Winter is a great time to see large numbers of birds, particularly ones that come to your feeders, and ones that congregate in wetland areas. There are waterfowl that spend the colder months congregated on “warmer“, more southern bodies of water. One might see buffleheads, redheads, Northern shovelers, even great white pelicans on inland lakes and ponds. These flocks have found refuge in such locations, however unusual it seems. Occasionally one might see a single individual of a species alone. These individuals always seem to stick out like a sore thumb, or the fabled ugly duckling. They may have gotten separated from the rest of their group during migration somehow, or even possibly pushed out. But they find safety and strength In other numbers, joining a flock of mixed species. It’s interesting that birds, as well as many other animals, prefer company as opposed to being alone. Some species of birds tend to form larger flocks than others, however. Goldfinches and cedar waxwings fly about in small groupings, often just 10 to 20 individuals. Other species don’t seem to form flocks at all, for example you never see a big group of woodpeckers together. Now, some of those woodpeckers will scatter themselves amongst a mixed flock with chickadees and titmice and nuthatches, sharing food sources and habitats. Birds such as starlings, chimney swifts, crows, and blackbirds can be seen in greater number together, hundreds of them flying, swooping, and descending on fields and lawns. A maximum count of mallards on the Ohio River back in the 1950s numbered 430,000. It’s hard to imagine that many of anything except maybe insects, which are then called a swarm. Regardless, there seems to be an instinct of togetherness: finding safety and security in numbers.

The word "flock" itself is not used for many other groupings of animals besides birds and sheep. There are "herds" of cattle, horses, and pigs. There are "packs" of dogs and "colonies" of bees. A "flock" of something carries the connotation, to me, of a sort of familial comfort. Not to say that everybody always gets along in a flock; there are the normal differing personalities. Dominant individuals usually get to eat first. My husband and I are experiencing first-hand the culture of a flock of sheep, as we recently acquired some Barbados Blackbellies on our farm. With seven lambs born in the last two months, we have witnessed the beautiful nurturing between mothers and their babies, but also the heartbreaking language of rejection. One ewe refused to recognize her lamb, so we bottle-fed the little one for almost eight weeks. She would have otherwise perished. Raising sheep will help you understand the many metaphors in scripture regarding them. They are vulnerable, prone to wander, and in need of guidance. Like us, if outside of the care of someone who loves us and plans the best for us, they find themselves lost and in trouble. In fact, birds are also referenced many times in scripture as well, the common thread being that all are under the care of their Heavenly Father who feeds them.

So in this crazy world of winds and waters, mountains and valleys, countless paths and pitfalls, may we remember we are never alone, and may we share this hope in togetherness with our own flocks!