Cedar Waxwing – Fruit Passer…

April 22, 2011 by a j mithra

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) by J Fenton

Cedar Waxwing – Fruit passer… ~ by a j mithra

As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: (Leviticus 14:6)

Historians say that the cross that Jesus carried was made from Cedar wood. Of all the trees why did Jesus choose the cedar? The verse above which says about two birds, the cedar wood, the scarlet and the Hyssop does clearly reflects the crucifixion of Jesus on the cross. The two birds reflect Jesus and Barabas. One bird was sacrificed and the other was let free. Jesus was crucified and Barabas freed. The Cedar wood reflects the cross which Jesus carried. The scarlet reflects our sins. The hyssop reflects of how vinegar was soaked in a sponge and stuck in hyssop’s branch and offered to Jesus, when He said that He was thirsty.

Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. (John 19:29)

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. (Mathew 27:28)

Twigs of Cedar placed with lingerie and kept in cupboards containing fur can keep away moth. The cross has the power to keep away all evil from our lives.

The Cedar is used to build the skeleton of the canoe. The cross has the power to take us through flood, fire and wilderness.

The most valuable constituent of Cedar oil is thujone. Native Americans of the eastern United States and Canada used thujone for generations to treat menstrual problems, headaches, and heart ailments. Loggers drank tea made from white cedar twigs to relieve rheumatism. During the seventeenth century, some people called the eastern white cedar the “tree of life,” because they believed that its sap had healing powers. In the late 1800s, the US Pharmacopoeia (the US compendium of quality control test and information on drugs) listed thujone as a treatment to stimulate the uterus and as a diuretic to increase urine flow. The leaves have the power to heal rheumatic, pulmonary, burns and prevent paralytic movement. It is also used as dye.

This tree is called the “Tree of Life”. Is that the reason Jesus, the life chose to carry a Cedar cross.. It was on the Cedar cross that Jesus, took the stripes to heal us from all disease.

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:2-5)

Cedar Waxwing Eating by Steve Slayton

The Cedar waxwing may have been inspired by the qualities of Cedar from where it has borrowed its name. There is so much to read about this bird in this interesting website. But, one interesting quality of this bird stands apart. These birds are communal feeders. As we all know, the Cedar Waxwing eats berries and sugary fruit year-round, with insects becoming an important part of the diet in the breeding season. Its fondness for the small cones of the Eastern Redcedar (a kind of juniper) gave this bird its common name.

When the end of a twig holds a supply of berries that only one bird at a time can reach, members of a flock may line up along the twig and pass berries beak to beak down the line so that each bird gets a chance to eat. This reminds us of how we need pronounce the love of Jesus to the others so that they too may taste and see that the Lord is good..

Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) by Daves BirdingPix

But, the sad part is we have never thought of doing this, spreading the gospel to the unreached. If only we all had done this, by this time our churches would be overflowing. If only we carry the cross…..?

At least on this Good Friday, the day which denotes the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for you and me, shall we make up our mind to do what we haven’t done for the Lord all these years? Shall we pass the fruit of the Holy spirit, so that those who haven’t tasted the Lord yet, may taste the goodness and mercy of our Lord?

These birds share the fruits, but, we call ourselves as Christians, borrowing the name from Christ, but when are we going to share the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (Psalm 34:8)

Have an awesome day at the feet of Jesus on the cross…

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

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ajmithra21

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Formed By Him – “Sword and Piercer” Birds

April 21, 2011 by Lee

Two Edges by wrdpico

When Jesus was taken to the temple for His dedication, Simeon met Mary and Joseph and told Mary:

And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:34-35 KJV)

When Judas came to betray Christ in the garden, Peter took out his sword and cut of the right ear of one of them, but Jesus touched his ear and healed it.

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people… And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. (Luke 22:47, 50-51 KJV)

Most know the facts about the death of Christ on the cross. It was prophesied before the Lord ever came to earth that He would die on the cross. Then:

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken. And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced. (John 19:30-37 KJV)

Throughout this week, the Scripture has been presented that tells of the events that were unfolding during the week of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. We have come to the “sword” and the fact that Christ’s side was “pierced,” as was Mary’s heart. Any mother’s heart would be pierced to see their son crucified, but Jesus was no ordinary son. She had the privilege of being His earthly mother, by way of the virgin birth, BUT, His Father was God, and He was, as the centurion stated:

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. (Matthew 27:54 KJV)

Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) by Robert Scanlon

If you have been following along this week, the “Palm” Birds, “Whip” Birds, and the “Thorn” Birds have been presented along with the events of Christ’s crucifixion. Now it is the “Sword” Birds and the “Piercer” Birds. A connection between the events and the names of the birds is being made to help us remember the Lord Jesus Christ. What love He has shown to us by laying down His life to purchase our salvation.

He created and loves the birds so, that when the little sparrow falls, He knows all about it. How much do you think He cares about me and you?

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:29-33 KJV)

Birds with “Sword” in their name:

There is only one bird in the list used here that has “sword” in its name, the Sword-billed Hummingbird. We have done an article on it already in – Formed By Him – Sword-billed Hummingbird.

Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) by Michael Woodruff

Birds with “Piercer” in their name:

Masked Flowerpiercer (Diglossa cyanea) by Michael Woodruff

The Tanagers and Allies – Thraupidae has a Genus of Flowerpiercers, called Diglossa. The Lord has created another facinating bird. The Flowerpiercer’s common name refers to their habit of piercing the base of flowers to access nectar that otherwise would be out of reach. This is done with their highly created bills, although this is less obvious in the Bluish Flowerpiercer, which has an almost “normal” bill. Most flowerpiercers are restricted to highlands, especially the Andes, in South America, but two species occur in Central America.

Genus Diglossa
Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa baritula)
Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea)
Rusty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa sittoides)
Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosissima)
Glossy Flowerpiercer (Diglossa lafresnayii)
Moustached Flowerpiercer (Diglossa mystacalis)
Merida Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosa)
Black Flowerpiercer (Diglossa humeralis)
Black-throated Flowerpiercer (Diglossa brunneiventris)
Grey-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa carbonaria)
Venezuelan Flowerpiercer (Diglossa venezuelensis)
White-sided Flowerpiercer (Diglossa albilatera)
Scaled Flowerpiercer (Diglossa duidae)
Greater Flowerpiercer (Diglossa major)
Indigo Flowerpiercer (Diglossa indigotica)
Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer (Diglossa glauca)
Bluish Flowerpiercer (Diglossa caerulescens)
Masked Flowerpiercer (Diglossa cyanea)

Black Flowerpiercer by Keith Blomerley of a bird moving around in a bush.

I trust you are enjoying and being blessed by the “Formed by Him” series this week. To see more articles – Click Here

See:

The Gospel Message and the Wordless Birds

Black Flowerpiercer (Diglossa humeralis aterrima) ©WikiC

Chestnut-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa gloriosissima) ©WikiC

Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer (Diglossa baritula) ©WikiC

Glossy Flowerpiercer (Diglossa lafresnayii) by Michael Woodruff

Glossy Flowerpiercer (Diglossa lafresnayii) ©WikiC

Golden-eyed Flowerpiercer (Diglossa glauca) ©WikiC

Masked Flowerpiercer (Diglossa cyanea cyanea) ©WikiC

Masked Flowerpiercer (Diglossa cyanea) by Michael Woodruff

Moustached Flowerpiercer (Diglossa mystacalis) ©WikiC

Moustached Flowerpiercer (Diglossa mystacalis) ©©

Rusty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa sittoides) Female ©WikiC

Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) Female ©WikiC

Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) Nest ©WikiC

Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) by Ian

Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) by Kent Nickell

Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) by Michael Woodruff

Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) ©WikiC

Slaty Flowerpiercer (Diglossa plumbea) ©©ornitholoco

Formed By Him – “Thorn” Birds

April 20, 2011 by Lee

Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) by Ian

Thorns are mentioned many times throughout the Bible and in the Gospels it is presented in several applications:

For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:44-45 KJV)

Again thorns were mentioned in a parable in reference to the receiving of the Word of God:

And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 8:7-8 KJV)
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (Luk 8:14 KJV)

The next references to thorns has to do with the “crown of thorns” they plaited or twisted together of thorny branches. If you think they just placed that crown of those thorns gently on His head, you are mistaken. With as much mockery and hatred they were showing to Christ, they would have crammed that crown on his head, thus, driving those spiked thorns as deep as they could.

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. (Mark 15:17-20 KJV)

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
(John 19:4-5 KJV)

Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) by Michael Woodruff

Today it is obvious that “thorns” are the theme of this blog. The last two days, the “Palm” Birds and the “Whip” Birds were written about and shown. When you see the “Thorn” Birds, maybe the “crown of thorns” will come to mind and you will praise the Lord for His death on the cross which paid for our salvation.

For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:26-28 KJV)

There are three families that have birds with Thorn in their name. the Hummingbird family has either Thornbills or Thorntails. The Ovenbird family has actual Thornbirds and one Thorn-tailed Rayadito. One whole Genus of birds in the Australian Warbler family are called Thornbills. As you look at the bills of most of these birds observe how the shape resembles thorns. Their Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, not only designed their bill to assist in their eating and habitat, He knew that one day that “thorns” would be driven into His head.

Birds with “Thorn” in their name:

Hummingbird – Trochilidae Family

Black-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron dorsale)
Black-bellied Thorntail (Discosura langsdorffi)
Blue-mantled Thornbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi) – Video by Keith Blomerley
Bronze-tailed Thornbill (Chalcostigma heteropogon)
Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii) by Michael Woodruff
Letitia’s Thorntail (Discosura letitiae)
Olivaceous Thornbill (Chalcostigma olivaceum)
Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) – Video

Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)
Rufous-capped Thornbill (Chalcostigma ruficeps)
Wire-crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii) – Video by Keith Blomerley

Plain Thornbird (Phacellodomus inornatus) ©©

Ovenbird – Furnariidae Family

Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) by Ian

Acanthizidae – Australasian Warblers

Acanthiza Genus
Inland Thornbill (Acanthiza apicalis)
Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)
Buff-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza reguloides)
Chestnut-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza uropygialis) by Ian
Mountain Thornbill (Acanthiza katherina) by Ian
New Guinea Thornbill (Acanthiza murina)
Slaty-backed Thornbill (Acanthiza robustirostris)
Slender-billed Thornbill (Acanthiza iredalei)
Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata)
Tasmanian Thornbill (Acanthiza ewingii)
Western Thornbill (Acanthiza inornata)
Yellow Thornbill (Acanthiza nana) by Ian
Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa)

Formed By Him – “Whip” Birds

April 19, 2011 by Lee

Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) by Judd Paterson

When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. (John 2:15 NKJV)

Whips have been used for many years. According to Wikipedia: The word whip describes two basic types of tools:-

A long stick-like device, usually slightly flexible, with a small bit of leather or cord, called a “popper” or a “cracker,” on the end. Depending on length and flexibility, this type is often called a riding whip, riding crop or “bat”. It is also sometimes called a “horsewhip” or “horse whip”.

The other type of whip is a long tapered flexible length of single-strand or plaited (braided) material (usually leather) with a stiff handle. Some whips of this type include the bullwhip and the stockwhip. Each design has many variations and lengths for different purposes, often with different names.

As well as these traditional whip types designed for use on animals, there are whip designs that had historic uses for inflicting pain on humans, such as the “cat o’ nine tails”, knout and others. These devices are used as flogging instruments, a means of control, corporal punishment or torture.

Cat o nine tails ©WikiC

Yesterday’s Formed By Him – “Palm” Birds was about birds with “Palm” in their name and it was about Palm Sunday. Today’s Formed By Him is about birds with “Whip” in their name and helps us remember when they began to torture or scourge Christ with whips or by flogging Him.

Christ told His disciples, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” (Mat 20:18,19 KJV)

The different versions of God’s Word use various words to describe the torture. In verse 19, the word scourge is translated, whip(ped), scourge(d), or flogged. Matthew 27:26 and John 19:1 also use the same three translations of the word.

Then he let Barabbas go free: but after having Jesus whipped, he gave him up to be put to death on the cross. (Matthew 27:26 BBE)

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. (John 19:1 ESV)

Then Pilate had Jesus taken away and whipped. The soldiers twisted some thorny branches into a crown, placed it on his head, and put a purple cape on him. (John 19:1-2 GW)

This week we are remembering the events that led up to the death of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, on the cross. As we think of this time, maybe seeing birds with names of things that happened will help us not forget the events as we see those birds in the future.

The death of Christ on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice that provides Salvation for our souls.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)

Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) by Ian

There are only two families that contain “Whip” Birds.

The Whip-poor-will or Whippoorwill is a medium-sized nightjar from North and Central America. The Whip-poor-will is commonly heard within its range, but less often seen because of its superior camouflage. It was recently divided into two species, the Eastern and Mexican. The Whip-poor-wills are in the Caprimulgidae – Nightjars Family.

Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) at National Zoo
Mexican Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus arizonae)

The Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) is an insectivorous passerine bird native to the east coast of Australia, its whip-crack call a familiar sound in forests of eastern Australia. Two subspecies are recognized. Heard much more often than seen, it is a dark olive-green and black in color with a distinctive white cheek patch and crest. The male and female are similar in plumage. The Whipbirds are in the Whipbirds, Jewel-babblers, quail-thrushes – Psophodidae Family.

Papuan Whipbird (Androphobus viridis)
Eastern Whipbird (Psophodes olivaceus) ©©
Western Whipbird (Psophodes nigrogularis) See Photo

Photo of a Western whipbird – Animal Pictures – Pictures

See:

The Gospel Message

Wordless Birds

Formed By Him – “Palm” Birds

April 18, 2011 by Lee

Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum) by Ia

Yesterday was the traditionally known day of “Palm Sunday.” Many this week celebrate and remember the last week of the Lord Jesus Christ before His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of mankind. Thought it might be interesting to look at the birds that have “Palm” in their names.

In Leviticus the Bible tells of a celebration they had with palm leaves.

And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days. (Leviticus 23:40 KJV)

From Gill’s Commentary, we learn – “branches of palm trees: which were very common in the land of Judea, and especially about Jericho; see John 12:13; the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem call them “lulabs”, which is the name the Jews give to the whole bundle they carried in their hands on this day:”

Palmchat (Dulus dominicus) ©SevenSeas of Rhye

Palm trees, branches or leaves are mentioned in Exodus 15:17, Leviticus 23:40; Numbers 39:9; Deut. 34:3 – Jericho is called the city of palm trees; Judges 3:13 and 4:5; I Kings 6:29, 32, 35, 7:36; 2 Chronicles 3:5, 28:15, Nehemiah 8:15; Psalm 92:15; Song of Solomon 7:7, 8; Ezekial 40:16-37, 41:18-26; Joel 1:12; and in John 12:13.

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’ The King of Israel!” Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “FEAR NOT, DAUGHTER OF ZION; BEHOLD, YOUR KING IS COMING, SITTING ON A DONKEY’S COLT.”
(John 12:12-15 NKJV)

The people were excited and were strawing the road with the palm branches. They were celebrating what they thought was their King who would take them out of the control of their current rulers. By weeks end, they will have changed their “Hosanna!”s into “Crucify Him!”s.

I realize that the birds have been named by various people, beginning with Adam until the current namers. Many of the birds that have Palm in their names do associate with Palm trees in one aspect or another. Maybe the next time you observe the “Palm” birds that were “Formed By Him,” our Creator and Savior, you will remember the day He rode into Jerusalem on a “palm road” Maybe He gave these birds the desire to use the Palm Trees so that when we see them we will not forget the prophecies that were fulfilled that day.

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) by Ian

Birds with “Palm” in their name:

Palm-nut Vulture (Gypohierax angolensis)
“feeds mainly on the fruit of the oil-palm”
Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)
“they have been observed eating the seeds of the kanari and black bean trees, and the fruits of the nonda tree and Pandanus palms.”
Palm Lorikeet (Charmosyna palmarum)
“Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, and plantations”
African Palm Swift (Cypsiurus parvus)
The down and feather nest is glued to the underside of a palm leaf with saliva, which is also used to secure the usually two eggs. This is a fast flying bird of open country, which is strongly associated with Oil Palms. (applies to other palm swifts)”
Antillean Palm Swift (Tachornis phoenicobia)
Asian Palm Swift (Cypsiurus balasiensis)
Neotropical Palm Swift (Tachornis squamata)
Pygmy Palm Swift (Tachornis furcata)
“observed them near mature cultivated palms, which represented nesting and roosting substrates”
Point-tailed Palmcreeper (Berlepschia rikeri)
“found in tropical and subtropical dry forests, mostly in palm groves”

Palm Crows on Palm ©SwamiStream

Cuban Palm Crow (Corvus minutus)
“Nests are located in stands of tall palms with breeding from April-July or possibly earlier”
Hispaniolan Palm Crow (Corvus palmarum)
“The nest is made of sticks and placed among tree branches or in a palm tree.”
Palmchat (Dulus dominicus)
Collared Palm Thrush (Cichladusa arquata)
“Dry palm savanna and moist palm shrubland.”
Rufous-tailed Palm Thrush (Cichladusa ruficauda)
Spotted Palm Thrush (Cichladusa guttata)
Golden Palm Weaver (Ploceus bojeri)
Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum)
Palm Tanager (Thraupis palmarum)
“seems to like habitat with palms on which it feeds”

Information from various internet websites.

See:

The Gospel Message

Wordless Birds

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Canary (Yellow) White-eye

April 15, 2011 by Ian

Canary (yellow) White-eye (Zosterops luteus) by Ian

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Yellow White-eye ~ by Ian Montgomery

Newsletter – 4/15/11

This week’s bird, the Yellow White-eye is a mangrove-dwelling relative of the widespread and familiar Silvereye. While the Silvereye is well-known in gardens and orchards of all the more densely populated areas of mainland Australia and Tasmania, the Yellow White-eye is confined to coastal areas of northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northwestern Queensland with one very isolated population near Ayr south of Townsville. So you have to go out of your way to find it, but it is quite common in suitable habitat within its range.

Canary (yellow) White-eye (Zosterops luteus luteus) by Ian

The first photo was taken at Buffalo Creek near Darwin and the second near Karumba on the southern end of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Incidentally, I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can identify the pink-flowered shrub with the White-eye-sized fruit (Yellow White-eyes are 11-12cm/4.3-4.7in). Birds from these regions are yellower than the Western Australian birds and some taxonomists split the species into two sub-species. These yellower northern and eastern birds belong to the nominate race luteus while the greener birds in Western Australia belong to the race balstoni.

The third photo was taken at Roebuck Bay near the Broome Bird Observatory and belongs to this greener race. The difference is subtle and I imagine you would need to compare birds directly to see the distinction. More striking is how well the plumage matches the colour of the leaves of the mangroves. Like Silvereyes, Yellow White-eyes are very lively and vocal so if they are around, they are not hard to find.

Canary (yellow) White-eye (Zosterops luteus balstoni) by Ian

The apparently endless wet season has finally ended in North Queensland and this week we have all been enjoying lovely sunny days and moonlit nights. I’m making preparations to travel with friends to the Easter campout being organised by the Northern NSW group of Birds Australia in Baradine in the Pilliga Scrub/Forest between Coonabarabran and Narrabri. There are some interesting birds there (I have my sights set on Turquoise Parrot) and I hope I’ll be able to share some of them with you.

Best wishes,
Ian
—
Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Phone: 0411 602 737 +61-411 602 737
Preferred Email: ian@birdway.com.au
Website: http://birdway.com.au

Thanks for introducing us to another interesting bird. The I.O.C. World Bird List has this bird as the Canary White-eye. This is another example of why the Scientific names are important. No matter what the bird is called, the scientific name assures that the same bird is being described.

I am trusting Ian will be able to capture through his lens that Turquoise Parrot. That sounds like another neat bird.

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, (Psalms 17:8 KJV)

After checking out Ian’s Zosteropidae Family photos, then check the Zosteropidae Family of the Passeriformes Order here.

Birdwatching Without Going Birdwatching

April 13, 2011 by Lee

Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) by Dan

Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches…. O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (Psalms 104:12, 24 ESV)

It has been hard to find the time lately to go out on a birdwatching trip, but we have been seeing quite a few birds. Do you ever have times like that? Unfortunately, those are the times when you see some interesting bird, but you are not prepared to take a photo or have a notepad at hand. That has been the case with us recently. Though a true bird watcher is always on the lookout for avian friends to view.

Unknown Warbler by Lee

We’ve had company, my sister and her husband, a short family reunion out of town, and a trip to South Carolina, and on and on. By the time we get a chance to go out with cameras in hand, all of our birds will have flown back north for the summer. Oh, well! Those of you who live north of us will be glad to see their feathered friends arrive and start their nesting season. Take good care of them and send them back to us in the fall.

We have seen some birds we don’t normally see here near the house. At my brothers, near Webster, FL, we either heard or saw Pileated Woodpeckers and Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Carolina Wren, Tufted Titmice, Mourning Dove, American Crow, and an unknown to me warbler. We watched the Red-bellied coming in an out of a nest. Did have a camera, but not the normal one. Not the best photo. At my feeder, I spotted a House Finch that was an orange variant. In our neighborhood recently I spotted a Pileated Woodpecker, Lesser Yellowlegs, and a baby Sandhill Crane with its parents.

Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) by Lee

Being at my brother’s house, which is in a very wooded area, helped me realize that I need more practice hearing and identifying birds by their sounds. It was hard to spot most of them, but they were there singing and calling, but my lack of practice, made it hard to put names on them. There are many good programs and websites that can help teach the sounds.

All of this was said to encourage you to stay alert to what is around you. Planned or unplanned, birdwatching is always interesting and many times surprises comes in to view or a sound comes into your ear.

The I.O.C Version 2.8 of the World Bird List is out and the Birds of the World is being updated.

P.S. If you know what that bird is, please leave a comment.

Birds In Hymns – The Sands of Time Are Sinking

April 10, 2011 by Lee

Costa's Hummingbird on Nest (Calypte costae) by Bob-Nan

Based on:

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7 KJV)

Words by – Anne R. Cousin, in The Christian Treasury, 1857.
From this hymn came the title of Cousin’s 1876 work, Immanuel’s Land and Other Pieces by A. R. C.

Music: Rutherford, Chrétien d’Urhan, 1834; arranged by Edward F. Rimbault, 1867

The Sands of Time Are Sinking

The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of Heaven breaks;
The summer morn I’ve sighed for—the fair, sweet morn awakes:
Dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

O Christ, He is the fountain, the deep, sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I’ve tasted more deep I’ll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Oh! Well it is forever, Oh! well forevermore,
My nest hung in no forest of all this death doomed shore:
Yea, let the vain world vanish, as from the ship the strand,
While glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

There the red rose of Sharon unfolds its heartsome bloom
And fills the air of Heaven with ravishing perfume:
Oh! To behold it blossom, while by its fragrance fanned
Where glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

The King there in His beauty, without a veil is seen:
It were a well spent journey, though seven deaths lay between:
The Lamb with His fair army, doth on Mount Zion stand,
And glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Oft in yon sea beat prison My Lord and I held tryst,
For Anwoth was not Heaven, and preaching was not Christ:
And aye, my murkiest storm cloud was by a rainbow spanned,
Caught from the glory dwelling in Immanuel’s land.

But that He built a Heaven of His surpassing love,
A little new Jerusalem, like to the one above,
“Lord take me over the water” hath been my loud demand,
Take me to my love’s own country, unto Immanuel’s land.

But flowers need night’s cool darkness, the moonlight and the dew;
So Christ, from one who loved it, His shining oft withdrew:
And then, for cause of absence my troubled soul I scanned
But glory shadeless shineth in Immanuel’s land.

The little birds of Anwoth, I used to count them blessed,
Now, beside happier altars I go to build my nest:
Over these there broods no silence, no graves around them stand,
For glory, deathless, dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Fair Anwoth by the Solway, to me thou still art dear,
Even from the verge of Heaven, I drop for thee a tear.
Oh! If one soul from Anwoth meet me at God’s right hand,
My heaven will be two heavens, In Immanuel’s land.

I’ve wrestled on towards Heaven, against storm and wind and tide,
Now, like a weary traveler that leaneth on his guide,
Amid the shades of evening, while sinks life’s lingering sand,
I hail the glory dawning from Immanuel’s land.

Deep waters crossed life’s pathway, the hedge of thorns was sharp;
Now, these lie all behind me Oh! for a well tuned harp!
Oh! To join hallelujah with yon triumphant band,
Who sing where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

With mercy and with judgment my web of time He wove,
And aye, the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love;
I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned
When throned where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Soon shall the cup of glory wash down earth’s bitterest woes,
Soon shall the desert briar break into Eden’s rose;
The curse shall change to blessing the name on earth that’s banned
Be graven on the white stone in Immanuel’s land.

O I am my Beloved’s and my Beloved’s mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner into His “house of wine.”
I stand upon His merit—I know no other stand,
Not even where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

I shall sleep sound in Jesus, filled with His likeness rise,
To love and to adore Him, to see Him with these eyes:
’Tween me and resurrection but paradise doth stand;
Then—then for glory dwelling in Immanuel’s land.

The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegroom’s face;
I will not gaze at glory but on my king of grace.
Not at the crown He giveth but on His piercèd hand;
The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel’s land.

I have borne scorn and hatred, I have borne wrong and shame,
Earth’s proud ones have reproached me for Christ’s thrice blessed name:
Where God His seal set fairest they’ve stamped the foulest brand,
But judgment shines like noonday in Immanuel’s land.

They’ve summoned me before them, but there I may not come,
My Lord says “Come up hither,” My Lord says “Welcome home!”
My king, at His white throne, my presence doth command
Where glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.

Old School House in Anwoth, Scotland

Anwoth is a settlement near the Solway Firth in the Stewarty of Kirkcudbright, in South West Scotland, within a parish of the same name in the Vale of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway. Anwoth lies a mile (1.5 km) to the west of Gatehouse of Fleet.

Anwoth’s most famous inhabitant was the Rev. Samuel Rutherford (1600? – 1661), who was the minister at Anwoth Old Kirk from 1627 until 1636 when he was banished to Aberdeen. On a nearby hill, there is Rutherford’s Monument, a 55 foot high granite obelisk erected in 1842. A millennium cairn opposite the monument lists the names of all the ministers of Anwoth and Girthon until the year 2000 when it was erected. The Old Kirk was in use until 1825, but is now just a ruin.

West Anwoth Parish Church was built in 1826–1827. It is a Walter Newall Gothic box style church with tower and hood-moulded windows. It closed in 2002.

The Church of Scotland sold the Church to a neighbouring family who now keep it as a hall fo ceremonies and parties. The church was re-roofed in 2007 and is being kept in the best of condition.

An ancient fort on nearby Trusty’s Hill was occupied by Iron Age people and may have been attacked and burned by a Pictish raiding party, who carved a series of symbol stones in a rock beside the entrance passage.

Anne Ross Cousin’s hymn, The Sands of Time are Sinking, mentions Anwoth, because of its historic spiritual connection with Samuel Rutherford. Verses 9 & 10 of her original nineteen stanza poem are:

Fair Anwoth by the Solway, to me thou still art dear,
Even from the verge of heaven, I drop for thee a tear.
Oh! If one soul from Anwoth meet me at God’s right hand,
My heaven will be two heavens, In Immanuel’s land.

Sources – CyberHymnal and Wikipedia
*
Another great hymn by Anne R. Cousin is worth listening to an meditating on the words. She sums up what we desire for all who visit this blog.

Is Jesus Able To Redeem?

Based on:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 KJV)

Words: Anne R. Cousin (1824-1906).
Music: Esrom, Ira D. Sankey (1840-1908)

Is Jesus able to redeem
A sinner lost, like me?
My sins so great, so many seem!
O sinner, “come and see.”

The blood that Jesus shed of old
Was shed for you and me:
And there is room within the fold—
O “come to Him and see.”

Is Jesus willing to forgive
A rebel child, like me?
Who would not in His favor live?
O rebel, “come and see.”

The blood that Jesus shed of old
Was shed for you and me:
And there is room within the fold—
O “come to Him and see.”

Is Jesus waiting to relieve
A wanderer, like me,
Who chose the Father’s house to leave?
O wanderer, “come and see.”

The blood that Jesus shed of old
Was shed for you and me:
And there is room within the fold—
O “come to Him and see.”

Is Jesus ready now to save
A guilty one, like me,
Who brought Him to the cross and grave?
Come, guilty one, and see.

The blood that Jesus shed of old
Was shed for you and me:
And there is room within the fold—
O “come to Him and see.”
*

The Gospel Message

Red-billed Quelea – Unity Unplugged

April 9, 2011 by a j mithra

Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) ©©JoMur

Red-billed Quelea – Unity Unplugged ~ by a j mithra

The term quelea bird usually refers to the species Quelea quelea, the Red-billed Quelea, native to bush, grasslands, and savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. Red-billed Quelea is one of the weavers, birds that build elaborate enclosed nests by weaving together strands of grass and other plant materials. There are more than one hundred species of weavers—most of them live in Africa, but others are found in the Arabian Peninsula, India, Southeast Asia, China, and Indonesia.

Most weavers don’t clash with humans, but a flock of Red-billed Quelea, sometimes called locust birds, is a flock of pest birds that African farmers fear. Red-billed Quelea live and breed in huge flocks which can take up to 5 hours to fly past.

Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) ©WikiC flocking_at_waterhole

They live mostly in steppe and savanna regions, but do not avoid human settlements. While foraging for food they may fly large distances each day without tiring. Their life expectancy is two to three years.

The unity found in these birds is amazing…
Sometimes it takes about five hours for a single flock to fly past..
How many seats are filled in our churches every Sunday?
Though we say that we live as a family, unity is found wanting in most Christian families..
If only each family is bound together by the chord of His love, there would be a great revival in our churches…

After all ministry starts at home isn’t it?

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

They never tire to fly long distances each day in search of food…
How far do we seek as a family in search of spiritual food?

This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less. And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. (Exodus 16:16-18)

Each person’s daily quota of manna is about 2 litres..
How much of spiritual manna do we have each day?

If our spiritual strength depends upon the intake of spiritual manna, we need to check how strong we’re in spirit…

Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) ©WikiC

Found in bush, grassland, cultivation and savannah this is one of Kenya’s most studied birds. It is, to put it bluntly, the greatest avian agricultural pest in the whole of the Afrotropical region. Being highly gregarious as well as nomadic, flocks containing hundreds of thousands and sometimes even millions of individuals can devastate cereal crops. They roost in such massive numbers that they can break thick tree branches.

These small 20 gram birds can break thick tree branches, but, God doesn’t need a big army to bring Deliverance to His people…

The unity of Jonathan and his arm bearer brought deliverance to Israel..
The unity of just 300 of Gideon’s men was enough to bring deliverance to his people..
We as a church are not able to break satan’s plans, why?
It is not because of the dwindling number in our churches or the lack of unity?

If unity is lost, how is it possible to overcome the enemy and how is it possible to extend the kingdom of God?

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Mathew 18:20)

When God comes amongst us, we can surely say,

And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:30-31)

At first light the flocks leave their roost to go for water and from a distance it looks as though a grass fire has started. The Queleas form into dense, highly synchronised flocks which look like clouds of smoke, and then, as the flock approaches you, the numbers are so vast their wing-beats sound like a high wind.

These birds go in search of water at the first light of the day..
We say that Jesus is the living water, but do we drink Him at the first light of the day?
Doctors say that drinking water the first thing in the morning, heals a lot of ailments from diabetes to ulcer..
If water can bring healing to our body, how much healing can the Living water bring to our body, mind and soul?

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:13-14)

The flock breeds at times of abundant rainfall and young are ready to move with the nomadic flock within six weeks—often coinciding with the ripening of grain crops. A nesting colony of Red-billed Quelea can extend over hundreds of acres, and a single flock may number millions of birds, moving together in a synchronized fashion.

Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) Flock ©©AlastairRae

A flock of Red-billed Quelea has been described as looking like a rolling cloud passing over a grain field or a grass fire sweeping over the grassland. It might as well be a grass fire, for when a huge flock of these bird pests leaves a field of millet, sorghum, or other cereal crop, scarcely a grain will be left behind. Grasses and cultivated wheat crops are highly attractive to them, and wherever there is grain and a source of water in Africa, there is a risk of a quelea bird outbreak.

The food of the Red-billed Quelea consists of annual grasses, seeds and grain. As soon as the sun comes up, they come together in their huge flocks and co-operate in finding a suitable feeding place.

Every day the Sun of Righteousness comes up in our lives, but, the question is, do we come together and most importantly co-operate in finding a suitable feeding place..

It has become a fashion for the members of a family to go to different churches on Sundays..
Where is the co-operation?
It has become a thing of the past for a family to sit together during taking part in the breaking of bread…
Should we not learn from these birds about finding a suitable feeding place together?
The Bible encourages corporate feeding..

Well, Jesus Himself set an example of corporate feeding when He fed the multitudes and also during the last supper…

And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. (Mark 6:39-42)

After a successful search, they settle rapidly and can cause serious damage to crops. In the middle part of the day they rest in shady areas near water and preen. Birds seem to prefer drinking at least twice a day. In the evening they once again fly in search of food.

How much we can learn from these birds…
They search for food together, seek water together twice every day, they preen together, and even fly again in the evening in search of food..
They are so sure about the power of staying together…

The Bible tells us so much about the power of staying together, but do we live like these bird? Let us live together like Psalm 133.

Red-billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) ©©pegash

Breeding is localized and erratic but often colonies include tens of thousands to millions of pairs. The breeding season begins with the seasonal rains, which come at different times in different parts of their range – starting at the north-western edge around the beginning of November. The breeding males first weave half-complete ovoid nests from grass and straw. After the female has examined the construction and the mating has occurred, This mating style of these birds remind us of what Jesus said before ascending to heaven..

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. (John 14:3)

The female lays two to four light blue eggs, and incubates them for twelve days. After the chicks hatch, they are nourished for some days with caterpillars and protein-rich insects. After this time parents change to mainly feeding seeds.

The young birds fledge and become independent enough to leave their parents after approximately two weeks in the nest. They are sexually mature after just one year, but many birds die before reaching this stage and males may weave nests that go unused if the female dies.

These males weave the nest that go unused if the female dies..
Is the church dead or alive?
Let us not be complacent for Jesus may use the unused if His bride, the church is dead…
Let us examine if we still have life or if we live like white washed graves…

The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. (Psalm 115:17

Have a blessed day!

Your’s in YESHUA,
a j mithra

Please visit us at:
Crosstree
ajmithra21

Weavers, Widowbirds – Ploceidae Family
Passeriformes Order

Formed By Him – Plants and Pollinator Birds

April 8, 2011 by Lee

Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa) by Ian

And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. (Genesis 1:30 KJV)

God has created an amazing bird, the Malachite Sunbird, and a beautiful flower, Babiana Ringens or “Rat’s Tail,” that both need one another to help meet their needs. The bird wants the nectar the flower produces and the flower needs to pollinate and is helped by the birds feathers. To help the two, the flower was created with a perch for the “long-tailed” bird to perch on while drinking nectar.

“Babiana ringens has a bright red floral display situated close to ground level . Its red colour , long corolla tubes and copious nectar supply make it attractive to sunbirds, which seem to be the primary pollinators of this plant. A strange, fleshy, twig-like structure projects above the plant giving it the common name of “rotstert ” or “rat’s tail.” The sole function of this twig-structure is that it provides a perching platform for sunbirds, which presumably “feel more comfortable” pollinating the plant from this vantage point than from the ground (Anderson et al. 2005). Having this perch increases outcrossing rates and positions birds correctly for efficient pollen transfer (Anderson et al. 2005). Anderson et al. (2005) also showed that male sunbirds were more particular about the presence or absence of a perch which they ascribed to territoriality or perhaps because using a perch is less likely to damage the long tail sported only by males than if they used the ground. This is arguably the most specialized bird perch in the world.” (To see whole article – Click Here)

Malachite Sunbird - plant for - Rats Tail (babiana ringens) ©©JG in SF

From Creation Moments:

Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps … Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl… (Psalm 148:7, 10)

Could a plant devise a special growth for itself so that it becomes inviting to its only pollinator? If evolution was true, how could such a plant survive until it could learn enough about its pollinator, and about genetics, to evolve a special growth just for that pollinator.

Those sound like silly questions, but if evolution is true, they must be answered, and answered scientifically. A South African plant called the “Rat’s Tail” grows a seemingly purposeless spear that extends near its flowers. Theorizing that the spear might be a bird-perch for a pollinator, scientists closely watched some of the plants in the wild. They learned that the only bird that seems interested in pollinating the plant is a bird called the “Malachite Sunbird.” The scientists then removed the spikes from some of the plants. The result was that male sunbirds were far less likely to visit and pollinate those plants. As a result, perchless-plants only produced half as many seeds as plants with perches. Researchers pointed out that this arrangement makes sense because male sunbirds have long tails that can be damaged by ground landings.

However, if we conclude that the Rat’s Tails were created for the sunbirds, and the sunbirds for the Rat’s Tails, we don’t have to find natural explanations for such silly questions. This is simply another of God’s clever designs.

Prayer:
Lord, Your caring hand is all around us. I thank You especially for caring for me by forgiving my sins. Amen.
Notes:
Science News, 6/4/05, p. 365, “Built-in bird perch spreads the pollen.”
___

Malachite Sunbird (Nectarinia famosa) ©©Rainbirder

The Malachite Sunbird is in the Nectariniidae – Sunbirds Family of the Passeriformes Order or Perching Birds and are found across Africa, the Middle East and into South-east Asia.

The breeding male Malachite Sunbird, which has very long central tail feathers, is 25cm long, and the shorter-tailed female 15 cm. The adult male is metallic green when breeding, with blackish-green wings with small yellow pectoral patches. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the male’s upperparts are brown apart from the green wings and tail, the latter retaining the elongated feathers. The underparts in eclipse plumage are yellow, flecked with green.

The female has brown upperparts and dull yellow underparts with some indistinct streaking on the breast. Her tail is square-ended. The juvenile resembles the female.

This species, like most sunbirds, feed mainly on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. This sunbird may hunt in a similar manner to a flycatcher, hawking for insect prey from a perch. Most sunbird species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed most of the time. As a fairly large sunbird, the Malachite Sunbird is no exception. They have long thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both adaptations to nectar feeding.

Wordless Birds

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Little Egret

April 7, 2011 by Ian

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) by Ian

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Little Egret ~ by Ian Montgomery

Newsletter ~ 4/6/11

I’ve recently been updating the Heron and Egret galleries (Ardeidae) on the website and I noticed that the elegant Little Egret hadn’t yet featured as bird of the week. Its one of five species of egret resident in Australia and in breeding plumage it is easily distinguished by the only one to have a pair of head plumes – as in the first photo – in addition to breast and back plumes. The only other egrets globally with these head plumes are the closely related Snowy Egret of the Americas and the possibly conspecific Western Reef Egret, neither of which has been recorded in mainland Australia (there are records of the Western Reef Egret in the Cocos Islands).

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) by Ian

In non-breeding plumage, it lacks plumes and is most easily separated from the similarly-sized Intermediate Egret by having a dark bill rather than a yellow or orange one. It’s best and worst field mark is the yellowish feet – best because this feature is shared only with Snowy and Western Reef Egrets and worst because you usually can’t see the colour of the feet in their normal habitat – wetlands – though visible in flight as in the second photo.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) by Ian

Little Egrets are versatile feeders and often dash frantically around in shallow water, Greenshank-like, in search of small vertebrates. They also feed by stirring up prey with their feet and will also take fish, as in the third photo. This one has just grabbed a fish and is rushing off to avoid the attention of the nearby Royal Spoonbills. Egrets and Spoonbills often try to steal each others food. For examples, have a look at http://www.birdway.com.au/threskiornithidae/royal_spoonbill/source/royal_spoonbill_c35816f.htm (spoonbill chasing spoonbill) and http://www.birdway.com.au/threskiornithidae/royal_spoonbill/source/royal_spoonbill_c35824f.htm (great egret chasing spoonbill).

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) by Ian

In Australia, the Little Egret is commonest in northern Australia, but also occurs in smaller numbers in eastern and southeastern Australia, in Tasmania in winter and in central and western Australia when conditions are suitable. It also extends widely through Eurasia and Africa. The Australian race has yellow lores between the bill and the eye, but that of the nominate Eurasian race normally has blue-grey lores as in the fourth photo of one on a beach at the Cape of Good Hope. Globally, Little Egrets are quite variable and their taxonomy is still poorly understood.

Like other egrets, the global population of Little Egrets suffered severely in the late 19th century because of the fashion trade in plumes. It was this trade in plumes that lead to the establishment of the RSPB in 1889, a silver lining if there was one, and populations have recovered since.

Links:

Herons and Egrets (Ardeidae)

Snowy Egret

Spoonbills and Ibises (Threskiornithidae)

Best wishes,

Ian

—
Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Phone: 0411 602 737 +61-411 602 737
Preferred Email: ian@birdway.com.au
Website: http://birdway.com.au

Lee’s Addition:

the stork, the heron after its kind, and the hoopoe and the bat. (Deuteronomy 14:18 NKJV)

The Egrets keep company with Heron and Bitterns in the Ardeidea Family of the large Pelecaniformes Order which includes the Pelicans, Ibises, Spoonbills, Hamerkop and Shoebill.

The Heron is one of the birds mentioned in the Bible, so is found in our Birds of the Bible – Heron page.

Formed By Him – Hornbills, Monkeys and Eagles

April 5, 2011 by Lee

Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata) ©Wiki

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Romans 11:33 NASB)

Hornbills that Understand Monkey

The Yellow-casqued Hornbill (Ceratogymna elata) is found in the primeval rain forest of coastal regions of West Africa, for example in Côte d’Ivoire.

Yellow-casqued Hornbills are one of the largest birds of the forest, with adults weighing up to 2 kg. They live mainly in the forest canopy, feeding on the ground only rarely. They live in small family groups containing at least one adult male and female, with one or two immature birds, though they sometimes gather in larger flocks to exploit a major food supply such as an ant or termite nest.

Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) ©WikiC

“The birds are occasionally preyed upon by Crowned Eagles, and they respond to the presence of an eagle (sometimes indicated by its characteristic shriek) by mobbing, i.e. approaching it and emitting calls. Since the eagles depend on surprise to make a catch, this frequently causes them to leave the area.” (Wikipedia edited)

“With the exception of basic messages such as aggression, communication between two entirely different species has seldom been observed among animals in the wild. We know that many animals among the same species give each other specific warnings about an impending danger.” One example is “researchers have found that a downy woodpecker responds to alarm calls from chickadees.” “However, scientists have never noted one species recognizing the specific warning given by a second species.

Diana Monkey at the Henry Doorly Zoo ©WikiC

Diana monkeys on the Ivory Coast of Africa face two primary threats, leopards and crowned eagles. When one of these threats appears, the spotter gives a very specific bark-like call depending on the type of threat. Of course, the monkeys need to respond differently to each threat whether it comes from the leopard below or the eagle above. So it helps them to know what they are facing. On the other hand, a bird named the yellow hornbill is threatened only by the crowned eagles. Researchers noted that these birds ignored the monkeys’ warning about the leopards. But when the monkeys signaled danger from the eagle, the bird took defensive measures. Researchers confirmed their observations using tape recorded monkey calls. The researchers were amazed that these birds understood the monkey warnings in an intelligent manner.”

Such intelligence comes from the Creator, Who has given the gift of such intelligence to His creatures in a way that provides for their survival. This shows His loving care for His creation.

Sources:
Science News, 3/20: 2004, p. 188 Science News, “Hornbills know which monkey calls to heed.”
Copyright © 2011, Creation Moments, PO Box 839, Foley, MN 56329, http://www.creationmoments.com/ and from Wikipedia

Yellow-casqued Hornbills are in the Hornbill-Bucerotidae Family of the Bucerotiformes Order which includes the Hoopoes, Wood Hoopoes, and the Ground Hornbills. Crowned Eagles are found in the Kites, Hawks and Eagles – Accipitridae Family.

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