Consider the Birds

Jesus wants us to be birdwatchers.

CRINGE! Really?? As if the image of cardigans (actually now redeemed by the hipsters, come to think of it) and socks and sandals (will that be next?!) wasn’t enough. But Jesus is pretty clear: “Look at the birds of the air” (Matthew 6:26). Or again, “Consider the ravens” (Luke 12:24) / “two sparrows” (Matthew 10:28).

Surely I’m ignoring the context. Jesus doesn’t actually want us intentionally to look at birds, right?! Well... wrong, I think!

It’s not that we have to make it a hobby. Or invest in crazy expensive cameras and go hiding in camouflage in the woods. But as Jesus was teaching he often picked up on everyday goings-on to illustrate important points about the good news of his kingdom. And 1st Century Palestine wasn’t the only place that has birds around - unless we live in Outer Mongolia and only see the very occasional eagle, we probably see some of the birds of the air that God created pretty frequently. And it can’t be a bad idea to actually do what Jesus says and “consider” the things he tells us to consider - like how our Father in heaven takes care of the birds, and how if we’re of much greater value to him (which Jesus says we are), then what confidence we can have that he’ll take care of us (Luke 12:24). Or how a couple of sparrows are worth next to nothing, “yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (Matthew 10:29) - so we don’t need to be afraid. Our Father cares for us infinitely more than the birds.

Anyway, I’m not particularly going to expand on Jesus’ teaching in this area right now. I just thought I’d say that to preface a few nice photos of birds! Because here in the Gambia the birdlife really is quite something. I’m honestly not an ornithologist, but I was once here with a rather keen birder on a short-term trip and, I must admit, his enthusiasm did rub off on me just a little. Whereas before I just hadn’t particularly taken notice of all the life whizzing around in the air and on the branches over my head, I began to notice just how varied and colourful and harmonious and beautiful it is! So I’m definitely an admirer, let’s put it that way.

Tourists actually come to the Gambia from all over the world simply to look at birds. It’s a bit of a hot-spot for migrating birds, apparently due to its location. The River Gambia is the first significant area of water and greenery that huge numbers of migrating birds from north to south spot after they cross the vast Sahara Desert just north of us. So, I’m told, lots of these birds swoop down to enjoy some vegetation before carrying on their epic journeys. Then - don’t ask me why - there are lots of other colourful and interesting birds the rest of the time anyway.

Not having endless hours to go bird-watching, and not having any kit beyond a basic pair of bino’s, it’s hard to get decent photos. Normally I see things as I glance up from my desk when I hear an unfamiliar birdsong, or as I’m just walking from A to B. And then they usually fly off before you can photograph it. So a few of the pictures below are my own, but I’m largely indebted to others’ shots from the internet. I promise I've seen them all!

Here are some of God’s works of art that I’ve seen in the last few months...

YELLOW-CROWNED GONOLEK: Males and females perform an intriguing duet as they call to each other. ©Wikimedia

RED-BILLED FIREFINCH: This tiny beauty is often with her friends hopping around on the ground. She can lose her bearings though and end up in the chicken pen or inside the house! 

PIED KINGFISHER: There are lots of spots to watch these pros at work fishing.

HAMMERKOP: Dutch for Hammer-Head? Must be the shark's distant relative... ©Wikimedia

PURPLE GLOSSY STARLING: stunning metallic colours. ©Freestock images

HOODED VULTURE: Not the most elegant... But they do an important job - God's bin men.  They're everywhere (this is my compound wall), and are often reminiscent of that great Jungle Book scene - "So what d'you wanna do?"

GOLIATH HERON: I couldn't believe how big he was when he took off! ©Freestock images

(WESTERN) RED-BILLED HORNBILL: Remember Zazu from the Lion King...?

BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD: Enough said. Often appears in the garden.

SPLENDID SUNBIRD: My favourite of them all. Sure is splendid! Would you dare dress like that?!

“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.  He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them - he remains faithful for ever.” (Psalm 146:5-6)