Illustration: Eric Nyquist
In our Aviary series, we ask artists to explore the intersection of birds and art as a catalyst for shifting perspectives and perceptions. The Aviary is an evolution of The Illustrated Aviary, which ran from 2013-2021 and invited artists to reinterpret John James Audubon’s original watercolors through their own unique style. In its new iteration, we’ve widened the series to include artists in any medium who are motivated to educate and inspire people to take action on behalf of birds. Artwork from this series is included on the back page of every issue of Audubon magazine.
You can receive the magazine by becoming a member of Audubon today.
With “Woodpecker Trinity,” artist Roberto Benavidez reimagines a famous Audubon watercolor to pay tribute to the long-debated woodpecker, while adding his own symbolic twists.
In her watercolor triptych, Rosalie Haizlett celebrates the vibrant colors and details found in the feathers of common—and commonly overlooked—species.
Wooden decoys long played a key role in hunting birds. Artist David Personius hopes his modern take can inspire conservation instead.
Artist and birdsong researcher Ana Luiza Catalano’s embroidered portrait brings a shy species—and its song—into feathery focus.
Artist Lauren Levato Coyne’s painted collage is a pointed commentary on how vulnerable the endangered bird is to habitat destruction.
Artist Meg T. Justice provides a fresh perspective on the habitat that sustains the Hooded Merganser.
In "Spotted Towhee" artist Phyllis Shafer depicts a widespread bird of the West in a rapidly changing landscape.
In her piece “I’ll See You When I Get There,” artist Kirsten Furlong uses ink and acrylic to capture the birds’ seemingly magical journeys.
Artist Sarah Conti situates life-size versions of the shorebirds in a disappearing habitat.
Data artist Jer Thorp’s stunning visualization shows every individual counted on a single Brooklyn day.
Mayuko Fujino’s flock in flight celebrates a common species threatened by climate change.
George Boorujy’s evocative artwork depicts a colorful songbird in a climate-devastated future.
Jessica Maffia merges her artistic talents with her enthusiasm for nature in a plant-based representation of the Wood Thrush.
Artist John Paul Brammer finds inspiration in Oklahoma’s expansive skies and Native American regalia.
Building layer upon layer, mixed-media artist e bond coaxes the Common Loon from paper and ink.
Through artistic abstraction, Gizem Vural casts the oft-maligned Blue Jay in a sunny light.
Phil Wheeler uses repeating patterns to unite a hungry wader with otherworldly terrain.
Angela Haseltine Pozzi's nonprofit turns litter from Oregon beaches into 'beautiful and horrifying' sculptures of wildlife harmed by plastic pollution.
Illustrating this familiar bird was part of artist Luke Swinson's exploration of his Indigenous roots.
Dianne Bennett drops her bucolic bluebirds into an environment humming with human activity.
Artist Dan Winters turns the lanky wader into a 'creature of lore.'
Illustrator Stephen Kroninger's interpretation loses a bird but gains a glossy string of pearls.
Joseph Ciardiello gives North America's largest vulture the royal treatment.
Contemporary artist Eric Nyquist captures the carnage of a peregrine feast.
Artist Claire Brewster uses pieces of the world to craft the birds that wander it.
Cultural icon Tony Fitzpatrick blends folk art with his bird obsession.
Olimpia Zagnoli's bird has plenty of style—both on and off the page.
In Edel Rodriguez's replica, icy blank space takes a seabird's place.
In the creative mind of Ralph Steadman, the corvid channels independence.
Artist Harry Campbell challenges himself with a new subject.
Illustrator Calef Brown drew inspiration from a childhood encounter with the bird.
Gaby D'alessandro channels her love of Dominican home into her art.
Street artist L7m spray paints a wall of art.
Ryan Berkley reimagines this avian just in time for the Christmas Bird Count.
Artist Josh Brill takes a fresh look at a fading species.
Hanoch Piven relies on serendipity to piece together his interpretation of this vibrant wader.
A Toronto artist offers his geometric take on this iconic bird of the south.
Artist David Plunker relies on patterns and visual storytelling from the original to inspire his own creation.
Artist Jenny Kendler creates a birds’ eye view of climate change. In her artwork, it’s us they’re watching.
With a doomed frog and Mexican flair, illustrator Llew Mejia adds a fresh take on this classic print.
Martin Haake's collage-style design enlivens the bird's dark plumage—and gives it a fish to snack on.
Artist Lauren Tamaki captures the chatter of these vocal western corvids.
Artist Brandon Ballengée highlights extinction by removing cutting species out of classic prints.
Artist James Yang uses basic shapes to illustrate a bird's form and function.
A contemporary take on an antique-looking bird.
Olaf Hajek kicks off the series with a little lesson in art history.
April SGaana Jaad White uses Northwest Coast designs to reimagine this Southeastern bird.
Animator Christoph Niemann brings new life to his tool in a mixed-media rendition of a raptor.
Artist Keith Negley adds imaginative flourishes to an exquisite pair of birds.
Let us send you the latest in bird and conservation news.
