Birds of the Bible – Cuckoo II

November 19, 2009 by Lee

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) Neal Addy Gallery

And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,
(Leviticus 11:16 KJV) and (Deuteronomy 14:15)

Common Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) by Nikhil

The verses above are interesting because the cuckow (cuckoo) is taken from the Hebrew word, ” שחף or shachaph” (H7828), and is only used in those two verses. Some translate it as “cuckow” (KJV, Webster), “cuckoo” (YLT), “seamew or sea-mew” (ASV, JPS, RV), “sea-hawk” (BBE), and the rest “sea-gull or sea gull” (Darby, ESV, GW, MKJV, NASB, NKJV). From the Jewish Encyclopedia about the Cuckoo, “The A. V. rendering of (shaḥaf) in Lev. xi. 16 and Deut. xiv. 15. In both places it occurs in the list of unclean birds. This identification, however, is only a conjecture, and there is no certain tradition to support it. The Targum transcribes the Hebrew word. The Septuagint gives λάρος (“sea-gull”). The R. V. rendering is “seamew,” which is accepted by Gesenius, Bertholet, and Driver in their commentaries, and by Baentsch and Lewyson (“Zoologie des Talmuds,” p. 182). The cuckoo, however, is found in Palestine, where it passes the summer. Two varieties are met with—the common and the spotted cuckoo.”

Asian Emerald Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx maculatus) by Nikhil

Whether it is in the cuckoo or the gull family, it is not clear. What is clear is that it was not to be eaten. For this article, I am going to concentrate on the Cuculidae Family which includes the Cuckoo, Ani, Roadrunner, Coucal, Coua, Malkoha, Koel, Drongo-Cuckoo, and Hawk-Cuckoo. All of these are in the Cuculiformes Order and all were created by the Lord.

“The Cuckoos are medium to large birds some with a long tail; species range in lenght from 6.6-28 in. (16-70 cm). The bill of all species is basically the same, varying only in size: fairly short, strong or stout, and slightly decurved”. (Complete Birds of the World, National Geographical) They are generally medium sized slender birds. The cuckoos feed on insects, insect larvae and a variety of other animals, as well as fruit. Many species are brood parasites, laying their eggs in the nests of other species, but the majority of species raise their own young.

Zygodactyl arrangement of toes – Wikipedia

“One of the most important distinguishing features of the family are the feet, which are zygodactyl, meaning that the two inner toes pointed forward and the two outer backward. There are two basic body forms, arboreal species (like the Common Cuckoo) which are slender and have short tarsi, and terrestrial species (like the roadrunners) which are more heavy set and have long tarsi. Almost all species have long tails which are used for steering in terrestrial species and as a rudder during flight in the arboreal species. The wing shape also varies with lifestyle, with the more migratory species like the Black-billed Cuckoo possessing long narrow wings capable of strong direct flight, and the more terrestrial and sedentary cuckoos like the coucals and malkohas having shorter rounded wings and a more laboured gliding flight.”

Below are photos of some of the birds in the Cuculidae Family in IOC 2009 order.

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Ian’s Bird of the Week – White-throated Needletail

November 17, 2009 by Ian

White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) by Ian

My (Ian’s) apologies for a late bird of the week – this should have gone out last week.

The White-throated Needletail is a large swift, length 20cm/8in, that visits eastern Australia in the southern summer. It’s main claim to fame is that, in level flight, it is one of the fastest, perhaps the fastest, bird in the world with a claimed top speed of 170km/105miles per hour. (The Peregrine Falcon can reach supposedly 300km/200miles per hour in a dive, but that’s a different event in the avian Olympics.)

Swifts are the most aerial of birds and feed, drink and maybe even sleep on the wing. It used to be thought that White-throated Needletails never landed in Australia, but recent studies with radio-tracking show that they can roost in trees, though it is uncertain how predominate this is. They follow weather systems and are often associated with stormy weather. The ones in the photographs appeared near my house last week during showery weather and the birds appeared to be feeding over trees.

White-throated Needletail (Hirundapus caudacutus) by Ian

The White-throated Needletail has a barrel-shaped body and a blunt tail, distinguishing it from the slimmer Fork-tailed Swift which also migrates to Australia. The name ‘needletail’ refers to short spiny ends to the tail feathers, just visible if you look carefully at the first photo.

Fast fliers are naturally a challenge to photograph. I practice keeping both eyes open so that I can track the bird until it becomes visible in the viewfinder. Camera settings that help are fast shutter speeds – 1/3000 and 1/5000 sec in these photos – obtainable by using maximum aperture with manual settings and aperture priority and/or high ISO film speed. Some telephoto lenses permit distant settings (eg > 5.6m) to aid automatic focusing and I use a single focusing point in the center of the field of view.

Recent additions to the website include photos of Black-necked Stork/Jabiru and the elusive Black Falcon .

—
Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Phone: +61-7 4751 3115
Preferred Email: ian@birdway.com.au
Website: http://birdway.com.au

Lee’s Addition:

Even the stork in the heavens Knows her appointed times; And the turtledove, the swift, and the swallow Observe the time of their coming. But My people do not know the judgment of the LORD.
(Jeremiah 8:7 NKJV)

Here’s some additional information about these birds:

“These birds have very short legs which they use only for clinging to vertical surfaces. They build their nests in rock crevices in cliffs or hollow trees. They never settle voluntarily on the ground and spend most of their lives in the air, living on the insects they catch in their beaks.

These swifts breed in rocky hills in central Asia and southern Siberia. This species is migratory, wintering south to Australia. It is a rare vagrant in western Europe, but has been recorded as far west as Norway, Sweden and Great Britain.

The White-throated Needletail is a large bird, similar in size to Alpine Swift, but a quite different build, with a heavier barrel-like body. They are black except for a white throat, white undertail, which extends on to the flanks, and a somewhat paler brown back.

The Hirundapus needletailed swifts get their name from the spiny end to the tail, which is not forked as in the Apus typical swifts. “These are all part of the Apodiformes Order, which includes the Apodidae – Swift Family.

Hirundapus – Genus
White-throated Needletail
Purple Needletail
Silver-backed Needletail
Brown-backed Needletail
Birds of the Bible – Swift
Swift Photos
Swift Videos

Birds of the Bible – Singing Birds

November 12, 2009 by Lee

By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. (Psalms 104:12 NKJV)

Savannah Sparrow by Ray

Many birds do their singing to either claim their territory, their partner, or sing because of their new young babies. Many just sing because God put a song in their heart.

According to R. A. Torrey’s New Topical Textbook the above verse, birds “Have each their peculiar note or song.” Whereas Nave’s Topical Bible titles the verse as “Songs of, at the break of day.” Referring to a bird singing both refer to Psalms 104:12, Ecclesiastes 12:4 and Song of Solomon 2:12. Not only has God created the different birds, but has given them various voices even amongst their own kind. Warblers, of which there are many kinds, have distinct voices. I have to admit that I enjoy some bird songs much more than others, as you do also.

From the commentaries about Psalm 104:12, here are some of their thoughts:
Albert Barnes’ Notes – “Which sing among the branches – Margin, as in Hebrew, “give a voice.” Their voice is heard – their sweet music – in the foliage of the trees which grow on the margin of the streams and by the fountains. There is scarcely to be found a more beautiful poetic image than this.”
Geneva Bible Translation Notes – “There is no part of the world so barren where most evident signs of God’s blessing do not appear.”
John Gill’s Exposition – “By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation,…. Another use of the springs, fountains, and rivers of water; by the sides and on the shores of these, some birds delight to be, and on trees that grow here do they build their nests; and here, having wetted their throats, they sit, and chirp, and sing: to doves, by rivers of water, is the allusion in Son_5:12.”
“Which sing among the branches; of trees that grow by the sides of fountains and rivers; see Eze_17:23. To such birds may saints be compared; being, like them, weak, defenceless, and timorous; liable to be taken in snares, and sometimes wonderfully delivered; as well as given to wanderings and strayings: and to fowls of the heaven, being heaven born souls, and partakers of the heavenly calling. These have their habitation by the fountain of Jacob, by the river of divine love, beside the still waters of the sanctuary; where they sing the songs of Zion, the songs of electing, redeeming, and calling grace.”
Matthew Henry – ” The birds. Some birds, by instinct, make their nests in the bushes near rivers (Psa_104:12): By the springs that run among the hills some of the fowls of heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. They sing, according to their capacity, to the honour of their Creator and benefactor, and their singing may shame our silence. Our heavenly Father feeds them (Mat_6:26), and therefore they are easy and cheerful, and take no thought for the morrow. The birds being made to fly above the earth (as we find, Gen_1:20), they make their nests on high, in the tops of trees (Psa_104:17); it should seem as if nature had an eye to this in planting the cedars of Lebanon, that they might be receptacles for the birds. Those that fly heavenward shall not want resting-places.

Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! (1 Chronicles 16:8-9 NKJV)

Video of a Willow Warbler singing from a Hawthorn

Last but not least, we have a Song Sparrow singing by Tstormer on YouTube

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

November 8, 2009 by Ian

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) by Ian

Newsletter – 11/5/2009

This one should perhaps be called Book of the Week, as my choice of species is to mark the release by Dorling Kindersley Australia of ‘BIRD Australia’ and I’m celebrating because they used more than 200 of my photos. Dorling Kindersley is part of Penguin Group and specializes in richly illustrated reference works. If you were on this list 2 years ago (20 November 2007), you would have received a Gibberbird photo and news of the publication of the original UK edition ‘BIRD The Definitive Visual Guide’, which included more than 100 of my photos.

The first photo of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, in light of the setting sun, appears as a double page spread in ‘BIRD Australia’. I’m biased, of course, and think it is a splendid book, so I’ll quote the objective Graeme Hamilton, CEO of Birds Australia (the organization not the book), who says in the foreword: “BIRD Australia superbly illustrates the astonishing diversity of Australian birds . . .”. Christmas is coming so check it out: http://www.penguin.com.au/lookinside/spotlight.cfm?SBN=9781740336994&Page=details .

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) by Ian

The first photo was taken in December 2005 from an apartment in Potts Point. The apartment belongs to friends of mine and I regularly stay there when visiting Sydney. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are visitors there too and sometimes come up from the Domain to perch on the balcony.

When I took that photo, I later regretted not using a smaller aperture to improve the depth of field and make the background icons sharper. It’s one of the rules of bird photography that you (almost) never get the same opportunity twice. Rules are made to be broken, and the Cockatoos reappeared when I was visiting Sydney in March of this year. This time it was a wet and windy day, and the ruffled feathers and crest of the Cockatoo in the second photo seemed to me to be mimicking the sails on the Opera House.

Recent additions to the website include more photos from the northern trip:

Black-tailed Treecreeper
Pied Heron
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Red-headed Honeyeater
Bar-breasted Honeyeater
Crested Pigeon
Eastern Osprey

Best wishes,
Ian

Preferred Email: ian@birdway.com.au
Website: http://birdway.com.au

Lee’s Addition:

Talk about a “bad hair day” (feather day in this case)! What a beautiful bird! Many of these birds have been tamed and make nice pets, though I think they should be free to roam. You can enjoy more of Ian’s Sulphur-crested Cockatoo photos (Click here), All photos of Ian’s (Australian) Cockatoos & Allies – [Family: Cacatuidae]

For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. (James 3:7 NKJV)

Cockatoos are in the Psittaciformes Order which includes Cacatuidae family of Cockatoos, the Strigopidae family of New Zealand Parrots and the Psittacidae’s, which are all the rest of the Parrots and their allies.

“A cockatoo is any of the 21 species belonging to the bird family Cacatuidae. Along with the Psittacidae (the true parrots) and the Strigopidae, they make up the order Psittaciformes. The name cockatoo originated from the Malay name for these birds, kaka(k)tua (either from kaka “parrot” + tuwah, or “older sister” from kakak “sister” + tua, “old”). Placement of the cockatoos as a separate family is fairly undisputed, but it is not resolved whether or not other living lineages of parrots (such as the lories and lorikeets) are as distinct as they appear. The family has an Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia.

Cockatoos are, on average, larger than true parrots; however, the Cockatiel, the smallest cockatoo, is a small bird, while the largest cockatoo, the Palm Cockatoo, at 55–60 cm (22–24 in) long is smaller than the larger macaws and several other parrots. Their plumage is generally less colourful than that of other parrots, being mainly white, grey or black with some colour elsewhere. They have strong bills and feet, and are instantly recognisable by their showy crests. The diet of the cockatoos is composed of seeds, tubers, corms, fruit, flowers and insects. They often feed in large flocks, particularly if they feed on the ground. Cockatoos are monogamous and nest in tree hollows.

Cockatoos are popular birds in aviculture, although, for some species, the largely illegal trade in wild-caught parrots has threatened their survival. Some cockatoo species are adversely affected by habitat loss and particularly by the loss of suitable hollows for nesting when large, mature trees are cleared; conversely, some species have adapted well to human changes and are considered agricultural pests.” (From Wikipedia – Cockatoo)

Birds of the Bible – Wayside Sower Birds

November 5, 2009 by Lee

By the Wayside – Brandt’s Mountain Finch (Leucosticte brandti) by Nikhil

Have your ever listened to someone talking, but you really didn’t hear them? Maybe your mind was on something else. Have you ever listened to someone, you were hearing them, but you just didn’t get what they were saying? It just didn’t make sense to you. Well, that is where our Bird of the Bible this week gets its food.

Among rocks – Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

I can see you now trying to find these “Wayside Sower Birds” in your latest, up to date, birding handbook. No, these birds are mentioned in the Bible, in the Parable of the Sower. These birds are not named specifically, so it could be any kind of bird that likes to eat along the wayside of a planted field. Let’s look at what is being said about them.

Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. (Matthew 13:3-4 NKJV)
Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. (Mark 4:3-4 NKJV)
A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. (Luke 8:5 NKJV)

Among thorns – Citrine Wagtail (Motacilla citreola) by Nikhil

The parable goes on and tells of the seed landing on rocks, in thorn bushes and also on good ground. The Lord later explained it to His disciples as:

Therefore hear the parable of the sower: (19) When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. (20) But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; (21) yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (22) Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. (23) But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Matthew 13:18-23 NKJV)

Good ground – American Yellow Warbler (Dendroica aestiva) by J Fenton

May we all receive the seed (Word of God) on good ground and not be deaf to the truth of God, letting what you hear fall by the wayside.

Gospel Message

Wordless Birds

When I Consider! – Complexity

November 4, 2009 by Lee

When I Consider!

Evidence From Biology – October 15

The more we learn about life, the greater the complexity we find. There were no sophisticated microscopes 150 years ago. Consequently, the leap of complexity from single-to-multiple-call organisms was greatly underestimated. The development of the computer has given us an even greater appreciation for the enormous complexity, extreme miniaturization, and vast storage capabilities of the brain. Consider a few other giant leaps that evolutionists must accept in order to hold onto their faith in evolution:

Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) by Ian

1. Flight somehow evolved on at least four different occasions (birds, insects, reptiles, mammals).

2. Photosynthesis somehow developed.

3. Cold-blooded animals somehow turned into warm-blooded animals.

4. Floating marine plants somehow changed into complex plants with roots, stems, and leaf systems.

5. Placental animals (the off-spring develop inside of their mother) somehow turned into marsupial animals (their off-spring develop within a pouch).

6. Egg-laying animals somehow developed the ability to give live births.

7. Insects somehow learned to totally rearrange themselves and change form in a process called metamorphosis (such as a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly).

8. Land mammals and reptiles such as whales, seals, dolphins, ichthyosaurs, and plesiosaurs somehow crawled back into the sea and developed all of the specialized organs needed for sea survival.

In the Beginning, 7th ED., p.17

Blessed is he…whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them… (Psalm 146:5-6)

(Article typed by Phyllis)

See the following articles at Creation Moments:

25 Reasons to Doubt the Theory of Evolution
The Miracle of Photosynthesis
The Insect with Two Brains
The God of Science

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Raja (Radjah) Shelduck

November 1, 2009 by Ian

Newsletter – 10/28/2009

Raja Shelduck by Ian

The Radjah Shelduck is a rather handsome duck of coastal tropical Australia. From a distance, the plumage looks black and white, but the dark plumage is actually chestnut. It is often seen feeding by dabbling in shallow water, as in the first photo, working its way around the margins of lagoons and wetlands. Such areas can get very muddy towards the end of the dry season and the white plumage of the birds becomes stained, as in the bird coming in to land in the second photo. In flight the green speculum on the upper surface of the wings is conspicuous as shown in the third photo.

Pair of Raja Shelduck by Ian

The range of the Radjah Shelduck currently extends from Broome in the west to Rockhampton in the east, though it is scarce to rare outside the Northern Territory. It also found in New Guinea and eastern Indonesia. It used to occur as far south as northeastern New South Wales. It occurs on both fresh and saltwater,and is usually seen in pairs or small flocks. When resting, it often perches in paperbark trees over water and it nests in tree hollows.

I’m progressively adding photos from the northern trip to the website. Recent additions include:

Brahminy Kite
Azure Kingfisher
Crimson Finch
Rufous-banded Honeyeater
and Silver-crowned, Helmeted and Little Friarbirds

Best wishes,
Ian
—
Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Phone: +61-7 4751 3115
Preferred Email: ian@birdway.com.au
Website: http://birdway.com.au

Lee’s Addition:

The latest I.O.C. list of bird names lists the Radjah as Raja Shelduck. They keep changing things and it is hard to keep up with them. At least the left the “Shelduck” part alone.

The genus name Tadorna comes from Celtic roots and means “pied waterfowl”, essentially the same as the English “shelduck”.

Raja Shelduck showing collar by Ian

Both the male and female of the species are mostly white, with dark wingtips and a distinctive “collar” of dark feathers. Seen from above in flight, the birds have green bands on the tops of their wings. The female has a harsh rattle and the male has a breathy, sore-throat whistle.

The species prefers the brackish waters of mangrove flats and paperbark tree swamps, but will visit freshwater swamps, lagoons, and billabongs further inland during the wet season.

The Raja Shelduck forms long-term pair-bonds, and is usually encountered in lone pairs or small flocks. During the wet season the males commonly become very irritable, and have been observed attacking their mates.

The diet consists mainly of mollusks, insects, sedge materials and algae. Pairs start searching for nesting sites during the months of January and February. They nest close to their primary food source, often in the hollow limbs of trees, which makes habitat destruction a particular issue.

Raja Shelduck does not use nesting materials except for some self-supplied down feathers. Egg-laying is usually done by May or June, but depends on the extent of the wet season. The clutches range from 6 to 12 eggs. Incubation time is about 30 days.

The Raja Shelduck is listed as a protected bird in all states of Australia and penalties exist for harming or disturbing them.

I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. (Psalms 50:11 NASB)

Information from Wikipedia with editing.

To see more of these Birds of the Week

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Wedge-tailed Eagle

November 1, 2009 by Ian

Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) by Ian

Newsletter – 8/13/2009

The choice this week of Wedge-tailed Eagle was inspired by reading about the project to reintroduce Golden Eagles to Ireland, see http://www.goldeneagle.ie/ . There is good news and bad news there, but more about that later.

Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) and Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are very closely related and considered by some to belong to a ‘super-species’. The genus Aquila, the classical eagles, comprises 12 species and all have feathered legs, giving them a trousered appearance as in the first photo. The Wedge-tailed Eagle occurs commonly throughout mainland Australia and southern New Guinea as the nominate race (meaning it bears the same name as the species – audax) and in Tasmania as the endangered race fleayi where only 60 – 80 pairs remain.

Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) by Ian

Eagles have long suffered persecution from landholders by shooting and poisoning because of their supposed predation on livestock, particularly lambs. The Golden Eagle and the White-tailed Sea-Eagle became extinct in Ireland early in the 20th century along with other raptors such as the Red Kite, while the Common Buzzard retained a tenuous toe-hold on Rathlin Island, in Northern Ireland, with about 20 pairs. One of the success stories of conservation in Ireland is that Buzzards have recolonized most of Ireland since the use of Strychnine as a ‘pest’ bait – aimed at foxes and Hooded Crows – was banned in the Irish Republic in 1990. http://www.birdway.com.au/accipitridae/common_buzzard/index.htm

One of my regrets as a youngster in Ireland – even before I became a fanatical birdwatcher – was that the skies of the rugged west coast were empty of large raptors. I felt that a soaring eagle – like the Wedge-tailed in the second photo – was the one thing lacking from such dramatic and romantic landscapes. I have a clear memory of climbing Slievemore (‘big mountain’) in Achill Island, Co Mayo, at the age of 9 or 10 and deliberately misidentifying a kestrel as an eagle and reporting it to my mother. Sensible mothers, like mine (‘yes, dear’), know how to distinguish childish fantasies from deliberate lies. I’ve only just discovered that the name Achill, is though to derive an old Irish word ‘eccuill’ meaning, you’ve guessed it, eagle. http://www.minauncliffcottages.com/achill_island.htm

Back to the present. There was celebration in Ireland in 2007 on the occasion of the first fledging of a (reintroduced) Golden Eagle in the Irish Republic in over a century in Glen Veigh, a national park in Co. Donegal. The 2008 season produced, disappointingly no new recruits, but I read this morning that the same pair has just reared two young (with a bit of help from their friends). Jubilation has been tempered by the poisoning of some of the Golden Eagles in Donegal, some of the reintroduced White-tailed Sea-Eagles in Killarney, Co. Kerry, and Red Kites in Co. Wicklow. Neither of the latter two species have bred yet, so it remains to be seen whether the sheep farmers of Ireland will continue to disappoint romantic kids, young and old, in the 21st century.

If you want to do something, you can add your signature to a petition about these poisonings being organized by the Golden Eagle Trust. As of today, there were nearly 7,000 signatures from 59 countries with Australia coming 9th with 85 signatures.

Best wishes,
Ian
—
Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Phone: +61-7 4751 3115
Preferred Email: ian@birdway.com.au
Website: http://birdway.com.au

Lee’s Addition:
The eagle is mentioned many times (34 in KJV) in the Bible. They were not to be eaten and I am sure those few remaining pairs are thankful for that. Their strength, rapid and swift flights, gatherings, nests, spreading of wings, and other aspects are mentioned. One of my favorite verses is:

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

Birds of the Bible – More Value

October 27, 2009 by Lee

Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) by Nikhil

We have mentioned the sparrow many times in the blog and about how God takes care of them, as in the following articles:

Birds of the Bible – God’s Care for Birds – Sparrow II – Sparrow I and Eye of the Beholder – House Sparrows

This time, I would like point out the part about being of “more value.” In Matthew 10:29-33, the two sparrows are mentioned as being sold for a farthing, a very small amount. According to A. Barnes’ Notes, “The argument is, that if He takes care of birds of the least value, if He regards so small a thing as the hair of the head, and numbers it, He will certainly protect and provide for you. You need not, therefore, fear what man can do to 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)

Northern Raven (Corvus corax) by Ray

Also: “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7 NASB); “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:24 NKJV) and He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:11-12 NASB)

We see then that “man” has more value than sparrows, ravens, birds, and sheep just from these few verses. Yet, each of them are greatly valued by their creator. Where else are things of value mentioned in Scripture?

David had the opportunity to kill King Saul, but he valued the life of the king more.

May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you into my hand today, but I would not stretch out my hand against the LORD’s anointed. And indeed, as your life was valued much this day in my eyes, so let my life be valued much in the eyes of the LORD, and let Him deliver me out of all tribulation.” (1 Samuel 26:23-24 NKJV)

Wisdom and understanding have great value and Job mentions it in Job 28.

But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? “Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living. (Job 28:12-13 NASB)

Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? “Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living And concealed from the birds of the sky. (Job 28:20-21 NASB)

Zechariah in his prophecy of the future, tells about the price of Christ the Lord as 30 shekels (pieces) of silver.

Then the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them.” So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zechariah 11:13 NASB)

We are of great value to the Lord, so much so, that He gave His Life for our salvation. If you know the Lord as Savior, then, that “knowing Christ Jesus,” has tremendous value.

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:8 NASB)

We trust you do know the Lord and realize how much He loves you and cares for you. Much more than the critters, whom he cares for tremendously.

Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve – October

October 26, 2009 by Lee

My "Zip" (battery operated)

Dan and I have been out to the Circle B twice in the last few weeks. We were there on the 14th and again this last Saturday, the 24th. The birds are definitely getting back down here. What an increase in Wood Storks, several hundreds, and the Roseate Spoonbill started arriving this last week, according to one of the volunteers.

The visit on the 14th, which was briefly mentioned in Stork II, was the first time I tried out my new “Zip”. As has been mentioned before, I have a slight handicap and this is a great assist. Anyway, after unloading it, off we went for a nice 73°F birdwatching adventure on a clear day. Just outside there were about 20 Black and Turkey Vultures hanging out at the brook, which is part of the reserve. Overhead a Great Egret, Osprey and some Boat-tailed Grackles flew by. The Blue Jays, Mourning Doves, Red-Bellied, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, and the elusive, but calling Carolina Wren greeted us on the way to the marsh. Once we got there I was amazed at all the Wood Storks and the others birds that had arrived.

Carolina Wren - Finally

Here is what was spotted (or heard) then in order I spotted them: Turkey and Black Vultures, Blue Jay, Fish Crows, White Egrets, Carolina Wren, Mourning Doves, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Phoebe, Wood Storks – lots, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Tufted Titmouse, Green Heron, Downy Woodpecker, Glossy and White Ibises, Tricolored Herons, Moorhens, Mallards, Ospreys, 2 Spoonbills, Double-crested Cormorants, Anhingas, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks-lots, Great Egret, Cardinals, Red-winged Blackbird, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Cattle Egrets, Belted Kingfisher (finally got sort of a picture of it), Northern Mockingbird, Grey Catbird, Blue-grey Gnatcatchers, Northern Harrier, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Palm Warbler, and the Common and Boat-tailed Grackles. Not a bad 2 hours of birding. A total of 40 identified.

On Saturday, we birded for about an hour before we met a group of about 10-12 AWANA boys from our church. We had been asked to join them as they went birdwatching. We figured we would get pictures before they came, as youngster can be enthusiastic and might spook a few birds. Actually, they did right well and got to see lots of birds. I got to go with them further than normal because my “Zip” was with me.

Roseate Spoonbill

What we saw were about the same birds as before with the following changes. I finally got a picture of that elusive Carolina Wren. I have heard it for months, but never got a look, let alone a photo. It’s not that good, but it’s a prize for me. Up in a tree we spotted what we thought was a Hawk, but when looking at pictures, realized it was the juvenile Bald Eagle. There were a lot more Roseate Spoonbills (20-30), Tufted Titmouse, Sandhill Cranes, Blue-winged Teals have arrived, Snowy Ibises, Pied-Billed Grebes, possible Mottled Ducks, Purple Gallinules, Bald Eagles (a juvenile and adults-3 in one tree), and more unknowns. So, in the two trips the total is 48, not counting the unknowns. I almost forgot the hugh alligator. Someone said about 14 feet long.

Does the eagle mount up at your command, And make its nest on high? From there it spies out the prey; Its eyes observe from afar. (Job 39:27,29 NKJV)

I haven’t added Dan’s photos yet.

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For other birdwatching trips to the Circle B Bar Reserve

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Spotted Harrier

October 23, 2009 by Ian

Newsletter: 10-23-09

A striking raptor that is encountered regularly in small numbers when travelling through the drier parts of Australia is the Spotted Harrier, and we came across several on the trip to Northern Australia. Harriers hunt by patrolling low over open ground flying buoyantly or gliding with upswept wings, relying on stealth to capture terrestrial prey, such a birds, small mammals and reptiles.

Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) by Ian

Like Grass Owls, they have very long legs for seizing prey in grasslands and they often fly with their legs dangling as in the first two photos. This bird has the characteristic, pale-spotted chestnut underparts of the adult plumage but the upperparts are brownish rather than grey and appears sub-adult. The other bird, taken from below, is an adult and has a grey neck and the chestnut facial disc that gives it a slightly owlish appearance.

The Spotted Harrier has a wide distribution in mainland Australia, but occurs in Tasmania only as a vagrant. In wetter areas such as wetlands, it is replaced by the Swamp Harrier. There are 13 species of Harrier worldwide. All of these nest on the ground, with the exception of the Spotted Harrier which nests in small trees.

Recent additions to the website include:

a distant shot of a Sandstone Shrikethrush
and new photos of:
Golden Bowerbird
Wedge-tailed Eagle
Rainbow Bee-eater
(Far) Eastern Curlew

Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) by Ian

Best wishes,
Ian
—
Ian Montgomery, Birdway Pty Ltd,
454 Forestry Road, Bluewater, Qld 4818
Phone: +61-7 4751 3115
Preferred Email: ian@birdway.com.au
Website: http://birdway.com.au

Lee’s Addition:

The harrier is not specifically mentioned by name in the Bible, but it is in the same family with the hawks, kites and eagles, which are all mentioned.

Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? (Job 39:26)

As Ian said, there are 13 Harriers worldwide. There are also 2 Marsh Harriers and 2 Harrier-Hawks. I have shown all of them in Taxonomic order. There are links to the ones I could find. They are part of the Family Accipitridae, which includes Kites, Hawks & Eagles and all are in the ORDER ACCIPITRIFORMES.

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) by Nikhil
Eastern Marsh Harrier (Circus spilonotus) ©
Papuan Harrier (Circus spilothorax) ©
Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) by Ian
African Marsh Harrier (Circus ranivorus) by Africaddict
Reunion Harrier (Circus maillardi) ©
Malagasy Harrier (Circus macrosceles) ©
Long-winged Harrier (Circus buffoni) ©WikiC
Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) by Ian
Black Harrier (Circus maurus) Video by Keith
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) by Jim Fenton
Cinereous Harrier (Circus cinereus) ©
Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus) ©
Pied Harrier (Circus melanoleucos) by Nikhil
Montagu’s Harrier (Circus pygargus) by Ian – Video by Keith
African Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides typus) ©WikiC- Video by Keith
Madagascar Harrier-Hawk (Polyboroides radiatus) ©Wikipedia

Birds in Hymns – Go Out, My Heart, and Seek Delight

October 22, 2009 by Lee

Words: Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676)

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD! (Psalms 105:2-3 NKJV)

An alternative version

Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) ©Wikipedia

Go out, my heart, and seek delight
in golden sunshine, summer bright;
rejoice in God’s gifts daily.
See all of nature’s bright display;
it clothes itself in fine array
for you and me so gaily
for you and me so gaily.

The trees with foliage green are blest,
the earth her dusty face has dressed
in herbage young and tender.
The desert rose and wattle fair
are clothed in raiment far more rare
than Solomon in splendour
than Solomon in splendour.

Oriental Skylark (Alauda gulgula) by Nikhil Devasar

The wedge-tailed eagle in the sky
surveys the world with questing eye,
in lofty circles winging.
The roaring lark with trilling song
sets mountain gorge and billabong
and all the bushland ringing
and all the bushland ringing.

The strutting emu tends his chicks,
the bower-bird gathers twigs and sticks
to arch his glittering treasure.
The flute-call of the butcher-bird
from towering gum tree may be heard
to voice his morning pleasure
to voice his morning pleasure.

Strutting Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) by Ian Struting

From rock-o’ershaded, rippling pool
the waters trickle, soft and cool,
among the ferns and creepers.
While dragon-flies dart here and there,
cicadas’ droning fills the air
and stirs all insect-sleepers
and stirs all insect-sleepers.

The swarming, busy, tireless bees
in zig-zag flight on summer breeze
seek honey-dew so tender,
as scented shrubs and sugared flowers
lift up their petalled heads for hours
their sweetness to surrender
their sweetness to surrender.

Great Bowerbird (Chlamydera nuchalis) by Ian

The desert quandong, orange, plum,
the passion-fruit to ripeness come;
they urge our glad thanksgiving
to him who all these gifts bestows,
and from whom such abandance flows
to gratify our living
to gratify our living.

I cannot, mighty God, be still,
for all your mighty actions fill
my being with elation.
I too must sing when all things sing,
let praises to the Highest ring
which voice my adoration
which voice my adoration.

What a delightful and fantastic hymn. Paul Gerhardt has several more that will be posted later. The last verse is how I also feel about God’s mighty creation and His Love for the critters and especially us.

I cannot, mighty God, be still,
for all your mighty actions fill
my being with elation.
I too must sing when all things sing,
let praises to the Highest ring
which voice my adoration

Most information from The Cyber Hymnal

See ~ Wordless Birds

More ~ Birds in Hymns

Lee's Birdwatching Adventures Plus

Birdwatching from a Christian Perspective

Tag Archives: Birds

Birds of the Bible – Cuckoo II

Ian’s Bird of the Week – White-throated Needletail

Birds of the Bible – Singing Birds

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Birds of the Bible – Wayside Sower Birds

When I Consider! – Complexity

(Article typed by Phyllis)

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Raja (Radjah) Shelduck

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Wedge-tailed Eagle

Birds of the Bible – More Value

Birdwatching at Circle B Bar Reserve – October

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Spotted Harrier

Birds in Hymns – Go Out, My Heart, and Seek Delight

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(Article typed by Phyllis)

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