Snowy Sheathbill Birds (August 10)

Who cleans up the seal and penguin colonies? The snowy sheathbill bird. This white bird looks like a cross between a pigeon and domesticated hen and is widespread across the Antarctica region. It hangs out in the seal and penguin colonies during breeding season. What we think is disgusting, they think is delicious.

Sheathbills eat dead seals, penguins and their droppings. These birds are the clean-up crew, making the colony a healthier place. By removing dead animals, these birds limit the spread of diseases. God’s attention to every detail of life is apparent in His creative details for making healthy seal and penguin colonies at the far ends of the Earth.

Jeremiah 12:9

KJV: Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.

NIV: Has not my inheritance become to me like a speckled bird of prey that other birds of prey surround and attack? Go and gather all the wild beasts; bring them to devour.

Reference

“Snowy sheathbill”. Arkive. Retrieved 2016

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Snowy sheathbill