"Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?" (Job 39:26).
There are many species of hawks, most of them quite pretty in a variety of colors. An outstanding one is called the red-tailed hawk because its tail is made up of beautiful red feathers, each with a black base and a pure white tip. The rest of its body is pretty too, either a tannish-brown, a bluish-gray or soft white. It is the best-known hawk in the United States and Canada, found in areas from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It is also found in Central Alaska and down in Central America as well.
Because this hawk is found in so many places it has been given a variety of names, including red hawk, chicken hawk (unjustly), squealing hawk, buzzard hawk and white-breasted hawk, but the more official name is red-tailed. It measures about two feet long from its beak to the tip of its tail. When full grown and with wings outstretched, it measures about four feet across.
It usually nests in open areas near trees where mice, rats, squirrels and moles abound. A hawk will perch still as a statue on a tree limb or fence post until one of these animals is spotted. Then swiftly and silently it swoops down and captures it, killing it instantly. Its appetite also includes fish, rabbits, snakes, frogs, lizards and insects.
Besides hunting in wooded areas, these hawks often soar in the sky at great heights, often in pairs, making wide circles in the sky. Suddenly a pair of sharp eyes spots a prey far below. Then it dives silently at great speed and catches the prey in its sharp curved talons.
Pairs of these birds stay together for life. They often use the same nest year after year, which can measure two feet wide or more in the fork of a tree top. Two or three eggs are usually laid during March or April, and both parents share incubating them for about a month. The little ones learn to fly in a surprisingly short time and soon leave the parents, to be on their own.
An answer to the question asked in the opening Bible verse is given in Psa. 104:27, which says, "These wait all upon Thee [the Creator]; that Thou mayest give them their meat [food] in due season."
When we think of all the birds and other creatures dependent on God, their Creator, for their needs, we are also reminded of His wonderful care over us. The Lord Jesus tells us, "The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matt. 10:30-31).
Do you know the Creator as your Savior? Can you say what the Psalmist said, "I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings" (Psa. 77:11-12).