Little sandpiper
1827-1838
John James Audubon was obsessed with showing birds in their natural habitat, often at life-size scale, a hallmark of his realistic style. In this plate from his massive 'Birds of America' project (published between 1827 and 1838), two Little Sandpipers are caught in a lively moment by a stream, seemingly communicating over a tiny waterfall. To create these images, Audubon would often shoot his subjects and wire them into lifelike poses before drawing them—a grim but effective method for the time. This specific print was engraved and hand-colored by Robert Havell, whose workshop in London turned Audubon's raw sketches into scientific treasures. Fun fact: The species labeled 'Tringa Pusilla' here is known today as the Semipalmated Sandpiper.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
- Material
- Paper