The many species of antbirds have been given a variety of names. Some are called antwren, antshrike, antvireo, ant-thrush, fire-eye, and many more, but all are closely related.
Most antbirds are rather drab looking with plain black and white or brown coloring, but there are exceptions. The male of one species called bicolored has dark feathers on its wings and over its back, but it is pure white underneath, making a sharp contrast. The female is usually light brown above and white below. Another, called the ocellated (which means “spotted”), has a variety of pretty color patches over its entire body.
Another outstanding one goes by the name white-fronted. This one has a silky, white-feathered crest over its head, matched by a white beard under its beak. When in the air, these white accessories blow back against its body and make it look like a flying arrow, but when still, they stand out prettily.
Antbirds make cup-shaped nests, composed of leaves or fibers, in forks of trees or in the branches of shrubs. However, some prefer nesting in a hollow tree while others just make their nests right on the ground. Regardless of the choice, the male and female work together on the nest, as well as in all their activities. They stay together for life. It surely is nice to see this faithfulness to each other.
After the nest is finished, two or three eggs are laid. Again, the parents share in incubating and watching over them; the male takes his turn in the daytime and the female takes hers at night. In about two weeks the little ones hatch and remain in the nest for about two more weeks. Then it is time for the parents to gently but firmly push them out so they will learn to fly and care for themselves. However, unlike many birds, it is not unusual for some of the young to resist these necessary lessons. But the parents are patient with them, sometimes continuing to feed them for many weeks before they venture away on their own.
In the opening Bible verse, the Lord Jesus contrasted the birds with Himself when He was on earth. He said that all birds have nests of one kind or another, but He did not even have a home of His own. Another verse tells us that “though He was rich [in heaven], yet for your sakes He became poor [on earth], that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)). The riches He wants to give every one of us are those of everlasting life in heaven and blessings in Christ, through knowing Him as our Saviour. Do you have these wonderful riches?
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