We hear the sound as we walk through the forest—rat-a-tat, rat-at, rat-a-tat. High on the trunk of a dead tree we finally see what is making the noise—a woodpecker clinging to the trunk with its head hammering against it as though trying to beat its brains out. But it knows what it is doing, as we will soon see.
There are nearly two dozen kinds of woodpeckers in North America and about 300 throughout the rest of the world. The smallest is the downey which is six inches long from beak to tail tip. The largest is the ivory-billed woodpecker which is a foot and a half long. All climb tree trunks and spend many hours on them searching for food. The Creator has equipped them for this by providing them with two strong toes pointing forward and two pointing backward, although some species have just one pointing backward. Their claws dig firmly into the tree. In addition, stiff tail feathers with sharp barbs on their tips press against the trunk giving added support.
The woodpecker is considered by many to be the most baffling of all birds, as it slams its head against tree trunks hundreds of times a minute several times a day. Any other bird or animal trying to do this would damage its head, neck and body so severely that it would not survive very long. But God designed woodpeckers with bodies that thrive on such treatment. You see, there has always been a special work for them to do which is helpful to trees and mankind as well. To do this work it has been given a large head, a short and powerful neck and a strong chisel-like beak which keeps growing to take care of “wear and tear.” Its head is reinforced inside with bony supports, a lining and an air space, all to protect the brain. How wisely God has made all His creatures!
One reason why these birds drill holes in trees is to make a nest. They first cut an entrance and then enlarge it inside to a foot or more deep and several inches across. Chips falling to the bottom of the hole provide a soft base for the half dozen or more glossy white eggs that will be laid. The male bird starts the carving, but usually leaves the finishing to his mate. These holes are used only one season—new ones being drilled each year. No doubt the abandoned ones are a delight to other birds, squirrels and chipmunks that usually take them over.
It is certain that the Lord God, the Creator, takes real delight in these birds, as it is written of Him: “For Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11). More importantly, it is through Him that you are here, as the Bible verse says, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” Acts 17:2828For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. (Acts 17:28). Are you aware of that care, and have you thanked Him for His love and kindness to you?
ML-02/05/1984