John James Audubon (1785-1851) was an ornithologist, naturalist and painter known for his groundbreaking work "The Birds of America," a collection of over 400 drawings of birds. Audubon's passion for birds and art created an enduring legacy that continues to impact birding and conservation today.

In this article we take a look at 10 iconic bird species seen in "Birds of America"

1.Carolina Parakeet 

The Carolina Parakeet was the only indigenous parrot species found in the eastern United States. It was brilliantly colored with green, yellow, and orange feathers and a reddish orange face. These parakeets lived in old forest swamps and along riverbanks in the southeastern United States from the Ohio Valley to Louisiana and south to central Florida.

The Carolina Parakeet traveled in noisy flocks and fed on cockleburs, thistles, fruits, nuts, seeds, and agricultural crops. They were very social and mated for life. They nested in tree hollows near rivers or swamps.

Tragically, the Carolina Parakeet was driven to extinction by habitat loss and being hunted as agricultural pests. The last known wild Carolina Parakeet died in Florida in 1904, and the last captive bird died at the Cincinnati Zoo in 1918. Audubon's painting serves as a record of this now extinct colorful bird.

2. Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is one of the most majestic woodpeckers in the world. This impressive bird has brilliant black and white plumage, a 30-inch wingspan, and a prominent ivory-colored bill. 

Ivory-bills inhabit mature forests of the southeastern United States. They feed on beetle larvae found under thick bark of dead and decaying trees. Their loud hammering can be heard from remarkable distances through the forest. They use their powerful bills to excavate nesting cavities deep within tree trunks.

Due to habitat loss from deforestation, this bird's populations severely declined in the early 20th century. The last confirmed sighting was thought to be in 1944 in Louisiana. However, recent reports of sightings in Arkansas offer hope that this iconic woodpecker may still exist in remote swamp forests of the South. While numbers are critically low, the majestic Ivory-billed Woodpecker fortunately is not extinct yet. Audubon's exquisite illustration preserves this bird's noble spirit for future generations.

3. American Flamingo

The American Flamingo inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal regions of North, South, and Central America. They are known for their distinctive long, thin legs and S-shaped neck as well as their vibrant pink and reddish plumage. 

American Flamingos live and nest in large flocks in mudflats, shallow lagoons, mangrove swamps, and estuaries. Their natural range spans from Mexico to Chile. They have a specialized diet, feeding mainly on algae, crustaceans, and plankton by filter feeding upside down underwater. Their bill is specially adapted for this feeding technique.

Flamingos engage in elaborate mating dances and build mound nests from mud. Both male and female incubate the single egg laid per season.

While still widespread in South America, habitat loss has decreased their numbers in North America. The American Flamingo is listed as Near Threatened.

4.American crow

The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is an intelligent all-black songbird found widely across North America. Their deep, cawing "caw caw" calls are a familiar sound. American Crows are highly social, congregating in large flocks and family groups. 

Crows are versatile omnivores eating insects, grains, fruits, seeds, small animals, and food waste. Their scavenging helps control pests and clean up carrion. While once persecuted as crop pests, protections have restored crow numbers. However, West Nile Virus is currently reducing some populations. Audubon's painting captures the American Crow's jet-black plumage and inquisitive nature, documenting a species that remains ubiquitous across modern North America.

5.Louisiana Heron

The Louisiana Heron (Hydranassa tricolor) is a small heron native to coastal regions of the southern United States. It has slate blue-gray plumage on the head, neck, wings and back. It forages in marshes, swamps, and muddy shorelines stalking small fish, frogs, and insects. It often remains motionless to ambush prey.

While once more widespread along the Gulf Coast, habitat destruction has reduced its range. It is now found only locally on the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. Due to declining populations from wetland drainage and development, the Louisiana Heron is classified as Near Threatened. Protecting remaining wetlands along the Gulf Coast is crucial to preserve suitable habitat for the vulnerable Louisiana Heron. Audubon's work reminds us of this bird's fragile beauty.

6.Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl is a large white owl of the Arctic tundra. Both male and female are predominantly white with varying black barring and spots. Prominent disc-shaped facial feathers frame the bright yellow eyes. Snowy Owls have thick feathering on their toes that act as insulation. Audubon captured a snowy perched on a branch showing its stunning white plumage. Despite their bulk, they are swift, agile hunters that prey on lemmings, hares, ptarmigan and other birds. Snowy Owls nest on the ground among rock outcrops and boulders. They migrate nomadically south in search of food. While not threatened globally, threats on their wintering grounds like collisions with vehicles and accidental poisoning impact them. Audubon's regal depiction documented this northerly owl years before climate change began altering its Arctic habitat.

7.The Snowy Egret

8.The Belted Kingfisher

Source : John James Audubon Letters and Drawings, 1805-1892, MS Am 21 (50), Houghton Library, Harvard University

9.Osprey, hawk fish

The Osprey  is a large raptor specially adapted for catching fish. It has white underparts, rich brown upperparts, and a white head marked by a dark eye stripe and brown crown. Its feet have rough spicules to grip slippery fish. Audubon captured an Osprey plunging talons-first to grab a fish from the water. Ospreys hunt by flying high then diving feet-first to seize fish near the surface. Their diet is 99% live fish. Ospreys build large stick nests high up in dead trees or manmade platforms. Though once threatened by DDT pesticide, they rebounded after its ban.  Protecting shoreline habitats is still vital to support healthy Osprey populations as coastal development increases.

10.Fork-tailed Flycatcher

The Fork-tailed Flycatcher is a dramatic bird with a deeply-forked tail and glossy black plumage contrasting with white underparts. It has a red crown, black bill, and red eyes. Audubon portrayed the flycatcher perched on a branch showing its distinct forked tail, plumage pattern, and crest. Fork-tailed Flycatchers breed in South America and migrate north to Central America and the southwestern US. They catch insects on the wing and occasionally while standing on branches. Their elaborate courtship displays feature aerial acrobatics. Population declines stem from habitat loss on their wintering grounds. Audubon provided one of the earliest paintings of this species in North America, documenting its standout appearance and biology. Protecting grasslands and savannas on its migratory routes and wintering range is key to preserving the Fork-tailed Flycatcher's future.

Conservation Legacy

"A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers, but borrowed from his children."- Audubon in a letter to his sons, 1838.

Audubon’s art and writings played a key role in 19th century naturalism and conservation. As forests were cleared, Audubon was concerned about the survival of many bird species. He lobbied for conservation measures, calling for restraint and responsibility in exploiting America’s natural resources. Audubon’s passion inspired others, spurring a movement to establish laws protecting birds and preserve their habitats.

Audubon’s legacy continues to live on and inspire bird lovers. The National Audubon Society, dedicated to conservation, bears his name. His seminal work documenting America’s birds reminds us of the beauty and fragility of nature that Audubon championed. Two centuries after his seminal work, Audubon remains America’s quintessential naturalist, ornithologist and conservation pioneer.

At Wallango, we are particularly keen to remain faithful to the conservation commitments that were dear to Audubon. Through our collection of posters based on Audubon's work, we donate a portion of our sales to the Bird Protection League.