There are about 44 varieties of hornbills living in the jungles of several southern countries. If you saw one in the jungle, you would be amazed at this colorful, strange bird. It is the size of a goose with a large yellow or red saw-toothed, curved bill. On top of this bill is a reddish bony armor piece which looks like a helmet. Each variety of hornbill has its own special headpiece lying flat over the beak, looking something like a banana. One species, the rhino hornbill, has a cap pointing forward like the horn on a rhinoceros.
These unusual beaks and helmets result in the death of many hornbills, since the natives kill them to get these bony pieces. The natives carve many kinds of knickknacks from them, including handles for knives and daggers, buckles and even small idols and tourist souvenirs. We cannot say that the hornbills are proud of their attractive beaks, but we are reminded that the Bible says: “Woe to the crown of pride...whose glorious beauty is a fading flower... the Lord of hosts (shall) be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty.” Isaiah 28:1,51Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! (Isaiah 28:1)
5In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, (Isaiah 28:5). Pride and the beauty of everything on earth will fade and pass away, but the Lord and His Word will endure forever.
The hornbills have black and white feathers on their backs and orange feathers on their breasts, throats and heads. To support their heavy bodies they have strong legs with tough, claw-like toes on their feet with which they grip the branches of trees.
These birds have loud calls that carry long distances through the jungles. The calls sound like a combination of a racing car, a woman’s scream, and idiotic laughter. Their wings also produce loud booms as the birds fly slowly through the trees. Orangutans and other apes are attracted by these noises and will swing through the trees, following the birds. They seem to know that the hornbills like wild fruits and berries to eat, and they do too. Hornbills and apes both love wild figs, too.
Strange as the hornbill may seem to us, it is part of God’s creation, and He carefully watches over every one of them. We are told, “All things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (continue to exist).” Colossians 1:16,1716For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16‑17). Each man, woman, boy and girl is part of His creation too, but, sad to say, all have sinned (disobeyed God), and God cannot accept us in our sins. Each must first turn to the Lord and thank Him for dying on the cross to wash away those sins. Then we are told, “Therefore if any man be in Christ (saved by faith in Him), he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17). Have you asked Him to wash away your sins?
(In the next issue we will look more into the peculiar ways of the hornbill.)
ML-02/06/1983