The energy needed by birds demands a plentiful supply of food, and usually much time is spent finding it. Some, like the kingfisher, dive into the water for theirs. Others, such as robins, search in the ground for worms and insects. Swallows are an example of those capturing their meals in the air. Some others use an easier way.
For instance, the small and graceful, white-plumed cattle egrets ride on the backs of wild and tame animals. As these animals browse through grassy areas, they disturb insects which are caught by these hitchhikers. Even crows will ride on pigs while they are routing in the ground for tasty things, swooping down and catching the grubs and worms that are turned up. The well-known cowbirds ride on the backs of grazing cattle and enjoy the free food stirred up by the cow’s hooves.
The oxpecker, with its red bill and orange and black feathers, is another interesting bird. It frequently perches on the neck of an impala to remove ticks from the impala’s ears. At other times it is seen on top of or clinging like a woodpecker to the sides of rhinos, water buffalo, hippos, etc., eating parasites out of their loose folds of skin. Certain starlings, as well as the tickbird, also ride on the backs of these big animals.
Other unusual birds include the phaleropes in the Arctic and the carmine bee-eater of South Africa. Both gray and red phaleropes like to perch on the exposed fin of a killer whale and feast on parasites. The bee-eater, which has beautiful red and green feathers, rides atop another bird—the big kori bustard. As the bustard walks through meadows, it stirs up food for itself as well as its little passenger.
In the British Isles the pied wagtail perches on the head of a fallow deer and catches the pesky flies that bother the animal’s eyes and sometimes cause blindness. Often this bird’s young ones also ride on the deer’s back while the mother is busy up front collecting flies to bring back to them.
All these birds (and many others like them) help their hosts by catching the annoying ticks, flies, gnats and other parasites that bother them. They are very welcome as riders, and if the animals could talk they would, no doubt, thank them for the relief and comfort their service provides.
It has been the joy of the Creator to give these birds and animals a companionship in which each benefits the other. It is another example of how “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalms 145:99The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. (Psalm 145:9).
But, as wonderful as God’s care is over all living things, His care and love for you is much greater. That love has provided His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. On Calvary’s cross He was punished for the sins of all who, admitting they are sinners, would accept Him as their Saviour. Then God delights to call these His own sons or daughters. Have you accepted and thanked Him for that love?
ML-06/10/1984