Weißer Ibis
1827-1838
John James Audubon’s stunning plate from his legendary Birds of America series captures the dramatic transformation of the White Ibis. On the left stands the pristine adult with its striking curved pink bill and black-tipped wings, while the juvenile on the right sports a mottled brown coat and a yellowish beak, looking like a completely different species. Audubon was famous for depicting birds in their natural habitats, often in dynamic poses, and here he even includes a crayfish to show off their favorite snack. This masterpiece of natural history illustration required massive copper plates and meticulous hand-coloring to bring these feathered personalities to life in the 1830s.
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