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Sterna nilotica, gull-billed tern
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Sterna nilotica, gull-billed tern
Plate 410 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1835-38), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London
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Media ID 8578827
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Action Aquatint Arthropod Arthropoda Audubon Billed Birds Of America Birds The Art Of Ornithology Charadriiformes Dramatic Elphick Feet Forked Gull Gelochelidon Gelochelidon Nilotica Gull Billed Tern
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Plate 410 from John James Audubon's monumental work, "Birds of America," showcases the dramatic flight of the Gull-billed Tern, scientifically known as Sterna nilotica. This exquisite print, part of the original double elephant folio edition produced between 1835 and 1838, was created through a combination of meticulous engraving, printing, and hand-coloring by R. Havell & Son in London. The image captures the tern in mid-flight, its forked, gull-like bill pointed towards the ground as it scans for prey. Its long, slender legs trail behind, ready to plunge into the water for an arthropod meal. The tern's wings, expertly rendered in aquatint, create a sense of motion and energy, capturing the grace and agility of this bird in flight. Audubon's masterful depiction of the Gull-billed Tern is a testament to the artist's dedication to the natural world and his innovative approach to the art of ornithology. The vivid colors bring the bird to life, making it seem as if it could take flight from the page at any moment. This image, along with the other plates in "Birds of America," remains a cornerstone of ornithological illustration and a source of inspiration for artists and naturalists alike. The Gelochelidon nilotica, or Gull-billed Tern, is a member of the charadriiformes order and the aves class. It is found in various parts of Africa and Asia, and is known for its distinctive bill, which resembles that of a gull. This tern is an important predator in its ecosystem, feeding on a variety of arthropods and small fish during the daytime hours.
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