The Institute for Creation Research

Why are evolutionists surprised to learn that birds are intelligent, careful, and very caring? Birds communicate among themselves, use tools, and often demonstrate altruism (unselfishly caring for others)—sometimes risking their own welfare to care for a neighbor in need.¹ Yet, if evolutionists would take Scripture seriously, especially Genesis, they would not be surprised, because Christ bioengineered bird kinds with built-in traits designed to fit them for population success.¹

Accordingly, these evolutionists err because they have the wrong biological theory of bird behaviors. They fail to recognize God’s Genesis mandate-purposed designs (including continuous environmental tracking systems)² that predispose bird populations toward successful “filling” of various post-Flood environments (Genesis 9:1-7).

Consider, for example, how caring birds—such as the African savannah thrush called the southern pied babbler (Turdoides bicolor)—altruistically serve as risk-taking sentinels, willingly endangering themselves to protect their friends and families.

We found that [Turdoides bicolor] sentinel behaviour was costly because (a) sentinels were targeted by predators more often, (b) they were further [sic] from cover than foragers, and (c) they took longer to reach the safety of cover following a predator alarm.…These results suggest that individuals do not become sentinels because it is safer. This is the first study to demonstrate that sentinels are at greater risk of predator attack than foraging group members.³

Likewise, consider how some corvids—such as America’s scrub jay, Eurasia’s Siberian jay, and the Australian magpie—rescue other birds from predators or from “ankle bracelet”-like GPS monitors.

Here, we describe one such study trialling [i.e., trial-experimenting] a novel harness design for GPS tracking devices on Australian Magpies Gymnorhina tibicen. Despite previous testing demonstrating the strength and durability of the harness, devices were removed within minutes to hours of initial fitting. Notably, removal was observed to involve one bird snapping another bird’s harness at the only weak point, such that the tracker was released.⁴

Humans deem themselves higher than animals, but how are we higher? Some animals are bigger, faster, hear better, smell better, reproduce better, swim better, live longer, communicate farther, ascend higher, descend lower, etc.⁵ So, a quantitative comparison using “more is better” assumptions cannot explain why mankind is higher in created value and glory than the animal kingdom.

Yet, as creatures go, mankind is qualitatively higher than other life forms, such as birds.⁶ Specifically, the greatest qualitative difference is that humans—male and female (starting with Adam and Eve)—are God’s favorites, uniquely created in God’s own image.⁶

Thankfully, as God’s most-favored creatures, we humans can individually receive personal redemption and eternal life (John 3:16), with everlasting gratefulness unto Christ our Creator-Redeemer.

References

1. Regarding jackdaw intelligence, see Johnson, J. J. S. Jackdaw Identify “Dangerous” from “Safe” Humans. Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org May 4, 2020, accessed March 14, 2022. Regarding crows using tools, see Johnson, J. J. S. 2017. Clever Creatures: ‘Wise from Receiving Wisdom.’ Acts & Facts. 46 (3): 21.
2. For more information on continuous environmental tracking, visit ICR.org/cet.
3. Ridley, A. R., M. J. Nelson-Flower, and A. M. Thompson. 2013. Is Sentinel Behaviour Safe? An Experimental Investigation. Animal Behaviour. 85 (1): 137-142, quoted in Johnson, J. J. S. 2020. Sentinels Are Needed in Perilous Times. Acts & Facts. 49 (8): 21.
4. Crampton, J., C. H. Frère, and D. A. Potvin. 2022. Australian Magpies Gymnorhina tibicen Cooperate to Remove Tracking Devices. Australian Field Ornithology, 39: 7-11. See also Nowbahari, E. and K. L. Hollis. 2010. Rescue Behavior: Distinguishing Between Rescue, Cooperation and Other Forms of Altruistic Behavior. Communicative & Integrative Biology. 3 (2): 77-79. Regarding corvids’ rescue altruism, see Johnson, J. J. S. Coast Guards and Corvids: Flying to the Rescue! Creation Science Update. Posted on ICR.org June 9, 2020, accessed March 14, 2022.
5. Willfully ignoring God’s life, evolutionists are famous for imagining humans as the “highest form of life” in the universe. However, the Lord Jesus Christ’s intelligence is infinitely higher than mankind’s. Christ is very active in our universe and is transcendent over it as its Creator! Evolutionist Nicholas Longrich relies upon a mix of imagined “natural selection” and “improbable fluke” luck, assuming that evolution can occur eventually, similar to how he imagines lucky literature from imaginary monkeys incessantly typing on magical typewriters. See Longrich, N. R. Evolution Tells Us We Might be the Only Intelligent Life in the Universe. The Conversation. Posted on theconversation.com October 18, 2019, accessed March 10, 2022. However, due to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, no such lucky typewriters can ever produce biological life via abiogenesis, despite infinite time. See Johnson, J. J. S. 2018. Infinite Time Won’t Rescue Evolution. Acts & Facts. 47 (6): 21.
6. Genesis 1:26-28. See also Psalm 8;
7. Romans 8:29; Colossians 3:10;
8. 2 Corinthians 2:18.

* Dr. Johnson is Associate Professor of Apologetics and Chief Academic Officer at the Institute for Creation Research.