Photo and Commentary ©2023 by Robert Howson
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
The Great-crested Flycatcher is one of those species that is more frequently seen than heard, for it resides high in the treetops, and only ventures out to catch flying insects that might pass by. Found throughout much of the eastern portion of the country, this largest flycatcher in that part of the world is easy to identify. That is not true of all the other 425 members of the New World flycatchers, some of which can only be identified in the field if their song is heard.
One of the more unusual aspects of the life history of this species is that it is the only Eastern flycatcher to nest in cavities. But even more out of the ordinary is its practice of including portions of snake skin as part of its nest lining. No one really seems to know why they do this; maybe it serves as a deterrent to predators, or serves some unknown function, or perhaps they just like the way it feels. But possibly the most unusual practice is its willingness to substitute cellophane or plastic wrappers in place of reptilian skin.
We may have to push the analogy at this point but we probably all recognize Satan’s willingness to modify his approach to catch us in our weakest points. The modern equivalent to the fruit in the garden takes many forms. Jesus warned against this in Matthew 7:15 where He says: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (English Standard Version) Of course this trickery isn’t limited to prophets and sheep but can be found in almost any aspect of our lives. Whether it’s the snake in the grass or the slipperiness of cellophane, we always need to be on the alert for that which would deceive us.