NATURAL HISTORY
Although Israel is a small country, ornithologists have recorded 530 species of birds in it to date. An estimated 500 million birds pass through Israel during spring and fall migration. Those that nest in Europe and Central or Western Asia, including Siberia and the Russian Arctic, fly each year to their wintering grounds in tropical Africa. Since the Mediterranean Sea would pose an obstacle to many, it forces their migration to follow several narrow straits and land bridges. Many species opt to fly down the Jordan Rift Valley and into the Sinai Peninsula while on their way to Africa.
In addition, Israel consists of many climate and habitat zones that range from snow-covered Mount Hermon to the desert of the Negev and from the temperate Mediterranean coast to the warmer Rift Valley. The varied ecosystems thus contribute to the large number of species found in Israel. The biblical patriarchs and Jesus would have likely seen many of the same species of birds that inhabit or pass through the land today.
Many types of birds dwell in Israel all year round. They include the large golden eagle and smaller species, such as the wren and Palestine sunbird. Some, like the graceful warbler and the eagle owl, even live in the same territory year-round. Others, such as the goldfinch and corn bunting, fly around the country in flocks during the non-breeding season.
Migrating birds arrive in the spring as early as mid-February to either nest and raise their young in Israel, or head to more northern areas to nest. The nesters arrive in March. As early as late June, lesser kestrels, collared pratincoles, and house martins begin migrating to their winter homes. Most winter in Africa, but the black-headed bunting winters instead in northwestern India. September sees most of the fall migration, with some such as hobbies and red-rumped swallows leaving in October.
Some birds choose to winter in Israel during December and January. They come from nesting grounds in Europe and central and northern Asia.
The Bible makes some 300 references to birds, often just to “bird” or “fowl.” That leaves us without a specific species. Because birds have wings and feathers, unlike any other creature, Bible writers were thinking of birds when they metaphorically use terms such as “wings,” “feathers,” “flying,” etc. Scripture often doesn’t speak of an individual species but instead will mention a general category such as “doves.” Dovesmay often refer to rock doves but could also include any of six other kinds of doves seen in Israel.
Doves seem to be a favorite bird in the Bible. Noah released a dove after the flood to see if the water had receded (Gen. 8:8). Psalm 68:13 indicates a dove’s rich colors. Solomon likened his lover to a gentle dove (Song. 2:14, etc.). In all four Gospels, the Spirit of God descends on Jesus after His baptism, using the imagery of a dove (or pigeon). Matthew 10:16 employs a dove to represent innocence. The dove also played a sacrificial role in the temple services. Those who could not afford a lamb could substitute turtledoves (possibly a small pigeon) as an offering (Lev. 12:6-8).
The “eagle” referred to large raptors who hunted during the daytime. Translators sometimes render the Hebrew word as “eagle,” and other times as “vulture.” Scripture notes eagles for their swiftness (Jer. 4:13), the power of their flight (Isa. 40:31), and the care they give their young (Exod. 19:4).
WhenIsrael complained about their food in the wilderness, God sent quail to feed them (Num. 11:31-33). He may have used natural means to accomplish this. During fall migration, great numbers of the birds fly across the eastern Mediterranean, making the flight in one night. Exhausted, they land in the Sinai Peninsula to gather strength to continue their journey.
Biblical authors employed a vast array of bird imagery to teach many spiritual lessons. Because birds fly above us in what is to us another world, they symbolized spiritual things throughout the ancient world. For example, Proverbs 26:2 tells us, “Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying, a curse that is causeless does not alight.” Jesus likens His love for Israel to a mother hen trying to protect her brood (Matt. 23:37).
Birds symbolize the ability to escape or flee from something. But Psalm 139:9 tells us that one cannot flee God even with the wings of the morning. David wished for wings like a dove so he could escape his trouble (Ps. 55:6). Birds also symbolize the care-free life one can have in God. He gives the birds their daily food (Luke 12:24; Job 38:41) and has used birds to feed humans (1 Kings 17:4-6). Nests can represent safety (Song. 2:14; Jer. 48:28). Wings suggest swiftness (2 Sam. 1:23), strength (Isa. 40:31), or the protective care of a parent, especially in relationship to God (Exod. 19:4; Deut. 32:11). God’s protection of His people is likened togathering them under His “wings” (Ps. 17:8; 36:7, etc.). He is also described as “the Sun of Righteousness … with healing in His wings” (Mal. 4:2).
Jesus used the sparrow to teach the lesson of the heavenly Father’s care for us (Matt. 10:29-31). It also represents God’s care for the smaller creatures of His kingdom (Ps. 84:3). A solitary sparrow reminds one of loneliness (Ps. 102:7). Some birds make a sound perceived as mournful (Micah 1:8—probably an owl; cf. Isa. 38:14).
Birds indicated the arrival and passing of the seasons, as their migrations moved them from place to place during the year. God told Israel that even the birds knew the seasons, but they did not know His judgment (Jer. 8:7). They were also daily timekeepers. The cock crowed at such a regular time that Jesus could refer to the sound as a time marker (Matt. 26:34; Mark 13:35). Chirping birds served as a wake-up call for some (Eccl. 12:4).
Birds of Israel: A Pocket Guide to Common Species. “Nature in Israel.”
Cohen, Vanunu, and Landsberger. Birding Site of Israel.
Paz, Birds in the Land of the Bible.