Waterville 

Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You have poor people with you always. But you won’t always have me.” ~John 12:7-8 Not only is a group of crows called a murder, crows appear to have the ability to investigate murders. When a crow is killed, it is common to see other crows gather. While easy to sentimentalize the birds, imagining them grieving, it is just as likely that rather than a funeral, it is a crime scene investigation. Crows a

The older son replied, ‘Look! For years now I’ve done every single thing you asked me to do. I never disobeyed even one of your orders, yet you never gave me so much as a kid goat to celebrate with my friends. But then this son of yours comes home after going through your money with prostitutes, and you kill the fatted calf for him!’ “ ‘But my child!’ the father said. ‘You’re with me always, and everything I have is yours. But we have to celebrate and rejoice! This brother of

In reply, the vine dresser said, ‘Please leave it one more year while I hoe around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine; if not, then let it be cut down.’ ~ Luke 13:9 Living in the wild means that birds are exposed to, well, other wild things. This often includes tiny parasites that can become a significant nuisance. Perhaps the most problematic parasites are those that inhibit proper feather development and health. By definition, birds are feathered, they a

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I wanted to gather your children together as a mother bird collects her babies under her wings—yet you refuse me!~ Luke 13:34 Most all birds protect their young by keeping them literally under their wing. We typically picture altricial birds when we think of nestlings. These are the species that are naked and blind when they hatch. They simply cannot survive without the protecti

Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time. ~ Luke 4:13 In many bird species, molt pattern is a primary way to determine the age of a bird. Only hatch year birds have all fresh feathers. After that, birds replace their feathers in predictable patterns. It takes a lot of energy to grow a feather, so typically they replace a few with each molt once or twice a