"I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine" (Psa. 50:11).
Unless you spend some time in swampy areas, chances are you will never see one of the lovely bitterns that make their home in such places. There are many varieties of them throughout the world, and two of them are residents of the northern United States and southern Canada.
Let's look at one named the least bittern. It is not called "least" because there are few of them, but rather because of its size compared to other bitterns. It is only about a foot long when measured from its toes to the tip of its long beak when it is stretched straight up in the air. Its body is only about the size of a quail or robin, but its legs, neck and beak are much longer.
The Creator has provided this pretty bird with colors suited to hide it in its marshy home of cattails, tall reeds, long grass and low bushes. Its feathers, except for head-top and tail, are orangy-red. Similar coloring on its throat and breast is lightly striped in black tones. This combination makes the bittern almost impossible to spot when it stands perfectly still, head held straight up, in the midst of the swamp foliage when something has startled it. If wind moves the reeds, the bittern sways the same way. Adding to its excellent camouflage, the striped coloring of its long neck and chest look like the reedy plants in which it stands.
The reason bitterns like such watery surroundings is the plentiful food found there-fish, eels and frogs. They also eat mice and other small animals, various insects and seeds. Unlike most birds, they do not like to flock together. Usually only one is seen by itself or occasionally a pair.
They are among the world's most cautious birds, preferring to stay in the surroundings that hide them so well. Only occasionally will they venture out on open water or into a close-by meadow for a meal of grasshoppers, other insects or seeds. They can run fast on open ground but fly slowly, keeping close to the tops of the reeds and brush.
Nests are built above water level and from three to six young are raised each year. The mother bird does all the incubating and feeding of her brood until they can care for themselves. How much nicer it would seem if the father bird helped a bit, wouldn't it?
As we look at even a few of the multitudes of bird varieties in the world it gives us happiness to realize the Creator, the One who is Lord of heaven and earth, has found delight in them all. But you are more important to Him than any bird, fish or animal-so important that He died on the cross for you. Is He important to you?