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Molothrus ater, brown-headed cowbird
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Molothrus ater, brown-headed cowbird
Plate 99 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1827-30), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London
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Media ID 8598589
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10704564
Aquatint Audubon Foraging Headed Icteridae Pair Passeriformes Passerine Sauropsid Sauropsida Brown Headed Cowbird Cowbird Molothrus Molothrus Ater
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Plate 99 from John James Audubon's seminal work, "Birds of America," features the intricately detailed illustration of the Brown-headed Cowbird, Molothrus ater. This stunning hand-colored aquatint print, engraved, printed, and colored by R. Havell (& Son) in London between 1827 and 130, showcases the Brown-headed Cowbird in its natural habitat, foraging on the ground. The Brown-headed Cowbird, a member of the Icteridae family and the Passeriformes order, is a passerine bird known for its distinctive brown head, blue wings, and long, decurved beak. The bird's body is adorned with a mix of blue, brown, and black feathers, creating a striking contrast against its bright yellow eyes. Audubon's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the intricate textures and patterns of the bird's feathers, as well as the realistic depiction of its beak and legs. The artist's keen observation skills are also showcased in the accurate representation of the bird's posture and behavior, as it hunts for food on the forest floor. The Brown-headed Cowbird is a brood parasite, meaning it lays its eggs in the nests of other birds, allowing the cowbird chick to be raised by the host bird. This behavior is not depicted in the illustration, but it adds an interesting layer of complexity to the bird's ecology and behavior. Audubon's "Birds of America" is considered a masterpiece of natural history illustration, and this plate is a testament to the artist's dedication to accurately documenting the natural world. The hand-colored aquatint process used to create these prints allowed for a level of detail and nuance that was unmatched in the time period, making each print a unique work of art.
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