Biblical Birds

Much of Israel's native wildlife is mentioned in the bible, which takes place primarily in and around the land of Israel. Below is a sample of biblical birds:
Grey heron	"And these you shall not eat are: the *nesher* (Griffon vulture), and the *peres(lammergeier) and the 'ozniyah* (lappet faced vulture). And the ra-ah(??) *ayah* (honey buzzard)and the *dayah(kite) species. And all of the 'orev* (raven/crow) species. And the *bat haya'anah(ostrich) and the tahmas(??) and the shahaf* (seagull) and the *netz(hawk) species. And the kos* (little owl) and the *yanshuf* (long-eared owl) and the *tinshemet* (barn owl). And the *ka-at(a kind of desert bird?) and the rahama* (Egyptian vulture) and the *shlakh* (osprey). And the *hasida* (stork) and the *anafa* (heron) species and the *dukhifat* (hoopoe) and the bat."(Deuteronomy 14:12-19)
"The buds have appeared in the land, the time of the *zamir* (nightingale) has arrived and the voice *tor* (turtle dove) is heard in our land"(Song of Songs 2:12)
"And he sent forth the'orev (raven) and it went to and fro until the water had dried up from the land" (Genesis 8:7)
Ostrich	"The beast of the field shall honour Me, jackals and *bnot ya'anah(ostriches), because I have given water in the desert and rivers in the wilderness so that My chosen people may drink" (Isaiah, 43:20) "...And the bnot ya'anah(ostriches) shall dwell there and it shall never more be inhabited...(Jeremiah, 50:39) "And wild desert birds will brood there and their houses will be filled with ohim* (eagle owls) and *bnot ya'anah* (ostriches) will dwell there and se'irim (Scops owls) will dance there."(Isaiah 13:21) "Therefore I will wail and howl...I will wail like the jackals and mourn like the *bnot ya'anah(ostriches*)" (Micah, 1:8)
Griffon vulture	"I will carry you on the wings of *nesharim* (Griffon vultures)"(Exodus, 19:4) "For thus said the Lord behold he shall soar like a *nesher* (Griffon vulture) and spread his wings over Moab" (Jeremiah, 48:40) "Our pursuers were swifter than *nesharim* (Griffon vultures); they chased us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness"(Lamentations 4:19)
White storks	"The *hasida* (stork) in the sky knows its appointed times and the *tor* (turtle dove) and the *siys* (swift)and the *'agur* (crane) observe the time of their coming..." (Jeremiah 8:7)	Cranes
"Where the birds make their nests, the *hasida* (stork) makes its home in in cypress trees"(Psalms 104:17)
...And behold two women came out and the wind was in their wings like the wings of a *hasida* (stork)...(Zechariah 5:9)
"I resembled a desert *ka-at* (a type of desert bird) I was like a *kos* (little owl) among the ruins" (Psalms 102:7)
Dove	"My *yonah* (dove) in the rock clefts, in the secret crevices, reveal yourself to me and let me hear your voice, for your voice is pleasant and your appearance comely" (Song of Songs 2:14) "And he sent forth the *yonah* (dove) from him to see whether the water had receded from the ground. But the *yonah(dove*) did not find a place to land and returned to him, to the Ark.... "(Genesis 8:8-9)

Griffon vulture at Gamla

Return to home