Refuge for yourself — unless a hurricane is approaching.  (It’s always good to check the weather forecast before you undertake a serious birding adventure.)

Bufflehead-flying.SanLuisObispo-California-BillBouton

BUFFLEHEAD male in flight (Bill Bouton photo)

 

Avian And Attributes – House

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House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) by Ian

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) by Ian

“LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.” (Psalms 26:8 KJV)

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” (Psalms 27:4 KJV)

“A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalms 122:1 KJV)

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23 KJV)

Avian and Attributes – House

HOUSE, n. hous. [L. casa; Heb. to put on, to cover.]
1. In a general sense, a building or shed intended or used as a habitation or shelter for animals of any kind; but appropriately, a building or edifice for the habitation of man; a dwelling place, mansion or abode for any of the human species. It may be of any size and composed of any materials whatever, wood, stone, brick, &c.
2. An edifice or building appropriated to the worship of God; a temple; a church; as the house of God.
3. A monastery; a college; as a religious house.
6. A family of ancestors; descendants and kindred; a race of persons from the same stock; a tribe. It particularly denotes a noble family or an illustrious race; as the house of Austria; the house of Hanover. So in Scripture, the house of Israel,or of Judah.
7. One of the estates of a kingdom assembled in parliament or legislature; a body of men united in their legislative capacity, and holding their place by right or by election. Thus we say, the house of lords or peers of Great Britain; the house of commons; the house of representatives. In most of the United States, the legislatures consist of two houses, the senate, and the house of representatives or delegates.
9. In Scripture, those who dwell in a house and compose a family; a household.
Cornelius was a devout man, and feared God with all his house. Acts 10.
10. Wealth; estate. – Ye devour widows’ houses. Mat 23.
11. The grave; as the house appointed for all living. Job 30.
12. Household affairs; domestic concerns. – Set thy house in order. 2 Ki 20.
13. The body; the residence of the soul in this world; as our earthly house. 2 Cor 5.
14. The church among the Jews. – Moses was faithful in all his house. Heb 3.
15. A place of residence. Egypt is called the house of bondage. Exo 13.

House Birds

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Eggs ©WikiC

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) Eggs ©WikiC

“Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God.” (Psalms 84:3 KJV)

There are six birds whose first name is House. Here are the “House Birds;” House Bunting, House Crow, House Finch, House Sparrow, House Swift, and the House Wren.

House Bunting (Emberiza sahari) ©WikiC

The House Bunting (Emberiza sahari) is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae. It is a resident breeder of dry country from north-western Africa from Morocco south to Mali and east to Chad. The house bunting breeds around human habitation, laying two to four eggs in a nest in a hole in a wall or building. Its natural food consists seeds, or when feeding young, insects.

House Crow (Corvus splendens) by Nikhil Devasar

The House Crow (Corvus splendens), also known as the Indian, greynecked, Ceylon or Colombo crow, is a common bird of the crow family that is of Asian origin but now found in many parts of the world, where they arrived assisted by shipping.

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) by Ian

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) by Ian

The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is native to western North America, and has been introduced to the eastern half of the continent and Hawaii. This species and the other “American rosefinches” are placed in the genus Haemorhous.

House Sparrows watching Parrot show at National Aviary by Lee

House Sparrows at National Aviary by Lee

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a bird of the sparrow family Passeridae, found in most parts of the world.

House Swift (Apus nipalensis) ©WikiC

The House Swift (Apus nipalensis) is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is found in Japan, Nepal, and Southeast Asia. It is capable of flying long distances by alternately shutting off hemispheres of their brain in-flight.

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) by Ray

House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) by Ray

The House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) is a very small songbird of the wren family, Troglodytidae. It occurs from Canada to southernmost South America, and is thus the most widely distributed bird in the Americas.

More Avian and Attributes

Birds whose first name start with “H”

Good News

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