There are more than 200 species of antbirds 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.
A pair will build a nest that is either suspended from a branch or supported on a stump or mound on the ground. Usually two eggs are laid. Both parents share incubation and feeding the young birds.
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 large, 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, and small frogs.
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 Saviour is given an even better promise, as the Bible tells us in Philippians 4:1919But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19): “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
(to be continued)
ML-10/19/2014