Changes On The Way – UPDATED 2-13-18

October 3, 2014 by Lee

Orange-breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) Ian

UPDATE 2/13/18

I AM GOING TO RE-OPEN THIS SITE BACK UP

STAY TUNED AS I REPOPULATE SOME OF THE PREVIOUS ARTICLES AND ADD NEW ONES

Explanations will come in time.

UPDATE 10/3/14

(All Articles now RELOCATED to Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures)

(RELOCATED)

Just as the Snow Buntings changes their look as they molt throughout the year, changes come to other things. The decision has been made to move these articles over to my main blog, Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus.

Why? Several reasons.

Time and energy used in duplicating articles, can be used to write better articles for both younger and older readers on one combined blog. Some changes in WordPress cause me to reload (duplicate) all the photos onto this blog for the Sunday’s Inspirations.

I have recently been made aware of the fact that duplicating articles causes Google, Bing and other search engines to consider them spam and/or place them at the bottom of the searches. Our desire is for searchers to be able to find the information and articles about what they are looking for. Our purpose is to Glorify Our Lord and show forth His great creation through His Birds and other Critters. If we can’t be found, see the problem?

Of minor consideration, I just turned 71 the first of this month and need more naps. :))

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) by J Fenton

After consulting with several of the followers of Birds of the Bible for Kids, they feel the change might cause some to not switch over, but that the change will be minimal. Also, a home school mother thought that her kids and others, would not only get the benefit of a Kid’s Section, but also have access to the other articles also.

Yes, you can “teach an old dog new tricks.” Since switching the Theme lately to Sunspot, I have been learning some CSS and HTML to help improve especially the Kid’s Section. Now articles in that section are using a different font and color for their titles. Plus I am still learning.

Stay Tuned!

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) ©USFWS

My request would be for you to please check out Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus if you’ve never been over there. Sign up over there to receive an e-mail for new articles like you do here.

Especially check out the Kid Section‘s. It is still being updated and modified. The dust is flying over there. Comments or suggestions would also be appreciated.

Aren’t we thankful that when the Lord set out to create this world, He never had to make changes, nor does He change..

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6 KJV)

(As I move the articles and pages to Lee’s Birdwatching, the articles and pages here will be linked over there.

For example, today I am moving the Bible Birds. They will be activated as they are transferred.)

UPDATE 10/3/14

(All Articles now RELOCATED to Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus)

(RELOCATED)

Birdwatching Terms – About’s Bird Bill Parts

September 23, 2014 by Lee

Bird Bill Parts From About

A bird’s bill, also called a beak, is a critical piece of its anatomy, not only for foraging, defense, singing and other behaviors, but also for birders to make a proper identification. Depending on the bird, a bill can provide clues to far more than species: age, gender, diet and foraging behaviors can all be learned by studying a bill. By knowing the basic parts of a bill and the bird’s face and head immediately adjacent to the bill, birders can be better prepared to look for the subtle clues bills can reveal about every bird.

What an amazing part of the bird from its Creator.

Overall Bill Features

Some of the most important aspects of a bird’s bill are not specific features, but the general jizz of the bill. When first studying bird bills, look for…

Size: How large does the bill appear in proportion to the bird’s head? Check for length as compared to the length of the head as well as the width of the bill and how that width may change along the bill’s length.
Shape: Bill shapes vary widely, from delicate triangles or thin, needle-like bills to thick, bulbous bills to sharply curved bills to radical shapes that include spoon-like tips or horny casques. When the shape is very unique, that can be a diagnostic clue for a bird’s identity even if other field marks cannot be seen.
Color: The color of a bill can be a clue for species, gender or age. Note the overall color as well as any specific markings, such as a colored tip or base, subterminal band or color differences between the top and bottom of the bill.

Specific Bill Parts

When birders can get a good look at a bill, there are a number of different parts that can yield clues about the bird’s identity, such as…

Lores: While not part of the bill itself, the lores are the space between the base of a bird’s bill and the forward edge of its eyes. This area may be a different color or show a smudge or eye line that can be an identification clue.
Nares: More commonly called the nostrils, the position of the nares as well as their size and shape are important to note for bird’s identities. In some types of birds, such as raptors, the nares are covered by a fleshy cere, while in others, such as many seabirds, elongated tube-like nares help filter seawater.
Maxilla: Also called the upper mandible, the maxilla is the top half of a bird’s bill. Size, length and shape will vary, and some birds have knobs, fleshy wattles or other features that distinguish the maxilla.
Culmen: Difficult to see on many bird species, the culmen is the center line drawn down the length of a bird’s maxilla. In some species, this can be a very distinct peak that divides the sides of the bill, while it may not be noticeable in other species.
Tip: The tip of a bird’s bill may be different shapes, such as blunt or sharply pointed, depending on the bird’s general diet. Hooks are common at the tip of carnivorous birds’ bills, while many waterfowl have small bumps, called nails, on the tip of the maxilla.
Mandible: The lower half of a bird’s bill is called the mandible or lower mandible. The color may vary from the maxilla either along the entire length or just at one end, and can be a great clue for identification. Some birds, such as many gulls, may show spots or other markings just on the mandible.
Chin: Not directly part of the bill, the chin is the area of feathers immediately adjacent to the base of a bird’s mandible. In some species, the color of the chin may vary from the throat or face, providing a valuable identification clue.
Gape: This is a fleshy area at the base of the bill where the upper and lower mandibles meet. In young birds, it is often enlarged or may seem so because the birds have not developed their mature feathers to help conceal it, and it may be brightly colored so their mouths are more noticeable when they beg for food. On some species, such as the bananaquit, the gape remains colorful on adult birds.

Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola) by Raymond Barlow

It can be difficult to see many of the subtle details of a bird’s bill, but understanding the different bill parts is a great way for birders to refine their identification skills and learn more about every bird they see.

Photo – Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (Above) © Dan Pancamo
Photo – House Finch (Below) © nigel

This is a good introduction to the bird’s bill. Look for more articles on the individual parts of the beak.

From About Birding/Wild Birds – Bird Identification

More Birdwatching Terms

Birdwatching Tips

Why Use The Birds of the World?

September 19, 2014 by Lee

Green-billed Toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) ©WikiC

The list of all the Birds of the World are updated about every four months. Which we try to keep up with their (I.O.C.) newest lists.

You are probably wondering why you would need it. Let me share some things about it and then give you some ideas how it my be handy for one of your school projects.

The I.O.C. is actually the International Ornithological Committee. “Ornithological” basically means those who study birds or bird related. They maintain a list of all the birds around the world. They set standards of how to name them, what scientific classification to place the birds in, and divide them into Orders and Families, etc.

They are needed because we may call a bird by one name, yet someone in a different country or area may call it by a different name. They realize that those two names belong to the same bird. It is a very hard task to keep track of all those 10,000 plus birds, but that is what they try to do.

They give every bird an English name as a standard. Then they also want every one to spell the words the same. For instance, some people spell the “Grey” or “Gray” to mean the same color. To keep things simple, all the birds are spelled as “Grey.” That is just one example.

There are committees all over the world working on the birds of the area they live in, then those committees get together to combine all the list to make one big list. That is what was just updated.

On our Birds of the World section, you will find the birds listed by Orders (40 main classifications), then by Families (240 groups of closely related birds). The reason all of that is not duplicated here would be very time-consuming. There are hundreds of pages and thousands of photos on that site.

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) by Dan

Projects for school or your own information:

You know the name of a bird’s name, but need to find the Species name, Go to the Species Index to find these choices:

First Name of Bird
Last Name of Bird

If you know that it called Madagascan something, go to the First Name of Bird index and choose the “M” page

If you know it is a Duck, go to the Last Name of Bird index and choose the “D – Last Name” page.

The Families have four indexes to help you find the Families of birds.

When you find your bird in the right family, almost every bird has a link to a photo or video.

I will share more tips on how to use those indexes in another article.

Another reason is because we believe the Lord created all the beautiful birds and He should get all the credit.

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

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. (Genesis 1:21 NKJV)

ABC’s of the Gospel

September 17, 2014 by Lee

ABC’s of the Gospel

The ABC’s of the Gospel:

All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 6:23)
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8; John 1:29)
Call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13; Isaiah 1:18)

Lead in the sinner’s prayer.

Dear God, I know I’m a sinner…
I ask you to forgive my sins right now…
I believe that Jesus died to save me…
I receive Him now as my Savior…
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen

(Adopted from Pastor Jerry Smith’s – Dealing With Children)

Use A Simple Plan – Above

Obtain permission from parents for baptism if they accept the Lord.

More Good News

Child’s Book of Water Birds – Re-visited

September 15, 2014 by Lee

The Child’s Book of Water Birds

Revisited

An anonymous writer wrote the Child’s Book of Water Birds in 1855. You can see how Project Gutenberg published it as an e-book. (Public Domain) CLICK HERE

Below are the links to my “Re-visited” versions here. Moved these over from the Birds of the Bible for Kids blog and can be found in the Kid’s Section under Watching Birds.

The six different birds were written to a very young reader. I trust you will enjoy reading them for yourself or to your children or grand-children. They can be used to introduce you/them to birds.

Here are my versions of the Six Birds:

The Swan

The Coot

The Dabchick

The Teal

The Goose

The Oystercatcher

The Bible tells us that we are to

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6 KJV)

Introducing children to the amazing birds the Lord has created is a tiny step to help with that training. Introducing them to the Lord Jesus Christ, is the major step.

Wordless Birds

Keep A Journal

September 13, 2014 by Lee

Keep A Journal

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) at Lake Morton by Dan

Wood Duck at Lake Morton by Dan

Keep A Journal

Bible Birds Finally Moved

September 12, 2014 by Lee

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) by Ray

And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. (Psalms 90:17 KJV)

Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening. (Psalms 104:23 KJV)

Been working most of the day, moving the Bible Birds pages to Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures. It has been a challenge, but with dust still flying, they are now here.

I posted an article on the Birds of the Bible For Kids blog explaining the move of those articles. You might want to read that article because it affects this blog.

Changes On The Way

Wrinkled Hornbill (Aceros corrugatus) Brevard Zoo by Lee

You can find the Bible Birds listed in the Kid’s Section. The side menu is now working also for that section. (I think it’s correct). Just hover your mouse over the Kid’s Section and you will see the Bible Birds, along with the Watching Birds, Bird Tales and Scripture Alphabet of Animals sections.

Thanks you for being patient while things are being moved around and I trust you will see much improvement soon. As mentioned in the Changes on the Way article, “Our purpose is to Glorify Our Lord and show forth His great creation through His Birds and other Critters.”

There is still lots of work ahead, as other sections are moved to the blog. Just wanted to let you know why things are changing and dust is flying still. I have another big challenge coming next, but that will have to hold for now.

Changes On The Way

September 12, 2014 by Lee

Snow Bunting in their differnt changes of molt.
©Crossley ID Guide

UPDATE 10/3/14

(All Articles now RELOCATED to Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures)

(RELOCATED)

Why? Several reasons.

Of minor consideration, I just turned 71 the first of this month and need more naps. :))

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) by J Fenton

Stay Tuned!

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis) ©USFWS

My request would be for you to please check out Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus if you’ve never been over there. Sign up over there to receive an e-mail for new articles like you do here.

Especially check out the Kid Section‘s. It is still being updated and modified. The dust is flying over there. Comments or suggestions would also be appreciated.

Aren’t we thankful that when the Lord set out to create this world, He never had to make changes, nor does He change..

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. (Malachi 3:6 KJV)

(As I move the articles and pages to Lee’s Birdwatching, the articles and pages here will be linked over there.

For example, today I am moving the Bible Birds. They will be activated as they are transferred.)

UPDATE 10/3/14

(All Articles now RELOCATED to Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures Plus)

(RELOCATED)

Old Mr. Owl Writes A Book

September 9, 2014 by Lee

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) by Bob-Nan

OLD MR. OWL WRITES A BOOK

Old Mr. Owl Danced with the Rest

“Old Mr. Owl wanted to write a book and he asked the fairies how to set about doing it,” commenced daddy.

“‘Well,’ said the fairy queen, ‘it makes a good deal of difference, old Mr. Owl, what you want to write about.’

“‘What nonsense!’ he said. ‘It’s just that I want to know how to start off with my book. Just think what a marvelous book it will be—as for as long as folks can remember I’ve been called the Wise Bird—the bird who’s awake at night and whose eyes are so very bright!’

“‘Before I started saying what a fine book it would be, if I were you, I’d write it and give other people the chance to say so,’ said the fairy queen.

“Mr. Owl began to write with his pen, made out of one of Mr. Turkey Gobbler’s best feathers, on a large, flat stone, which he put in the hollow of his tree. Very late in the night, he awakened the fairies who had been sleeping, and told them to listen to his book. Then he called all the owls from the neighborhood with a loud hoot-hoot. But before he began to read, he said:

“‘I’ve not enough light. I will hurt my eyes—my beautiful, wise, big eyes.’

“You see he had made a special arrangement to have his own lights, and when he said that he hadn’t enough, from all over came countless little fireflies. They sparkled and gave the most beautiful light all over the woods, and Mr. Owl put his spectacles on his nose, and said:

“‘Now I see to perfection—which means quite all right.’ And Mr. Owl commenced reading his book.

“It told about the parties, balls, and picnics in fairyland, and of the wild adventures and happenings in the woods. The fairies were absolutely delighted that a book had been written with so much about them in it.

“And the fairy queen was more than happy, for the last chapter was all about her.

“‘Well,’ said Mr. Owl, ‘you made me ashamed of myself for boasting about my book before I had written it, and so the only thing I could do was to write a wise chapter all about you.’

“And the fairy queen smiled with pleasure and also with amusement—for Mr. Owl had certainly thought he could write a wise book—though the next time, perhaps, he wouldn’t say so before he had written it.

“The fireflies had been sparkling and flashing lights all this time, and finally they whispered:

“‘Have a dance, all of you; we’ll give you the light and dance too. It is not well to read books all the time—you must dance.’

“So they all ended off with a fine dance, and old Mr. Owl, with his book under his wing, danced with the rest of the owls and fairies. But before the evening was over he presented to the fairy queen a copy of his book, which said on the cover, ‘A BOOK, by Wise Mr. Owl.'”

Barred Owl by Ray

Lee’s Addition:

But I say to every one of you, through the grace given to me, not to have an over-high opinion of himself, but to have wise thoughts, as God has given to every one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3 BBE)

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. (James 4:6 KJV)

Figured it was about time the first chapter was added to the Daddy’s Bedtime Bird Stories. We do need to be careful not to think too highly of ourselves. Let other complement what you do.

Another Bird Tale From

Daddy’s Bedtime Bird Stories – Gutenberg ebooks

Mary Graham Bonner

With four illustrations in color by
Florence Choate and Elizabeth Curtis

These stories first appeared in the American Press Association Service and the Western Newspaper Union.

Many of the sketches in this volume are the work of Rebecca McCann, creator of the “Cheerful Cherub,” etc.

: Daddy’s Bedtime Bird Stories by Mary Graham Bonner – 1917

Links:

Bird Tales

Daddy’s Bedtime Bird Stories

Wordless Birds

Owls

Time to Review the Scripture Alphabet of Animals

September 9, 2014 by Lee

Baudet Donkey – Shaky and Brown

Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. (1 Chronicles 16:24-25 KJV)

While I have been digging around fixing things, Harriet Newell Cook’s – Scripture Alphabet of Animals caught my eye. If you haven’t checked it out, or forgot about it, now is the time to review the Animals.

From the article, “Harriet Newell Cook was born in 1814 and died in 1843. In her short 29 years of life she wrote several juvenile books and thought I would share parts of them here.” Don’t let the word “juvenile” keep you from reading them. I enjoyed putting them together four years ago.

Check out:

Harriet Newell Cook – Scripture Alphabet of Animals

Something to Review – Scripture Alphabet of Animals

September 9, 2014 by Lee

Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) by Nikhil

Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (Psalms 105:5 KJV)

(Relocated)

Bible Birds – Cuckoo Introduction

September 5, 2014 by Lee

Guira Cuckoo (Guira guira) at NA by Dan at National Aviary

UPDATE 2/13/18

I AM GOING TO RE-OPEN THIS SITE BACK UP

STAY TUNED AS I REPOPULATE SOME OF THE PREVIOUS ARTICLES AND ADD NEW ONES

UPDATE 10/3/14

(RELOCATED)

Stay Tuned!

UPDATE 10/3/14

(RELOCATED)

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Overall Bill Features

Specific Bill Parts

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The ABC’s of the Gospel:

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The Child’s Book of Water Birds

Revisited

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Keep A Journal

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Changes On The Way

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UPDATE 10/3/14

(RELOCATED)

Stay Tuned!

UPDATE 10/3/14

(RELOCATED)

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OLD MR. OWL WRITES A BOOK

Daddy’s Bedtime Bird Stories – Gutenberg ebooks

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Bible Birds – Cuckoo’s Introduction

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