There are more than 200 species of ant birds in different parts of the world, but they are particularly numerous in Central and South America's tropical forests. They are small birds, most about the size of a sparrow, having no particular melody but making 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. Strong thick bills, some of them hooked, have been given them by the Creator, helping them capture and quickly eat their prey. Another provision from their Maker 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 whenever possible they use ants to discover and expose food for themselves. Only the big vicious army ants perform this unwilling service as they work their way over the ground in great numbers like columns of soldiers, hunting for bugs, worms, crickets, spiders, lizards, small frogs, etc.
As the ants move over the ground and expose these tidbits, the antbirds come right up to the edge of their 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 big ants that can expose the hidden food and do not waste time following any of the many other smaller varieties found in those tropical areas, except when food is scarce. Then 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 tasty morsels, or 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 ability to find their food day by day?
Every person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior is given an even better promise, as the Bible tells us in Phil. 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19), "But 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 and providing care.
The Scheming Antbird
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 are rather drab looking with plain black and white or brown coloring. However, there are exceptions. For instance, the male of one species called bicolored has dark feathers on its wings and over its back, but is pure white underneath, making a sharp and pleasant 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.
Yet 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 ornaments blow back against its body, making it look like a flying arrow, but when still, they stand out and are pretty.
Antbirds make cup-shaped nests composed of leaves or fibers in forks of trees or the branches of shrubs. But they're not committed to any particular spots; some prefer nesting in a hollow tree, while others just make their nests right on the ground. Whatever the choice may be, the male and female work together on the nest, as well as in all their activities, and stay together for life. It surely is nice to see this faithfulness to each other.
Immediately after nest building, two or three eggs are laid. Once again, the parents share in incubating and watching over them—the male taking his turn in the daytime and the female at night. In about two weeks the little ones hatch out 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, different from many birds, it is not unusual for some of the young to resist these necessary lessons, and the parents are patient with them, sometimes continuing to feed them for many weeks before they will venture away on their own.
In the above opening Bible verse, the Lord Jesus contrasted the birds—all of which have nests of one kind or another—with Himself when He was on earth and did not even have a home of His own. Another verse (2 Cor. 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)) tells us "though He was rich [in heaven], yet for your sakes He became poor [on earth], that ye through His poverty might be rich." The riches He desires to give every one of us are those of everlasting life in heaven, through knowing Him as our Savior. Do you have these wonderful riches?