A wonderfully bizarre bird
by Tom Hennigan
The drought had been rather severe that summer, and the normally moist woodland
was dry and parched. Suddenly, out of the brush, a chunky bird was frantically searching
the soil for earthworms. Following behind, and looking as famished as their mama,
were four of her wood-brown chicks. And as their mama stopped and probed the arid
ground before her, the chicks looked on with eager expectation. But all at once,
and without warning, mama bird performed an amazing feat! She lay her body flat
along the ground and began drumming the surface with her wings. Minutes later, their
hunger satisfied, this American Woodcock family disappeared into the dry undergrowth.
All birds reveal incredible design, but the American Woodcock has an interesting
design feature in its behaviour as well.
We have been led to believe by the scientific establishment that birds, like the
American Woodcock, are products of time and chance. That through natural processes
and eons of time, they are the descendants of a common ancestor that sprang from
the reptilian line.
On the other hand, the Word of the Creator states that birds were designed and created
by Him, according to their own kind, on the fifth day. As a result, He considered
them very good (Genesis
1:31).
Chance vs design. Aimlessness vs plan and purpose. These are two fiercely competitive
worldview's. They are mutually exclusive. And, contrary to popular opinion, the
essence of both can be described as the science of one person’s religion vs
the science of another’s. Why? Because no one was there at the beginning!
Scientifically speaking, the conditions of the early earth are unknown and hence
cannot be duplicated. On the other hand, God was there! He is perfectly capable
of communicating to His people.
When we look at His world, we find tremendous evidence of His fingerprints, so to
speak—design and purpose.
For instance, how did drumming the ground bring the woodcock family from famine
to feast? Amazingly enough, mama woodcock was aware of the habits of earthworms.
She knew that in dry conditions, they squirm to the lower, moist depths of the soil.
However, she was also aware of another quirk in their behaviour! When it rains,
worms can sense the ground vibrations caused by raindrops. When this happens, they
quickly propel themselves to the soil surface so they won’t drown. Therefore,
when the mother beat the ground, she and her family were able to leave the area
with their hunger pangs satisfied.
How did she know how to do that? What complicated series of events caused all of
this information to come together in one little bird? Was it by chance and natural
processes or was it creation with deliberate purpose?
Not only did it know the habits of the earthworms, this bird’s anatomy is
highly complex as well. The eyes are located high on its head enabling it to see
360 degrees. Imagine being able to see, with overlapping vision allowing depth perception,
both in front of and behind you. The ears are situated between the eyes and its
eight-centimetre (three-inch) bill. This highly sophisticated hearing apparatus
is better able to detect the sub-soil movement of its prey. Working together with
its exquisitely attuned vision and hearing, are its sensitive feet. Designed to
feel ground vibration, they help to pinpoint a worm’s location.
Being fairly certain that the worm is within reach, the bird pushes its bill into
the ground. But this isn’t just any old bill! The flexible tip, which allows
it to open and close in a tweezer fashion within tiny spaces, has highly sensitive
nerve endings. It allows the woodcock to know that it has grasped its meal.
A nocturnal animal, the woodcock is probably best known for its bizarre courtship
behaviour. At dusk, the male of the species will circle high in the sky on a spring
night making a continual ‘twittering’ noise. At this highest point,
he’ll suddenly dive in a zig-zag fashion toward the earth. It’s a most
unusual display, completely captivating his mate-to-be. The three outer primary
feathers not only make the strange sounds of this courting male, but also contribute
greatly to his survival. When the woodcock is in danger of being discovered by a
predator, it will explode from its concealment. In so doing, those feathers make
such an unexpected and horrible noise, that often the predator is temporarily shocked.
This brief moment is all the time the bird needs to make its escape!1
When it is realized how many of these complicated factors must come together, at
the same time, just for the bird to survive, that all this could come from gradual,
piecemeal evolution defies credibility.
The outdoors is chock full of unique and fascinating organisms, like the American
Woodcock, just waiting to be discovered by both children and adults alike. All of
creation, though now fallen from its original perfection, holds a wonder and fascination
that finds its meaning in the Creator God who put it there! Evidence of His handiwork
can be seen and understood. And evidence can be logically discussed in scientific
circles, so be bold, be confident and be in awe of His creative abilities!
The world today needs more people who will proclaim the news in every land that
Jesus Christ, the awesome Creator, came to us, lived amongst us, died and rose again
for us! ‘Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid,
neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest’
(Joshua 1:9).
Note
- Creatures today have many design features which help them cope in a fallen world,
‘red in tooth and claw’. Was the woodcock eating worms in a pre-Fall
world? That depends on whether worms are regarded as having a nephesh life-principle.
For a discussion of this whole fascinating issue, see
The Answers Book.
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