In birdwatching, Christian ‘ornitheoligists’ see God’s hand

It is early morning in the Great Smoky Mountains. Kevin Burrell is half asleep and wrapped tightly in his sleeping bag. Before surrendering his warm cocoon to the chilly morning air, he hears the call of a hermit thrush just above his tent, coaxing him to stay in bed for just a few seconds longer. The flutelike tune stops but is promptly followed by the quick chirps of a northern cardinal and the cheerful song of a tufted titmouse.

Burrell, with the skill of an avid birdwatcher, realized these sounds were coming from the same spot above his tent and that, while the calls sounded like they came from many birds, they were really just from one: a northern mockingbird. While some campers might have pulled their sleeping bags higher over their heads, trying to drown out the bird noises so early in the morning, Burrell listened closely and sought a deeper, Christian meaning in the small bird’s mimicry.

For him, the mockingbird is the picture of Christian discipleship, which entails learning about and imitating Jesus. The bird is also a lifelong learner, which is what Burrell said he is called to be as a follower of Christ.

Not every Christian may find deeper meaning in God’s avian creations. A select number of birds appear in the Bible — including hawks, sparrows and swallows — but for many, the relationship between birds and Christianity does not stray farther than seeing a dove carrying an olive branch on a banner at church. However, for Christian birdwatchers, this link is alive. When they hear a songbird, it reminds them of singing during church service, and watching chickadees splash around in a birdbath is its own kind of prayer.

On his blog, ornitheology.com, Burrell, a pastor at StoneBridge Church Community in Charlotte, North Carolina, recounts past birdwatching trips through biological detail and biblical devotion.

The made-up word, ornitheology, is not Burrell’s, however. It was coined by theologian and birder John Stott in his book

“The Birds, Our Teachers,” and refers to the unique blend of scientific study and religious appreciation of birds.

“I think that everybody who takes seriously the fact that God is a creative God should pay attention to some creative aspects of what he’s made,” said Burrell. “And I choose birds.”

Over the years, birdwatching has taken him on trips around the world and in his own backyard. Now 52 years old, Burrell has become most attentive to the birds that are local to his area. He said that as a pastor, he is always looking for metaphors, which he finds plenty of in the bird world.

His post on the northern mockingbird explains the link between the mockingbird and discipleship. He also likens the unrelenting song of the small Carolina wren of his home state to singing in the Christian faith. The bird’s persistence reminds him of what he is called to as a believer — singing, praying and worshipping. His most recent post, about an encounter with homing pigeons, details the importance of home and the place on earth where God has put you.

“There’s so much illustrative material in the bird world that teaches us about worship, creativity, development and care,” said Burrell.

These lessons can also be found in the Bible. Debbie Blue, a founding pastor at House of Mercy in

St. Paul, Minnesota, writes about the significance of different birds of the Bible in her book “Consider the Birds: A Provocative Guide to Birds of the Bible.”

“God hovers over the face of the water in Genesis — the ancient rabbis suggest — like a bird,” writes Blue. “Birds gorge on the flesh of the defeated ‘beast’ in Revelation. They are a currency of mercy — the birds of sacrifice. They bring bread to the prophets. They are food for the wanderers.”

Blue, whose fascina