And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up MY JEWELS.”
Malachi 3:17
To my dear grandchildren
The Strange Hoatzin
“These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their food in due season.” Psalm 104:27
The hoatzin is a rather large bird, about two feet long and weighing about two pounds. It is one of the most colourful birds in the world. It is a native of South America. It is found along the banks of the Amazon and other rivers. Its main food is leaves and the fruit of plants growing in the marshes, as well as occasional small fish, crabs or frogs. It is not a good flyer and spends most of its time on the ground or in low brush, except when nesting.
An impressive crest composed of a dozen or so thin black and yellow feathers stands up in a fan shape on the top of its head, which is deep blue. Its neck, brown on the back and over its wings, is marked with white stripes. The front is solid white between its strong sharp beak and its breast, where deep orange takes over down to its gray legs. Long tail feathers on the young are gray with light yellow tips, but on adults they are dark brown with a wide yellow band at the tips. Hoatzins are unusual looking but very colourful birds.
The mother hoatzin lays as many as five eggs in loosely woven nests which are built as high as 20 feet above the ground alongside a river or stream. The young hatch out in about a month, and during the first two years of life they often stay with their mother to help take care of the new hatchlings. If they are not available, other friendly hoatzins become helpers.
Young hoatzins are born with claws on their wings which they use to climb on tree branches until they learn to fly. When they get older, the claws fall off.
If an unprotected young one in this high nest is threatened and no helper is near, it will dive head first into the water below, swimming under the surface for quite a distance. Then, when the danger is gone, it will slowly work its way back through the brush. When it reaches its own tree, it will climb to its nest.
Do you think the Creator knows about these hoatzins, so hidden in the jungles? He certainly does, and as the above Bible verse says, He provides for all their needs. But His love for you and me is much greater. He says, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).
He invites you to know Him as your Saviour, to enjoy His love while still on earth, and then share it more fully in the wonder of heaven for all eternity. Will you accept His loving-kindness and thank Him for it today? “Today if ye will hear His voice harden not your heart" (Psalm 95:7-8)
Love you all - Grandpa
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