October’s Bird of the Month – Swan

Black Swan by Dan at Lake Morton

According to Birds and Bloom magazine site, there are Birds of the Month.

“You’ve probably heard of birth month gemstones and birth month flowers, but have you heard of birth month birds? It might come as a surprise to learn every month of the year has not only a representative jewel and flower, but also a bird. From owls to ravens, here are the birds that represent everyone’s birthdays.”

Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) at Brevard Zoo by Lee

Coscoroba Swan (Coscoroba coscoroba) at Brevard Zoo by Lee

More from Birds and Bloom:

October: Swan

Long seen as symbols of romance and grace, swans are beautiful birds. Swans mate for life and only seek a new one if their previous mate dies. These October birth month birds also have a fiercely protective streak; they’ve been known to attack anyone who gets too close to their nest! Three types of swans live in the United States; the trumpeter swan, the tundra swan and the (non-native) mute swan.

“This beautiful swan was stretching its wings out. The thing that stands out to me in the photo is how beautifully and elegantly the swan was posing,”  ….

Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) ©WikiC naturespicsonline

Quite a few of my friends have had birthdays in October, and if you did, now you know your Bird of the Month. Sorry was a bit late getting posted, but it IS STILL October. Trust you had a great birthday.

Depending on what version of the Bible used, the Swan may or not be a Bird of the Bible, but I counted it in when I did the Birds of the Bible – Swan posts.

The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan, (Deuteronomy 14:16 KJV)

the little owl, the screech owl, the white owl, (Deuteronomy 14:16 NKJV)

the little owl, and the great owl, and the swan, (Deuteronomy 14:16 YLT)

The little owl, the great owl, the horned owl, (Deuteronomy 14:16 AMPC)

The little owl and the great owl and the water-hen; (Deuteronomy 14:16 BBE)

little owls, great owls, white owls, (Deuteronomy 14:16 ERV)

All these verses are from the list of Birds Not To Eat for the Israelites. Personally, I have never seen any of these on the menu at my favorite restaurant and don’t plan on eating one of them.

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) with Cygnets ©WashPost

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) at Bok Sanctuary By Dan’sPix

Black Swan by Lee

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) by Ian

Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) by Ian

Swan Goose Lowry Park Zoo

Birds and Blooms Bird of the Month Article Birds and Blooms Bird of the Month

See:

Birds of the Bible – Swans

Anatidae – Ducks, Geese, Swans

Good News

 

 

September’s Bird of the Month – Hawk

Red Sholdered Hawk by Ray

Red Shouldered Hawk by Ray

According to Birds and Bloom magazine site, there are Birds of the Month.

“You’ve probably heard of birth month gemstones and birth month flowers, but have you heard of birth month birds? It might come as a surprise to learn every month of the year has not only a representative jewel and flower, but also a bird. From owls to ravens, here are the birds that represent everyone’s birthdays.”

Birds and Blooms Birds of the month

September: Hawk

They’re not always a welcome sight around feeders, but there’s plenty to admire about hawks. Resourceful and powerful, they’re striking as they hover in the skies or scan fields for prey. These birds of prey aren’t particularly hard to find, but since many look alike, it can be tricky to identify hawks.

Red-tailed Hawk by Ray

Red-tailed Hawk by Ray

“I heard the undeniable screech of a red-tailed hawk (above) while I was out watering my flowers one early summer morning. It didn’t take me long to locate this beautiful, noisy creature. Majestically, it perched on the highest peak of my neighbor’s roof. It was communicating with its mate, which was perched in a nearby tree. I was lucky to see their interaction and snap a shot as it took off and flew away,” says Carol Holliday.

Can you guess the September birth flower?

September is my birthday month. So, along with the rest of you we now know that we should like Hawks, especially if this is our monthly bird. There have been plenty of Hawks presented over the years on this blog. So, let’s take a look at some of them.

Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) ©WikiC

“Does the hawk fly by your wisdom, And spread its wings toward the south? (Job 39:26 NKJV)

Job 39:26 asks us if we are the ones who gave the Hawks their wisdom? We know that God created these beautiful avian wonders.

Hawk Photos   Click on the series of photos.

Here are more articles about Hawks:

What will you do with Jesus?

 

Through My Blinds – Bald Eagle

Eagle Perch I normally see the Eagle. Way over there.

Today while I was eating breakfast, I looked out the window and saw a Bald Eagle on the bank across the water. He sits in a tree which I’ve shown photos of before, but this time he was a lot closer. Lord knows it’s hard for me to get out birdwatching these days, so He graciously has been bringing them here. Thank you, Lord.

Eagle on the bank at breakfast time 8-19-2025

I’m so my glad the phone was on my table. I have seen this eagle several times around the neighborhood lately. On the house next door and on others that have a second story. I guess he wants a good view closer to the pond.

As you know the Eagles are mentioned in the Bible and we have written about them many times here. The “Bald” Eagle always tickles me when I read this verse from Micah 1:6:

“Make yourself bald and cut off your hair, Because of your precious children; Enlarge your baldness like an eagle, For they shall go from you into captivity.”

Of course, Eagles are mentioned many times, in fact there are 23 verses like:

Deu 32:11   “As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings,”

Job 9:26   “They pass by like swift ships, Like an eagle swooping on its prey.”

Job 39:27   “Does the eagle mount up at your command, And make its nest on high?

Pro 23:5   “Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Hab 1:8 “Their horses also are swifter than leopards, And more fierce than evening wolves. Their chargers charge ahead; Their cavalry comes from afar; They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat.”

See other articles about the Bald Eagle:

Birds of the Bible – Eagles – Lists many other article links

Bald Eagle Blessing

Lee’s Six Word Saturday – Mount Up With Wings Like Eagles

Eagles and the Family Circus

Gospel Message

August’s Bird of the Month – Kingfisher

White-collared Kingfisher by Dan's Pix

White-collared Kingfisher by Dan’s Pix

According to Birds and Bloom magazine site, there are Birds of the Month.

“You’ve probably heard of birth month gemstones and birth month flowers, but have you heard of birth month birds? It might come as a surprise to learn every month of the year has not only a representative jewel and flower, but also a bird. From owls to ravens, here are the birds that represent everyone’s birthdays.”

More from Birds and Bloom:

August: Kingfisher

If you’re drawn to water, the kingfisher represents you well. The August birth month birds don’t stray far from water of some kind: rivers, lakes, streams or even swamps. You can find them throughout most of the United States, either year-round or during breeding or migration seasons.

“This is one of my favorite birds, the Belted Kingfisher. I was thrilled to catch this one perched on this branch. They are hard to catch up with as they are always on the move, but this one sat there for a while and posed for us. They have such a distinctive call, and watching one dive into the water to catch a fish is quite a sight!” says Pauline Medori.

Don’t forget to add a card to your bird month gift. We found the best bird cards.

Above from Birds and Blooms about the Birth of Month Birds

Micronesian Kingfisher by Dan

“Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
(Mark 1:17 NKJV)

We’ve enjoyed writing about and watching these unique Kingfishers. They have a squatty look to me because of their short neck with that long beak. Luckily, we are able to see them nearby quite often. So, there are quite a few articles here on the blog. Here are some of them.

Check out some of these:

Ian’s Bird of the Week – Collared Kingfisher

Kingfisher Chick Receiving Its First Fish ~ Re-blog

Pied Kingfisher – Concentrated Diver

Kingfisher Chick Receiving Its First Fish ~ Re-blog

The King’s Fisher by William Wise

Lee’s Six Word Saturday – 5/6/17

Lee’s One Word Monday – 4/17/17

Lee’s Four Word Thursday – 2/9/17

Lee’s Six Word Saturday – 11/5/16

Kingfisher Photos

Kingfisher Videos

April’s Bird of the Month – Canary

Yellow-fronted Canary (Crithagra mozambica) ©Wiki

According to Birds and Bloom magazine site, there are Birds of the Month.

“You’ve probably heard of birth month gemstones and birth month flowers, but have you heard of birth month birds? It might come as a surprise to learn every month of the year has not only a representative jewel and flower, but also a bird. From owls to ravens, here are the birds that represent everyone’s birthdays.”

White-bellied Canary (Crithagra dorsostriata) ©WikiC

More from Birds and Bloom:

April: Canary

Perhaps it’s fitting that the bird for the month of Peeps candy is the canary. Some canaries live in the wild, but others, such as the domestic canary, are kept as pets. They’re not all yellow, either; some are red, while others are yellow and black. As part of the finch family, they are cheerful birds with a delightful song. To find them in the wild, you’d need to go to the Canary, Madeira or Azores Islands.

Like canaries? Discover more small yellow birds you should know.

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/birding/birth-month-birds/

Forest Canary (Crithagra scotops) ©WikiC

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! (Psalms 8:3-9 KJV)

Black-throated Canary (Crithagra atrogularis) ©WikiC

Other birds that come from the Canary islands that aren’t Canaries but are yellow. They are all very cute and adorable, in my opinion.

Canary Island Chiffchaff

Southern Grosbeak-Canary (Crithagra buchanani) ©WikiC

Canary Islands Stonechat (Saxicola dacotiae) ©WikiC

Canary Islands Stonechat (Saxicola dacotiae) ©WikiC

Previous Articles that mention Canarys:

The Rescue of the Canary Bird

SAFETY MONITORING by Canaries, Crayfish, and Brook Trout

Finches at Feeder This Morning

Canaries are part of the Finch Family

Sunday Inspiration – Finches III

Sunday Inspiration – Thraupidae – Flowerpiercers, Sierra Finches, Plus

Gideon

Bird of the Month Introduction and January’s Bird

Pearl-spotted Owlet (Glaucidium perlatum) ©WikiC

Did you know that there is a bird assigned to each month like they do stones? I was not aware of these for birds. September, which is my birthday month has a Saphire. I’ll reveal September’s when we get to that post.

According to Birds and Bloom magazine site, there are Birds of the Month.

“You’ve probably heard of birth month gemstones and birth month flowers, but have you heard of birth month birds? It might come as a surprise to learn every month of the year has not only a representative jewel and flower, but also a bird. From owls to ravens, here are the birds that represent everyone’s birthdays.”

Great Horned Owl Youngsters at Circle B Bar Reserve by Lee

“January: Owl

Wise and formidable, owls preside over the woods at night. They’re commonly seen as a symbol of smarts, with great horned owls showing up on many a graduation card. Identify these January birth month birds by their large eyes, rounded heads and hooked beak. Listen for their hooting when the skies grow dark.”

They didn’t say which kind, so here are some of the articles we have done about Owls:

Tickle Me Tuesday – Owls With A Message

Owls in Flight: Being Quiet on Purpose

Sunday Inspiration – Owls

The Silence of the Owls – Creation Moments

Stay tuned for the February’s Bird of the Month

In the meantime, check out the Birds of the Bible – Owl articles:

 

 

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks Are Back For The Winter

Our Black-bellied Whistling Ducks have shown up again this winter just like previous years. I’ve written about them many times, but I am always glad when they return each winter. I searched through some previous post about them and found this one from 2011. I especially like the verse quoted, “”I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalms 32:8 KJV)” That verse means a lot as I am learning to adjust to my current situation. See Time To Find and Watch Birds Again. I trust you enjoy this older post again.

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks feeding 6/11 by Lee

Birdwatching and Blessings – 6/11/21

This morning our Whistling Duck pair came looking for food, as is becoming their routine. Dan was planning to mow the grass today, so the food dishes were empty and stacked on the patio. So, I put one close by and gave them some food.

Church Signs:

God likes it when you smile, but he loves it when He is the reason!

The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you.

Truths To Consider:

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks looking to see if they should go that way.  6/11

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” (Psalms 32:8 KJV)

Black-bellied Whistling Ducks maybe asking or deciding which way to go.  6/11

“And they said unto him, Ask counsel, we pray thee, of God, that we may know whether our way which we go shall be prosperous.” (Judges 18:5 KJV)

Decisions! Decisions! Always best when the Lord is involved in seeking answers.

Good News

Lee’s Four Word Thursday – Vulture’s Eye

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King Vulture Brevard Zoo 120913 by Lee

WHICH THE VULTURE’S EYE

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“There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:” (Job 28:7 KJV)

King Vulture at the Brevard Zoo by Lee

(This is a repost of 8/25/16)

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More Daily Devotionals

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Who Paints The Leaves?

Sunday Inspiration – Australian Robin and Friends

This is a repost of the Sunday Inspiration – Australian Robin and Friends post back in 2019

The song by Dr. Richard Gregory, “Hiding in the Shadow of the Rock”. I am reposting it for an encouragement and comfort to all those suffering today from the devastating damage from Hurricane Helene. There are many all through Florida, Geogia, North and South Carolina, plus a few other states.  They could use our many prayers.

Cape Rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus) ©WikiC

Cape Rockjumper (Chaetops frenatus) ©WikiC

“The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation! (2 Samuel 22:47 NKJV)

This week’s birds from their Creator include the Petroicidae – Australasian Robins, Picathartidae – RockfowlChaetopidae – Rockjumpers and the Eupetidae – Rail-babbler Families.

The Robins are all endemic to Australasia: New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand and numerous Pacific Islands as far east as Samoa. For want of an accurate common name, the family is often called the Australasian robins. There are 46 members presently. They are not related to our American Robin.

Flame Robin by Ian

Flame Robin by Ian

Most species have a compact build with a large, rounded head, a short, straight bill, and rounded wingtips. They occupy a wide range of wooded habitats, from subalpine to tropical rainforest, and mangrove swamps to semi-arid scrubland. All are primarily insectivorous, although a few supplement their diet with seeds. Hunting is mostly by perch and pounce, a favoured tactic being to cling sideways onto a treetrunk and scan the ground below without moving.

They have long-term pair-bonds and small family groups. Most members practice cooperative breeding, with all family members helping defend a territory and feed nestlings. Nests are cup-shaped, usually constructed by the female, and often placed in a vertical fork of a tree or shrub. Many species are expert at adding moss, bark or lichen to the outside of the nest as camouflage, making it very difficult to spot, even when it is in a seemingly prominent location.

White-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus) cc Ross@Texas

White-necked Rockfowl (Picathartes gymnocephalus) cc Ross@Texas

The White-necked and Grey-necked Rockfowls are the only members of the Picatharitidae family. They are also called “bald crows’ and are found in the rain-forests of tropical west and central Africa. They have unfeathered heads, and feed on insects and invertebrates picked from damp rocky areas. Both species are totally non-migratory, being dependent on a specialised rocky jungle habitat.

They are large (33–38 centimetres (13–15 in) long) passerines with crow-like black bills, long neck, tail and legs. They weigh between 200–250 grams (7.1–8.8 oz). The strong feet and grey legs are adapted to terrestrial movement, and the family progresses through the forest with long bounds on the ground. The wings are long but are seldom used for long flights. Rockfowl are generalized feeders, taking a wide range of invertebrate prey.

Drakensberg Rockjumper (Chaetops aurantius) by ©WikiC

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He. (Deuteronomy 32:4 NKJV)

The Rockjumpers are medium-sized insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the genus Chaetops, which constitutes the entire family Chaetopidae. The two species, the Cape Rockjumper,, and the Drakensberg Rockjumper, are endemic residents of southern Africa. The Cape Rockjumper is a resident of the West Cape and SW East Cape, and the Orange-breasted (or Drakensberg) Rockjumper is distributed in the Lesotho highlands and areas surrounding this in South Africa. These are birds with mostly brown and red plumage. Both with long, white tipped black tails, black throats, broad white submoustachial lines, rufous or orange bellies and rumps and grey and black patterned backs and wings.[The iris is red and the bills and legs are black. Their wings are very small and they do not fly very often. They spend most of their lives running and jumping among rocks and grasses while hunting insects.

Rail-babbler (Eupetes macrocerus) by Peter Ericsson

Rail-babbler (Eupetes macrocerus) by Peter Ericsson

The Rail-babbler or Malaysian Rail-babbler (Eupetes macrocerus) is a strange, rail-like, brown and pied inhabitant of the floor of primary forest in the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra (the nominate subspecies macrocerus), as well as Borneo (ssp. borneensis), distantly related to African crow-like birds. Its population has greatly decreased, however, it is locally still common in logged forest or on hill-forest on slopes. The species is poorly known and rarely seen, in no small part due to its shyness.

(Most information from Wikipedia)

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“Hiding in the Shadow of the Rock” ~ © Dr. Richard Gregory (Used with permission)

Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. (Isaiah 32:2 ESV)

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Lee’s Three Word Wednesday – And They Laughed

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Happy Owl From Email

AND THEY LAUGHED

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And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.” (Luke 8:53)

Happy Owl From Email

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Lee’s Three Word Wednesday – 3/16/16 – Repost

More Daily Devotionals

Birdwatching Thru the Bible – Introduction

Birdwatching Thru the Bible – Introduction

Mixed Flock Flyiing 122717 Merritt Is NWR by Lee

When this blog began in 2008 its purpose was to introduce the Birds of the Bible. Now, it’s time to look at these verses and birds again. New birdwatchers and Christians may wonder about God’s avian wonders mentioned in scripture. Or we may like to review. I personally have seen and learned more about birds since back then and am still amazed by their behavior and beauty.

So, come along as we look at the Birdwatching Thru the Bible now. This new series will have us looking at the Birds of the Bible again, but from a little different perspective.

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“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

On day one of creation, God created light and darkness which were called Day and Night (Gen 1:5)

On day two the heavens were created and the firmament in the midst of the waters divided. (Gen 1:7)

On day three the waters were gathered together and the dry land appeared. Then the grass, herbs that has seeds, fruit trees were created. (Gen 1:8-13)

On day four the stars, moon, etc. were added for signs, seasons, day and night with the sun and moon. (Gen 1:14-19)

Then on day five:

 (20)  Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”  (21)  So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.  (22)  And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”  (23)  So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.” (Genesis 1:20-23 NKJV)

Mixed Flock of birds flying in a V Formation- Put together- ©Creative Commons

Mixed Flock of birds flying in a V Formation- Put together- ©Creative Commons

WOW! What a Creator!! Did you notice how God had everything planned out? Each day provided more to make the earth livable for the creatures, and then us on the sixth day.

A few Birds of the Bible post about the beginning:

Lee’s Six Word Saturday – Mount Up With Wings Like Eagles

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Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Flying by Aesthetic Photos

Mount Up With Wings Like Eagles

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“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Flying by Aesthetic Photos

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Sandra’s New Kooky Challenge

(This is a repost of Lee’s Six-Word Saturday – 1/30/16)

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New Material:

Golden Eagle – swooping -down (NETNS-Wildlife Zone)

Crow on Eagles Back ©©