In many countries one of the most commonly known birds is the stork. There are about seventeen varieties, and all of them are from thirty to sixty inches in length with long necks, broad wings and short tails. Their nests are usually huge; some are as wide as six feet. They add to the same nest year after year. Some nests weigh as much as a thousand pounds, breaking tree limbs and platforms that people have built for them on a roof, chimney or wall.
The Creator has given the African and Asian storks instincts to migrate north to Europe (as far as six thousand miles) to spend the summers and to return to their southern homes when cold weather comes. Many people in Europe enjoy having the storks in summer. They pamper them with special food, saving the storks the trouble of finding their own. Over the years the storks have become so used to the constant food supply and rely so much on it that many don’t leave on their southward migrations, disregarding this God-given instinct. The result has been that when freezing weather comes, it is too late to fly south, and more and more die of the cold each winter.
While people think they are being kind by feeding these birds, they are really interfering with the storks’ normal way of life and are the cause of many dying. It makes us think of the Bible verse that says, “My son, fear thou the Lord . . . and meddle not with them that are given to change: for their calamity [trouble] shall rise suddenly” (Proverbs 24:21-2221My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: 22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? (Proverbs 24:21‑22)). It does not pay to interfere with God’s purposes.
Storks are a spectacular sight with their long legs, wide wings and long, pointed beaks. They are strong fliers and make quite a picture in the air with their necks extended and legs outstretched, soaring like eagles on their broad wings. Let’s look at a few of the species:
OPENBILL STORKS: Back feathers of these are jet black, their other feathers are a rather dull pink, and their beaks a brownish color. They live almost entirely on large, round snails found underwater. They are named “openbill” because the Creator has given them special beaks to handle these snails.
MARABOU: These make their home in eastern Africa. They are not only the largest but also the least attractive of all storks. An unusual feature is their pouches hanging down from their throats to their legs. These pouches look like big red sausages when they fill them with air. Like vultures, they eat mostly dead animals or birds. In some areas they rob flamingo nests, eating both the eggs and the young, a habit that is distressing to many people.
(to be continued)
ML-07/16/2006