Last week we learned about vireo birds in general. Now let’s consider a few varieties that make their summer homes in North America.
Least bell’s vireo: What a cute little bird this is, nesting in the willows and cottonwood trees near Santa Barbara, California. Its little, dark-feathered head is accented with large eyes and a little beak. Its gray top feathers, white underparts and large, dark eyes make it a charming little bird with a pretty song.
Red-eyed vireo: This one has a blue cap on its head, contrasting with red eyes that have a white line with a black border above them. It’s difficult to spot this olive-green vireo as it sends its melody through the bushes.
Solitary vireo: Like the red-eyed, this one lives in the eastern United States. It has a light-purple head, white chest and underparts, and big, dark eyes inside a yellow circle. Its back is tan-yellow with two white stripes stretching across its brown wings.
White-eyed vireo: One variety lives in Florida and another in Texas. They are among the smallest of the vireos and are quite pretty. The tops of their heads are bluish, fading out to blend with totally white lower-body feathers. Brown wings with white cross stripes match short tail feathers, but eyes with dark pupils centered in soft yellow (rather than white) help to identify them.
The greenlet, the black-capped, the yellow-throated, the warbling vireo and some others are all residents of the western or central United States.
Vireos are all examples of the wonders of God’s creation and His delight in placing them on the earth. He is always watching over them, even though they are such small creatures and there are so many. We know He really does watch over them, for a Bible verse tells us, “In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing” (Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)).
Jesus, talking with His disciples, said to them, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father [knowing it].” Then He added, “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29,3129Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (Matthew 10:29)
31Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:31)).
At another time He said to them (and to us too), “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap . . . and God [feeds] them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” (Luke 12:2424Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? (Luke 12:24)). Yes, His loving eye is always on you, and He invites you to know Him as your Saviour. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden [burdened with sins], and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)).
If you have not yet accepted His loving invitation, will you accept it today?
ML-07/29/2007