Birds are everywhere. It’s impossible to go a day without sighting a winged friend. They swoop, soar, perch, preen, flutter, and flitter all around us. While some animals only live in certain geographical areas — you won’t find elephants naturally residing in North America or antelopes in Asia — birds live everywhere, whether you are in Boston or Bangalore.
These avian creatures are also everywhere in the pages of the Bible. The raven gets a lot of attention, being the first bird specifically referenced. The raven’s failure to return means good news for Noah and his family: the flood waters are receding. It is the raven who feeds Elijah, and even Jesus encourages us to “consider the raven” (Luke 12:24).
The biblical writers also tell us about pigeons, turtledoves, hawks, eagles, and sparrows. The descent of the Holy Spirit was said to be like a dove. Jesus has hen-like instincts to gather people into the comfort of his kingdom (Luke 13:34). A bird is even involved in a great moment of shame when the rooster crows to certify Peter’s betrayal (Matthew 26:34).
I am not a bird watcher. I don’t even qualify as a bird enthusiast. But then I read about Christian leaders like John Stott, whose passion for birds led him to write a book on the subject. He had particular birds that he planned his calendar and travels around with the hope of finally seeing with his own eyes. The snowy owl was at the top of Stott’s list.
I wish that I appreciated birds more, especially since Jesus encouraged me to do so. But I’m deeply appreciative for pastors like Kevin Burrell and his curiosity. Burrell — a PCA pastor in Charlotte, North Carolina — thinks more about birds in a single day than most of us will do in a decade. His observation of birds has given him insights and perspectives on the Christian life, and he blogs regularly about his love of “ornitheology.”
Now, he invites you to look at the birds with him in his new book, “Considering Sparrows,” (Penguin Random House, 2026).
Birds of a Feather
Genesis tells us God created the birds, and Adam named them. There are approximately 15,000 species of birds, and devoted bird watchers keep a list of ones they’ve personally observed in their lifetimes. It becomes a life-defining hobby. Enthusiasts plan their vacations to specific destinations in hopes of adding a new species to their list.
Burrell has learned a lot about birds. More importantly, he has learned a lot from birds. Because of their variety and complexity, there is always more to learn, and this volume introduces novices like me to some of the peculiarities of different birds.
I knew nothing about honeyguides before reading Burrell’s description of them. This family of birds is known for its ability to lead humans to beehives, where the humans then gather honey. These birds live in sub-Saharan Africa, and their human counterparts have special calls or whistles to get their attention. Once summoned, the honeyguides take flight to show the way to the nearest bee colony. They are permitted to share in the sweet spoils as payment for their services.
As Burrell reminds us, God promised to lead his people to a land flowing with honey. You have to trust him for guidance to reach the promised land. We cannot get there without him. Yet, he calls us to follow him, to get up from where we are and put one foot in front of the other. Throughout the book, Burrell blends his observations about birds with insights for Christian living.
Each chapter in “Considering Sparrows” begins with a profile of a particular bird and its peculiar behaviors. You learn about the ways birds are born, live, and die. Burrell even covers romance and relationships. The details are fascinating. Every pastor reading this book will discover how many sermon illustrations are flying around them every day!
Maturing Like Mockingbirds
This volume is a passage-by-passage reflection on Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, accompanied by observations and insights from the world of ornithology. After introducing readers to a particular bird, Burrell spends the remainder of each chapter reflecting on an aspect of the Christian life from the book of Philippians.
For example, Burrell does a deep dive into mockingbirds, known for their ability to imitate other sounds, such as a frog or a car alarm. After helping readers understand why these birds have this exceptional ability, Burrell points out, “The mockingbird is always listening for tunes to commit to memory. While the majority of birds seem content to carefully recite the same song imprinted as a chick, or even learned while still in the egg, the mockingbird has a growth mindset” (160).
Burrell uses the mockingbird to illustrate Paul’s point in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
The mockingbird provides reminders about how we grow as Christians.
“Paul wants his readers to seek out the best things to imitate. Listen for the admirable and praiseworthy. Learn to speak the language of what’s pure, right, and lovely. Commit to memory the words that are true and noble, working them into your thoughts, words, and actions. If you’re marked by this pursuit, the mockingbird is an apt metaphor for you – a perpetual learner and a mascot of good-to-great growth” (160).
Part of the genius of this book is that it is a two-for-one deal. You learn a lot about birds and the book of Philippians, all in one volume. I’ll never be mistaken as a bird enthusiast, but if you went through Scripture and highlighted every reference to a bird, your Bible would become surprisingly colorful:
- “Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon” (Genesis 15:9).
- “They go by like skiffs of reed, like an eagle swooping on the prey” (Job 9:26).
- “Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31).
According to those who track these things, there are over 300 references to birds from Genesis to Revelation.
“Considering Sparrows” is a delightful mix of observation and exposition. It will make you look at the world around you differently, taking note of our winged friends with new curiosity. It will also help you look at Scripture differently, seeing how God appeals to various aspects of creation as he teaches us how to live as his new creation. Thanks to Burrell for this creative approach to help Christians become wise as an owl.
Andy Jones serves as the editor of byFaith and is a teaching elder in Tennessee Valley Presbytery.