Listen! Do you hear that sound? “Rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat.” High on the trunk of a dead tree we finally see what is making the noise. A woodpecker is hammering its long, sharp beak against the trunk as if it were trying to beat its brains out. However, it knows what it’s doing, as we will soon see.
There are nearly two dozen kinds of woodpeckers in North America and about three hundred kinds throughout the rest of the world. The smallest is the downy, which is six inches long; the largest is the ivory-billed, which is eighteen inches long. All of them climb up and down tree trunks in their search 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, and they also have stiff tail feathers that press against the trunk to give added support.
Woodpeckers are considered by many to be the most baffling of all birds as they slam their beaks 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 unique bodies. He has given them a special job to do, which is helpful to trees and also to mankind—they drill holes in trees in search of wood-eating grubs and insects. For this job they have been given large heads, short, powerful necks, and strong, chisel-like beaks that continue growing to offset the “wear and tear.” Their heads are reinforced inside with bony supports, a lining and an air space, all to protect their brains. 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 six or more glossy white eggs that will be laid. These nesting holes are used only one season. The abandoned holes are usually taken over by other birds, squirrels or chipmunks.
It is certain that the Lord God, the Creator, takes real delight in these birds since 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) tells us, “Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” More importantly, it is through Him that you are here, as 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) says, “In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” Are you aware of that care, and have you thanked Him for His love and kindness to you?
ML-06/05/2011