Audubon Revolutionized Art of Bird Painting
John James Audubon (1785-1851), the best bird illustrator of all time, revolutionized the art of bird painting by making the birds look alive with intelligence and personality.
Catesby Adds Color, Locale to Bird Painting
The second painting of a flamingo in America was drawn by Mark Catesby, the first ornithologist to include a typical tree, flower, or plant that indicated the food or habitat of each bird and the first to publish his paintings in color.
Roanoke Gov. Paints 1st Flamingo
The first known painting of a flamingo in America is a watercolor by John White (1577-1593) who was the governor of the famous Lost Colony of Roanoke Island, Virginia, founded by his friend Sir Walter Raleigh in 1585.
Wilson Beat Audubon to the Birds
Even John James Audubon considered Alexander Wilson the father of American ornithology. Wilson discovered nearly 50 new species of birds and more birds are named in his honor than any other person in the world: Wilson’s Warbler, Wilson’s Plover, Wilson’s Phalarope, Wilson’s Petrel, Wilson’s Snipe, Wilson’s Tern, and Wilson’s Thrush.
