Yellow-billed Cuckoo, from 'Birds of America', engraved by William Home Lizars (1788-1859) and retouched by Robert Havell (1793-1878) 1829 (coloured engraving), Audubon, John James (1785-1851) (after) / Private Collection / The Bridgeman Art Library
Prolific artist John Audubon (1785 – 1851), whose name is synonymous with birds, created an astounding 435 paintings of many different varieties of birds. Audubon dominated wildlife art, spending days and weeks in the woods producing countless life-size bird drawings. In the late 1800s, the Audubon Society was founded in his name, honoring his respect for birds and the environment. Contemporary bird artists still aspire to the quality of his exquisitely detailed, dramatic work.