Bird of the Bible – Herons in Tampa Bay

Reddish, Snowys, Greats Egrets and Great Blue Heron (5-10-13) by Lee

And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Leviticus 11:19 KJV)

Herons are one of the species listed on the “Do not eat list” as we have written about before in the various Birds of the Bible – Heron articles. The first one was written back in 2008 when I first started the blog.

Since we were out birdwatching last week over in Tampa at the bay, I thought I would share some of those photos and update the Heron information some more. We saw a Great Blue Heron, several Little Blue Herons, and several others that are “after her kind” and in the same Ardeidae - Heron, Bitterns  family. There were Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets fishing along with the others. The Little Blue Herons were in breeding plumage which you could tell because of their exceptionally blue beaks. (Not real clear-I was zoomed from quite a distance)

Little Blue Heron and Snowy Egrets by Lee from distance

Herons are only mentioned twice in Scripture; Leviticus 11:19 and in Deuteronomy 14:18. That modern-day family, Ardiedae, currently has 72 members which includes not only Herons and Egrets, but also Bitterns. Some of them are grouped together like, Tiger Herons, Night Herons, Pond Herons, Reef Herons and Cattle Egrets. Not sure about the Tiger Herons but the night, pond, reef, and cattle name give you a clue as to where you might find them out and about.

And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. (Deuteronomy 14:18 KJV)

The herons are long-legged freshwater and coastal birds in the family Ardeidae, (some are called “egrets” or “bitterns” instead of “heron”). Within Ardeidae, all members of the genera Botaurus and Ixobrychus are referred to as “bitterns”, and — including the Zigzag Heron or Zigzag Bittern — are a monophyletic group within the Ardeidae. However, egrets are not a biologically distinct group from the herons, and tend to be named differently because they are mainly white and/or have decorative plumes. Although egrets have the same build as herons, they tend to be smaller.

Great Egret (Ardea alba) Swallowing by Lee

The classification of the individual heron/egret species is fraught with difficulty, and there is still no clear consensus about the correct placement of many species into either of the two major genera, Ardea and Egretta. Similarly, the relationship of the genera in the family is not completely resolved. However, one species formerly considered to constitute a separate monotypic family Cochlearidae, the Boat-billed Heron, is now regarded as a member of the Ardeidae.

Although herons resemble birds in some other families, such as the storks, ibises, spoonbills and cranes, they differ from these in flying with their necks retracted, not outstretched. They are also one of the bird groups that have powder down. Some members of this group nest colonially in trees, while others, notably the bitterns, use reedbeds.

The largest species of heron is the Goliath Heron, which stand up to 152 cm (60 in) tall. The necks are able to kink in an s-shape, due to the modified shape of the sixth vertebrae. The neck is able to retract and extend, and is retracted during flight, unlike most other long-necked birds. The neck is longer in the day herons than the night herons and bitterns. The legs are long and strong and in almost every species are unfeathered from the lower part of the tibia (the exception is the Zigzag Heron). In flight the legs and feet are held backward. The feet of herons have long thin toes, with three forward pointing ones and one going backward.

Reddish-Snowys-Greats Egrets – Snowy in front with yellow feet

The herons are a widespread family with a cosmopolitan distribution. They exist on all continents except Antarctica, and are present in most habitats except the coldest extremes of the Arctic, extremely high mountains and the driest deserts. Almost all species are associated with water, they are essentially non-swimming waterbirds that feed on the margins of lakes, rivers, swamps, ponds and the sea. They are predominately found in lowland areas, although some species live in alpine areas, and the majority of species occur in the tropics.

While the family exhibits a range of breeding strategies, overall the herons are monogamous and mostly colonial. Most day-herons and night-herons are colonial, or partly colonial depending on circumstances, whereas the bitterns and tiger-herons are mostly solitary nesters. Colonies may contain several species as well as other types of waterbird. In a study of Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets in India the majority of the colonies surveyed contained both species. (Wikipedia with editing)

See:

Birds of the Bible

Birds of the Bible – Heron - Page

Birds of the Bible – Herons – Article

Heron – Wikipedia

Ardeidae - Heron, Bitterns  family

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Mother Birds and Their Young – Bible Birds (Re-post)

Yesterday’s My Mom And Me – Email blog inspired me to write a new article for the Birds of the Bible For Kids. It is called:”

Bible Birds – Mother Birds and Their Young.

Please check it out. It is geared for a younger audience.

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An Email – My Mom And Me

(Received this as an email. – Not sure who to credit them to.)

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Here’s your AWE! for the day!!!

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Bring forth every living thing that is with you of all flesh–birds and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the ground–that they may breed abundantly on the land and be fruitful and multiply upon the earth. (Genesis 8:17 AMP)

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Missing Bird Photos Desired – “Birdographers” Wanted

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) by J Fenton

On Saturday, I concluded my search for the Birds of the World list of birds. Out of 10,615 (or 10,625) there are 74 birds who seem to have stayed hidden from the view of all the “Birdographers.” That is my name for those who are photographers, videographers, artists and stamp makers. All the major Ornithology and Birding websites are in need of them also.

I am thankful for every photo, drawing, video, specimen and sound recording of the birds that have links to them. They represent dedicated birdwatchers who have been on adventures that have taken them to places many of us would not go. Jungles, swamps, mountains, deserted islands, mudholes, etc have been traipsed so that these images could be recorded. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

When I started listing the Birds of the World several years back, I never envisioned ever seeing the images of as many as I have seen now. According to the IOC Version 3.3 list, I have seen over 10,500 species of the Lord’s fantastically created birds. That does not rate in any counting system used by birders, but it sure has been an unexpected enjoyment for me even though it represents hours of searching and updating the pages here. I have been exposed to birds that are so unique, beautiful, ugly, colorful, dull, loud, quite, etc. that I never knew even existed. Wow!

Do you see me?

Now for the plea. I made a page that list all the missing species, Missing Birds Needed. If anyone who has a photo, video, drawing, or whatever of those birds, or knows where a link can be found to them, please leave a comment or send me an email at:

Lee@Leesbird.com

Yes, there are sites out there that show photos for the listed birds, but they are of another bird in the family or genus. Here, and I am sure there are some mistakes, I would rather have a blank instead of misleading someone to think that is the real bird. Most leave the photo blank, but a few don’t. I fell for that a few times until I learned, now I am trying to find those misleading photos.

One of the biggest problems finding the birds is that the species have had name changes and several names at the same time. They also keep splitting the subspecies off into a new species. Toward the end of my searching, I felt like a detective trying to figure out a bird’s name and its past names just to be able to find it.

And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. (Ecclesiastes 12:12 NKJV)

Again, if you can help, check out the Missing Birds Needed page and see if you could supply an image or link to one. Let’s see if we can reduce that number down. I haven’t quit my search, just resting until the IOC updates their list next month and I get to start searching again.

Also, if you would like to become one of our photographers, leave a note.

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Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:8-10 KJV)

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Wordless Birds

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Bird of the Bible – Details

Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) by Dan

Currently, I am reading through Leviticus. When I cam to the Tabernacle, my first thoughts were, “Here we go again” with all the details about how to make it. The LORD gave Moses the details and then he shared those details with all the workers and skilled craftsmen as to how it was supposed to be prepared. It includes down to the number of rings to hold the curtains, like 50 on this side and 50 on that side, etc. The colors Gold, Blue, Purple and Scarlet are constantly mentioned.

Details, details, details. I stopped grumbling when I thought about how the LORD in His creative acts was so, “detailed.” Much of the Bible gives us details about God, the Lord, and the Holy Spirit.ITt is one of God’s attributes that He is so omnipotent, omniscient, understanding, etc. because He does know all the “details.”

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, (Romans 1:20 NKJV)

We are told to look around us to observe creation and we can see His attributes. Think of just the birds. Are they not each different and made with so much detail. So, here is my attempt to share with you some of the neatly “detailed” birds in a slideshow. My first thoughts were of the Mandarin Duck with its lines and marks. Looks like a paintbrush was used by the Hand of our Creator. I have been trying to think of a bird that is gold, blue, purple and scarlet, but so far, it alludes me. (The Mandarin Duck is close)

This slideshow is only featuring the colors and feather designs, but how about all the bills, feet, and other aspects of the birds? Enjoy these beautiful birds. (Thanks to all those who took the photos also.)

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To See SLIDESHOW Click

(I hardly got to the Passerines. Sorry)

See:

Birds of the Bible

Falling Plates

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Modern Day Noah – Email

Lesser Striped Swallow (Cecropis abyssinica) ©WikiC

Received this as an email and thought you might enjoy a smile or a groan. (I’m still working behind the scenes on the Birds of the World. (Swallows at the moment.)

A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13 NKJV)

Noah’s Ark ©©Flickr elmada

And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. (Genesis 6:13-14 KJV)

Subject: Modern Day Noah

In the year 2005, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said, “Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans.” He gave Noah the blueprints, saying, “You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights.”

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard, but no Ark. “Noah!” He roared, “I’m about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?”

“Forgive me, Lord,” begged Noah, “but things have changed. I needed a building permit. I’ve been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbors claim that I’ve violated the neighborhood zoning laws by building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark’s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood was another problem. There’s a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls – but no go! When I started gathering the animals, an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space. Then the EPA ruled that I couldn’t build the Ark until they’d conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I’m supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status of most of the people who want to work. The trades unions say I can’t use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience. To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.”
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you’re not going to destroy the world?”

“No,” said the Lord. “The government beat me to it.”

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Bird of the Bible – Coat of Many Colors II

Sunset Lorikeet (Trichoglossus forsteni) ©WikiC

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. (Genesis 37:3 KJV)

After I finished the Birds of the World – Kingfishers, Australasian Warblers, White-Eyes and Doves article last week, I decided to finish up the Psittacidae – Parrots Family. I still needed 150 photos or drawings to complete the 363 species needed. Well, last night, it was finished and at 100% for images.

Looking at all those Parrots and others in the family, they definitely have “Coats of Many Colors” also. Just wanted to share their beautifully created plumage also. Most of us are familiar with parrots and parakeets. Many have them as pets or have seen them in the wild. So you are sort of familiar with them, but I am sure as you view the slideshow, you will see many that you haven’t seen before.

I also want to share the only birds I had personally. My preference is that the birds roam free, or are being kept from extinction in zoos or other similar situation. There is nothing wrong with having a pet, but I am just stating my preference. We ended up with two Monk Parakeets when we lived in south Florida. They are wild down there (up here also), but one day the neighbor boys came to my door and told me about an injured Monk Parakeet. A teenager had shot it out of a tree and the smaller boys found it. They said, “You love birds and you will know what to do.” That began the adventure with my bird. I had never kept a bird in my life, but knew that my veterinarian was also a bird vet. Long story short, I ended up with a one-winged bird that could never go back to the wild. My “free bird” ended up costing over $200 for vet bills. (This was over 20 years ago). Dan wanted to call it “One-armed Bandit” because it cost me so much, but I took the “t” off of “Bandit” and it became “Bandi.” I think it was a “she” because she was so sweet.

Well a year later, my friend bought two Monks and told me there was one more, but it had a deformed leg. Another long story short, I bought “Hoppy” for $25 and ended up spending another $200 getting a broken leg repaired. It was an amazing surgery the vet performed. “Hoppy” had to be a male, because he could be mischievous at times, but he learned to talk and was quite enjoyable (most of the time). The picture shows “Hoppy” with the bandage in front and “Bandi” in the background.

Hoppy in front, Bandi in back – Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

The only two verses in Scripture, that I know of, that would apply to this would be:

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: (James 3:7 KJV)

As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. (Jeremiah 5:27 KJV)

Back to the Coats of Many Colors, click below to see a slideshow showing some of our beautiful and personable members of the Psittacidae – Parrots Family.

SlideShow

(PS – I pay for extra storage on the main site and that is why this is re-directed there)

See Also:

Psittacidae – Parrots Family

Birds of the Bible – Coat of Many Colors I

Birds of the Bible 

Birds of the World

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