The Crucifixion Bird

My brother bought me an awesome book for Christmas, which I heartily recommend whether you are birder or not.

It is called Was Beethoven A Birdwatcher by David Turner. It is a brillaint, light and interesting read. In fact, if you are a fan of the TV show QI, then this really is right up your street. It is full of those kind of facts about various birds. All chunked up into short essays.

One of the Quite Interesting facts I learnt recently reading about the Goldfinch.

The Goldfinches red splashed face is said to have come from the blood of Christ, when a bird took a thorn from the crown on Jesus's head, whilst He was carrying the cross from Calvary. Small song birds have since frequently been used in classic paintings as symbols of death, and the souls of children.

The Goldfinch is not the only blood soaked bird to come from the crucifixion, there is another common bird who is said to have been stained that day. I shall blip that one on a future date (although I am sure you have all worked out which one it is).

This startlingly informative blip would have been posted a week or so ago, but the Two Odd Bedfellows got the nod that day!