There are more than 200 species of antbirds in different parts of the world, but many live in Central and South America’s tropical forests. They are small birds; most are about the size of a sparrow. Their songs have no particular melody and consist of whistles, chirps and trills that are pleasant to hear.
Their rounded wings are shorter than most birds their size, but this is not important as most of their time is spent on the ground or in perching. The Creator has given them strong, thick bills (some are hooked) to help them capture and quickly eat their prey. Another provision He gave them is their extra-strong legs, toes and claws - so suited to their manner of life. Most of their time is spent in small groups on the ground, vigorously scratching for food.
The name “antbird” does not mean they eat ants, but rather that they use ants to discover and expose food for themselves. Only the large, vicious army ants provide this unintentional service, as they work their way over the ground in great numbers like columns of soldiers, hunting for bugs, worms, crickets, spiders, lizards and small frogs.
As the ants move over the ground and expose these tidbits, the antbirds come right up to the edge of the ant columns and snatch some of the bugs and insects which the ants have overlooked or which they have not yet taken. Strangely, the ants do not bother the birds, even though they may be aware they are being robbed of some of their food and are quite capable of giving them painful bites.
The antbirds know it is only these large ants that can expose the hidden food and do not waste time following any of the many other smaller varieties. However, when food is scarce, they will eat the smaller ants to relieve their hunger.
If army ants are not active, the birds do their own scratching through the soil with their strong, clawed toes. At times some will climb tree trunks like woodpeckers, searching under loose bark for hidden bugs, or they will follow animals whose hooves turn up desirable food as they walk along.
Isn’t it remarkable how the Creator has given these birds such a variety of ways and abilities to find their food. Every person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour is given an even better promise, as the Bible tells us in Philippians 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19), “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” We should thank Him every day for His great love to us in supplying our needs.
(to be continued)
ML-01/16/2000