Scare Scarer

August 11, 2010 by a j mithra

Scare Scarer ~ by a j mithra

Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vieilloti) by Ian

Birds get scared
only when the scarecrow
has human smell on it…
But,
after the rain,
the smell vanishes
and
the birds are not
scared anymore…
Come all ye people,
get wet and let
the Holy Spirit rain
and scare the scare away…

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;
The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. (Psalm 2:10-13)

A thought from a j mithra

The Australian Figbird is in the Oriolidae Family

Birds in Hymns – Thou Sweet, Beloved Will Of God

August 8, 2010 by Lee

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)

Words: Gerhard Tersteegen, Geistliches Blumen-Gärtlein, first edition, 1729, Book III, number 19 (Liebwerther, süsser Gottes-Wille); translated from German to English by Emma Bevan, 1858.

Music: Holley, George Hews, 1835 .
Alternate tune: •Abends, Herbert S. Oakeley, 1874

This is the Abends tune by Oakeley

Wattled Curassow (Crax globulosa) at National Aviary by Lee

Thou sweet, belovèd will of God,
My anchor ground, my fortress hill,
My spirit’s silent, fair abode,
In thee I hide me and am still.

O Will, that willest good alone,
Lead thou the way, thou guidest best;
A little child, I follow on,
And, trusting, lean upon thy breast.

Thy beautiful, sweet will, my God,
Holds fast in its sublime embrace
My captive will, a gladsome bird,
Prisoned in such a realm of grace.

Within this place of certain good,
Love evermore expands her wings,
Or, nestling in thy perfect choice,
Abides content with what it brings.

Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda) babies by Lee at National Aviary

Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda) (Spike-tailed) babies by Lee at National Aviary

O lightest burden, sweetest yoke!
It lifts, it bears my happy soul,
It giveth wings to this poor heart,
My freedom is thy grand control.

Upon God’s will I lay me down,
As child upon its mother’s breast;
No silken couch, nor softest bed,
Could ever give me such deep rest.

Thy wonderful grand will, my God,
With triumph now I make it mine;
And faith shall cry a joyous Yes!
To every dear command of thine.

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

See ~ Wordless Birds

More ~ Birds in Hymns

I chose the Wattled Curassow because when we encountered the bird at the National Aviary, it seemed very glad, especially at feeding time. It practically got in my face. The Long-tailed (Spike-tailed) Finches are fairly young.

Birds of the Bible – Two Eagles in a Parable

August 6, 2010 by Lee

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) by Peter Ericsson

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel; (Ezekiel 17:1-2 KJV)

The Lord God has given the prophet Ezekiel a parable to give to Israel. The parable is in Ezekiel 17:1-10 and it is in here that we find reference to two different eagles.

“The riddle is not the prophet’s, nor the parable his, but the Lord God’s; and exceeding beautiful and apt it is, to signify the things designed by it; the wisdom of God is greatly displayed in it:” (John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar: (Ezekiel 17:3 KJV)

John Gill says about this first Eagle:

a great eagle; which is Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, as it is explained, Eze_17:12; who is compared to an eagle for his power and authority, that being the king of birds, and for his swiftness and voracity in conquering and subduing kingdoms; see Jer_48:40;

with great wings; so the Babylonish monarchy is signified by a lion with eagle’s wings, Dan_7:4; and the two parts of the Roman empire, into which it was divided at the death of Theodosius, are called two wings of a great eagle, Rev_12:14; and so here it may denote the large kingdoms and provinces which belonged to the Babylonian monarchy; see Est_1:1;

longwinged; or having a “long member” (m); meaning the body of the wing, which was long; and so, as the wings spread, may signify the breadth of his dominion, this the length of them, and both their extensiveness:

full of feathers; of cities, towns, people, armies, wealth, and riches:

Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) by Nikhil Devasar

which had divers colours; or an “embroidery” (n); like that of the weaver, only needle work, consisting of various colours; and so it alludes to such eagles as are called the golden eagle, and “asterias”, from their golden colour, and their being spotted like stars, and which are said to be of the largest size, as Bochart, from Aelianus (o), observes; and may signify people of divers languages, customs, manners, and circumstances, subject to the government of the king of Babylon:

came unto Lebanon; the northern border of the land of Judea, and invaded it; where were the mountain and forest of Lebanon, famous for the cedars that grew there, from whence the whole land may here take its name, as being more apt for the allegory used: or the city of Jerusalem, where were the temple built of the cedars of Lebanon, as many of its palaces and houses also were; whither the king of Babylon came, and took it, and who came northward, as Babylon was:

and took the highest branch of the cedar; by the “cedar” is meant, either the nation in general, or the royal family in particular; and by the “highest branch” the then reigning king, Jeconiah with the princes and nobles of the land, who were taken and carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar; see 2Ki_24:14.

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on The Bible summarizes the first eagle:

A great eagle – Nebuchadnezzar. See Jer_48:40; Jer_49:22; Dan_7:4. And see here, Dan_7:12, where it is so applied.
Great wings – Extensive empire.
Long-winged – Rapid in his conquests.
Full of feathers – Having multitudes of subjects.
Divers colors – People of various nations.
Came unto Lebanon – Came against Judea.
The highest branch – King Jehoiachin he took captive to Babylon.
The cedar – The Jewish state and king.

There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation. (Ezekiel 17:7 KJV)

John Gill says of the second eagle:
“Eze 17:7 There was also another great eagle,…. Hophra king of Egypt, a very powerful prince, whom Herodotus (u) calls Apries; and says he was the most happy and fortunate, after Psammitichus, of all the kings that were before; though not so mighty as the king of Babylon; therefore all the same things are not said of the one as of the other:

Tawny Eagle by Africaddict

with great wings and many feathers: had large dominions, but not go extensive as the former, and therefore is not said to be “longwinged” as he; and had “many feathers”, but not “full” of them, nor had it such a variety; he had many people, and much wealth, and a large army, but not equal to the king of Babylon:

and, behold, this vine did bend her roots towards him; Zedekiah, and the people of the Jews under him; inclined to an alliance with the king of Egypt, and gave him some private intimations of it:

and shot forth her branches towards him; sent ambassadors to acquaint him with it, Eze_17:15;

that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation; Nebuchadnezzar had planted this vine, and made furrows for the watering of it, and by his means it was become prosperous and flourishing; but Zedekiah, not content with the greatness and glory he had raised him to, sought to the king of Egypt to help him with horses and people, in order to free himself from subjection to the king of Babylon, and to increase his lustre and glory: the allusion is thought to be to the trenches and canals of the river Nile, by which the land of Egypt was watered: the words may be rendered, “out of the rivulets of her plantation” (w) which best agrees with watering.

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on The Bible about the second eagle Ezekiel 17:7

Another great eagle – Pharaoh-hophra, or Apries, king of Egypt.
With great wings – Extensive dominion.
And many feathers – Numerous subjects.
Did bend her roots – Looked to him for support in her intended rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar.

This chapter in Ezekiel has a lot in it and I was mainly bringing out the two eagles presented in the parable. A short explanation of this chapter by John Gill follows:

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 17 – Under the simile of two eagles and a vine are represented the kings of Babylon and Egypt, and the condition of the Jews, who are threatened with ruin for their perfidy; and yet a promise is made of the raising up of the house of Judah, and family of David, in the Messiah. The prophet is bid to deliver a riddle or parable to the house of Israel, Eze_17:1. The riddle or parable is concerning two eagles and a vine, which is delivered, Eze_17:3; and the explanation of it is in Eze_17:11; and then the destruction of the Jews is threatened for their treachery to the king of Babylon, Eze_17:16; and the chapter is closed with a promise of the Messiah, and the prosperity of his kingdom, Eze_17:22.

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

Renewing for Rapture

August 5, 2010 by a j mithra

Renewing for Rapture ~ by a j mithra

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) Reinier Munguia

Before they start
to migrate,
the birds preen
and
grow new feathers
for their long journey…..
We too,
have to go on a
long journey
to be with JESUS…
Have we renewed ourselves
with the blood of JESUS?
The birds,
store their body
with lots of fat
for their long flight…
We too need energy
to fly over
difficult situations..
Have we got filled
ourselves with
The Holy Spirit?
Remember,
the migration,
which we call rapture,
is very near…
Are we getting preening
and renewing
to get ready
for the rapture?

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John3:5)

A thought from a j mithra

The Roseate Spoonbill is in the Threskiornithidae Family.

Screeeeeeech

August 3, 2010 by a j mithra

Screeeeeeech ~ by a j mithra

Australian Pipit (Anthus australis) ©WikiC

Mother birds
encourage their little ones
to scream loud…..
The one who makes
the most noise
gets its feed first
and
then the next loudest
gets its share
and
it goes on….
It is easier for GOD
to fill those who
open their mouth wide….
It seems like only
the Birds have understood
the secret and they practice,
but,
we only preach…

I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. (Psalm 81:10)

A thought from a j mithra

The Australian Pipit is in the Motacillidae Family

Birds – Purpose filled Singers

August 2, 2010 by a j mithra

Birds – Purpose filled Singers ~ by a j mithra

Everett's White-eye (Zosterops everetti) by Kent Nickell

Studies have shown
that,
Birds should learn
the intricate
territorial songs
to gain possession
of the territory
after the death
of its senior…
The mating songs
to get the nod
of the best females around..
That memory
of those songs
will serve the Bird
the rest of its life…
Learn to sing,
only for JESUS
and
that will save you
all through your life…

The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise. (Isaiah 43:20-21)

A thought from a j mithra

The Everett’s White-Eye is part of the Zosteropidae Family.

Worship- The God Pleaser

July 30, 2010 by a j mithra

Worship- The God Pleaser ~ by a j mithra

White-throated Honeyeater (Melithreptus albogularis) by Tom Tarrant

Birds choose to mate
only with those birds
which sing the most
complicated songs…
For,
they believe that
only those birds
which sing different songs,
are good at raising
and
taking care of the family
and the territory…
He worshiped
and
sang for the LORD
at all times…
Is that the reason why
GOD certifies David
as the one who pleases
HIS heart?
Would GOD say of us
like how HE said of David?

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. (Acts 13:22)

A thought from a j mithra

The White-throated Honeyeater is in the Meliphagidae Family.

Birds of the Bible – Turtle Doves

July 30, 2010 by Lee

Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) by Nikhil

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (Song of Solomon 2:12 KJV)

According to the latest list of Turtle Doves by the I.O.C version 2.5 there are only six doves that bear the name “Turtle Dove.” They are in two genus (groups), the Nesoenas and the Streptopelia. That means that they are closely related, but the ornithologist have divided them that way.

Malagasy Turtle Dove (Nesoenas picturata) ©WikiC

The Malagasy Turtle Dove (Nesoenas picturata) is the only one in the Nesoenas. The Malagasy Turtle-dove (Nesoenas picturata), is also known as the Madagascar Turtle-dove, is a bird species in the pigeon and dove family, Columbidae. It is found in British Indian Ocean Territory, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion, and Seychelles. Its closest relative a Pink Pigeon together they form a lineage apart from both the typical pigeons (Columba) and the typical turtle-doves (Streptopelia).

Adamawa Turtle Dove (Streptopelia hypopyrrha) ©WikiC

The other five Turtle Doves, the Euopean, Dusky, Adamawa, Oriental, and Red are in the Streptopelia genus. These are mainly slim, small to medium-sized species. The upperparts tend to be pale brown, and the underparts are often a shade of pink. Many have a characteristic black-and-white patch on the neck, and monotonous cooing songs. Mainly in Africa, but several species occur in tropical southern Asia. As a group, this genus is highly successful; many species are abundant in a range of habitats in the tropics, and two now have a much more extensive distribution.

Dusky Turtle Dove (Streptopelia lugens) ©WikiC

In Scripture, the Turtle Dove or “turtledove” appears in fifteen verses. Most of those have to do with the turtledove being used as a sacrifice. In Genesis 15:9 the Lord GOD told Abraham to provide one and a pigeon as part of a sacrifice when Abraham was give the covenant of the promised land.

Then in Leviticus a turtledove was used in the burnt offering in Lev. 1:14, two turtledoves for the trespass offering of Lev. 5:7, two for a second burnt offering in Lev. 5:11, for purification after the birth of a child in Lev. 12:6, 8, a sin offering in Lev. 14:22, a sin and a burnt offering in Lev. 14:30, two more offered in Lev. 15:14 and 29.

In Deuteronomy 6:10, two turtledove or pigeons are used for a cleansing.

O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. (Psalms 74:19 KJV)

European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) ©WikiC

Here is what Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible says about the above verse in Psalms: “Psa 74:19 O deliver not the soul of thy turtle-dove – The “life” of thy turtle-dove; or, thy turtle-dove itself. The turtle-dove is a name of endearment for one beloved, in Son. 2:12, and is thus applied here to the people of Israel. The leading idea in such an application of the word is that of innocence, harmlessness, timidity, gentleness. The thought here is that of a people dear to God, now timid and alarmed. It is the prayer of a people beloved by God that he would not deliver them to their enemies. The prayer may be regarded as one which was used on the occasion referred to in the psalm; or, as a general prayer for the people of God, considered as exposed to ravening enemies.”

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes says of Song of Son. 2:12 (quoted at top): “The flowers – The communications of God’s grace, the gifts, and graces, and comforts of the Holy Spirit, are vouchsafed unto, and appear in believers, as buds and blossoms do in the spring. The turtle – This seems particularly to be mentioned because it not only gives notice of the spring, but aptly represents the Spirit of God, which even the Chaldee paraphrast understands by this turtle, which appeared in the shape of a dove, and which worketh a dove – like meekness, and chastity, and faithfulness, in believers.”

Jeremiah speaks of the migration of the turtledove.

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (Jeremiah 8:7 KJV)

RedTurtle Dove (Streptopelia tranquebarica) by Nikhil Devasar

Last but not least, Mary offered a pair of turtledove at the end of her purification after Jesus was born. The turtledove are in Luke 2:24, but the whole passage from Luke 2:21-39 is worth reading.

Most of the times, not always, the turtledove or pigeons were use in the sacrifices by someone who could not afford an animal like a lamb or a bullock. I find this very comforting because God did not make salvation only for those who could afford it. In fact, none of us can afford the cost of what took for the purchase of our salvation.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:18-21 KJV)

The Gospel Message

(All photos may be clicked on – WikiC = Wiki Commons. Hover mouse over underlined verses.)

Birds of the Bible – Honeyguide?

July 23, 2010 by Lee

Brown-backed (Wahlberg’s) Honeybird (Prodotiscus regulus) byWiki

The Honeyguide is an interesting bird. They are not mentioned specifically in the Bible by “name”, but all birds are mentioned whether named or not. The Lord God created all of them on the fifth day and declared them good.

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. (Genesis 1:21-23 KJV)

Honeyguides love the honey, wax, larvae or whatever else is found in the honeycomb. In fact, it was created with such a cooperative instinct, that it helps others find the honey and in return, it gets fed also. The scientist today call it “mutualism” or “sembiotic relationship”. There is a Honey Badger (Ratal) that can’t see so well but loves the same things in the honeycomb and the Honeyguide “guides” it to the honey source. The bird first finds the bee’s nest, but since it is too weak to tear the comb apart, it finds the badger. Then by flitting its wings and making a fuss, it slowly leads the critter to the nest. He or she, does the hard work. The badger tears the bee’s nest apart with its paws and enjoys the meal. There is always enough left over that the bird gets its share of the meal also. Of course God has given the badger its instinct to let the bird lead it to honey also. They both need each other to make this work.

The bird has also been known to lead humans to a honey source. “One researcher found use of honeyguides by the Boran people of East Africa reduces the search time of people for honey by approximately two-thirds. Because of this benefit, the Boran use a specific loud whistle, known as the “Fuulido”, when a search for honey is about to begin. The “Fuulido” doubles the encounter rate with honeyguides” (Wikipedia)

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24 KJV)
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: (Proverbs 24:13 KJV)

The Lord Jesus even was served fish and a honeycomb after His resurrection.

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. (Luke 24:42 KJV)

Yellow-rumped Honeyguide (Indicator xanthonotus) by A Grosset

The Honeyguide is in the Indicatoridae Family which has 17 members and are in the Piciformes Order. Recently three of the birds were changed from Honeyguides to Honeybirds, but they all love honey. Most honeyguides are dull-colored, though a few have bright yellow in the plumage. All have light outer tail feathers, which are white in all the African species. The two honeyguides, the Greater Honeyguide and the Scaly-throated Honeyguide, are the most studied for this behavior.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalms 19:9-10 KJV)

Birds in Hymns – God Speaks To Us In Bird And Song

July 21, 2010 by Lee

To him that rideth upon the heavens of heavens, which were of old; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. (Psalms 68:33 KJV)

Words: Joseph Johnson, Dibs: A Story of Young London Life (at the beginning of chapter 4: ‘Promoted to the Choir’), 1888. The hymn was published in School Hymns in 1891.

Music: Childhood – by Henry W. Davies (1869-1941)

God Speaks to us in Bird and Song

Crested Bunting (Emberiza lathami) by Nikhi lDevasar

God speaks to us in bird and song,
In winds that drift the clouds along,
Above the din and toil of wrong,
A melody of love.

God speaks to us in far and near,
In peace of home and friends most dear,
From the dim past and present clear,
A melody of love.

God speaks to us in darkest night,
By quiet ways through mornings bright,
When shadows fall with evening light,
A melody of love.

O Voice divine, speak Thou to me,
Beyond the earth, beyond the sea,
First let me hear, then sing to Thee,
A melody of love.

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

See ~ Wordless Birds

More ~ Birds in Hymns

Birds of the Bible – Barn Owls

July 16, 2010 by Lee

Western Barn Owls (Family Tytonidae) by Bob-Nan

Western Barn Owl (Family Tytonidae) by Bob-Nan

the little owl, the cormorant, the short-eared owl, the barn owl, the tawny owl, the carrion vulture, (Leviticus 11:17-18 ESV)
and the little owl, and the cormorant, and the eared owl; and the barn owl, and the pelican, and the owl-vulture; (Leviticus 11:17-18 MKJV)

Australian Masked Owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) by Wiki

The Lord has created another interesting and fantastic bird, the Barn Owl. The Owls are mentioned in the list of unclean birds the Israelites were not to eat. The Bible mentions several different kinds of owls and that is possibly why the taxonomists today divide them at least into two different families. Within those families, especially the larger one, Strigidae, the are different groupings. The Barn Owl family, Tytonidae, all seem to have this heart-shaped face you will read about and see. Some of the other Bible versions call it the “white owl.” Most of the ones I found photos of do have a white face or almost white face.

Barn-owls (family Tytonidae) are one of the two families of owls, the other being the true owls, Strigidae. Barn Owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long, strong legs with powerful talons. They also differ from Strigidae in structural details relating in particular to the sternum and feet.

Sulawesi Masked Owl (Tyto rosenbergii) by Wiki

The Barn Owl is a pale, long-winged, long-legged owl with a short squarish tail. Depending on subspecies, it measures about 25–45 cm (9.8–18 in) in overall length, with a wingspan of some 75–110 cm (30–43 in). Tail shape is a way of distinguishing the Barn Owl from true owls when seen in flight, as are the wavering motions and the open dangling feathered legs. The light face with its heart shape and the black eyes give the flying bird an odd and startling appearance, like a flat mask with oversized oblique black eyeslits, the ridge of feathers above the bill somewhat resembling a nose.[Wikipedia]

The barn-owls’ main characteristic is the heart-shaped facial disc, formed by stiff feathers which serve to amplify and locate the source of sounds when hunting. (See Calculating Owls below) Further adaptations in the wing feathers eliminate sound caused by flying, aiding both the hearing of the owl listening for hidden prey and keeping the prey unaware of the owl. Barn-owls overall are darker on the back than the front, usually an orange-brown colour, the front being a paler version of the back or mottled, although there is considerable variation even amongst species. The bay-owls closely resemble the Tyto owls but have a divided facial disc, ear tufts, and tend to be smaller.

On average, within any one population males tend to be less spotted on the underside than females. The latter are also larger, as is common for owls. A strong female Western Barn Owl of a large subspecies may weigh over 550 g (19.4 oz), while males are typically about 10% lighter. Nestlings are covered in white down all over, but the heart-shaped facial disk is visible soon after hatching.

the little owl and the short-eared owl, the barn owl (Deuteronomy 14:16 ESV)

Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba) by Nikhil Devassar

Its head and upperparts are a mixture of buff and grey (especially on the forehead and back) feathers in most subspecies. Some are purer richer brown instead, and all have fine black-and-white speckles except on the remiges and rectrices, which are light brown with darker bands. The heart-shaped face is usually bright white, but in some subspecies it is browner. The underparts vary from white to reddish buff among the subspecies, and are either mostly unpatterned or bear a varying amount of tiny blackish-brown speckles. It was found that at least in the continental European populations, females with more spotting are healthier on average. This does not hold true for European males by contrast, where the spotting varies according to subspecies. The bill varies from pale horn to dark buff, corresponding to the general plumage hue. The iris is blackish brown. The toes, as the bill, vary in color; their color ranges from pinkish to dark pinkish-grey. The talons are black.

African Grass Owl (Tyto capensis) by Wiki

The barn owls are a wide ranging family, absent only from northern North America, Saharan Africa and large areas of Asia. They live in a wide range of habitats from deserts to forests, and from temperate latitudes to the tropics. The majority of the 16 living species of barn owls are poorly known. Some, like the (Madagascar) Red Owl, have barely been seen or studied since their discovery, in contrast to the Common Barn Owl, which is one of the best known owl species in the world. However, some sub-species of the Common Barn Owl possibly deserve to be a separate species, but are very poorly known.

Contrary to popular belief, it does not hoot (such calls are made by typical owls, like the Tawny Owl or other Strix). It instead produces the characteristic shree scream, ear-shattering at close range. Males in courtship give a shrill twitter. It can hiss like a snake to scare away intruders, and when captured or cornered, it throws itself on its back and flails with sharp-taloned feet, making for an effective defence. Also given in such situations is a rasp and a clicking snap, produced by the bill or possibly the tongue.

Barn Owl clicks and call from xeno.canto.org

Couldn’t pass up the opportunity for some verse of the “heart.”

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. (Psalms 9:1 KJV)
LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: (Psalms 10:17 KJV)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalms 19:14 KJV)
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
(Psalms 27:14 KJV)

Birds of the Bible – Quail II

July 8, 2010 by Lee

Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora) by Ian

It has been almost two years since the Quail have been written about. Birds of the Bible – Quail was early in this blogs history, so decided to write more about them.

The Bible has four references to quail and they are all found in the Old Testament. They refer to the time that the Israelites were in the desert after they had left Egypt by way of the Red Sea. They had been complaining about their lack of food, so the LORD answered them with:

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. (Exodus 16:11-13 KJV)

So, their request was taken care of every morning and evening. Just as today, we have a promise:

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 KJV)

That incident took place on the 15th day of the second month after coming out of Egypt. Then right around the 20th day of the second month of the second year, they started complaining again about not having flesh to eat.

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. (Numbers 11:5-6 KJV)

“Poor me! All we have to eat is manna, manna, manna.” Can you hear them? God wanted them to trust Him. God promises to meet our needs, not necessarily our wants. This is where the incident written about in the first article came about. They were well taken care of, even their shoes did not wear out in the 40 years they spent in the wilderness. Read Psalm 105 where it tells about all the LORD did for them. In Psalm 105:40 it says, “The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.”

Are we satisfied with what the Lord has provided or do we go around with a protruding lower lip saying, “Poor me!” I trust your lip is normal and that you can say along with Paul:

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:11 KJV)

King Quail (Excalfactoria chinensis) Asian Blue by Kent Nickell

King Quail (Excalfactoria chinensis) by Kent Nickell

The Quail are numerous around the world and they are found in several families of birds. The Odontophoridae – New World Quail Family (34 members) includes not only Quails, but also 4 Bobwhites, 1 Francolin, and 4 Partridges. The Phasianidae – Pheasants, Fowl & Allies Family has 181 members. That is probably where the Quails mentioned in the wilderness came from because they are of the Old World area. That family has 13 Quail and a mix of other related birds including Turkeys, Pheasants and Peacocks. Both of these families are in the Galliformes Order.

Old World quail are the smallest birds in their family and are about 5 in (12-13 cm). The New World ones are 7-15 in (17-37 cm) long. They are very similar but are placed in the two families by ornithologists. They have short thick beaks with chunky bodies. Most do not make long flights and mainly fly when flushed. They are mostly seed and vegetation eaters, but some do eat insects.

Here in the U.S., the Northern Bobwhite’s call is very familiar.

Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Birdwatching from a Christian Perspective

Tag Archives: Bible

Scare Scarer

Birds in Hymns – Thou Sweet, Beloved Will Of God

Birds of the Bible – Two Eagles in a Parable

Renewing for Rapture

Screeeeeeech

Birds – Purpose filled Singers

Worship- The God Pleaser

Birds of the Bible – Turtle Doves

Birds of the Bible – Honeyguide?

Birds in Hymns – God Speaks To Us In Bird And Song

Birds of the Bible – Barn Owls

Birds of the Bible – Quail II

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