Birding Inspiration | Bird Academy • The Cornell Lab

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Bird Academy

Birds delight and amaze us. They capture our interest and connect us with our creativity! Whether you’re a visual artist or an artist of the written word, we’d love to celebrate your birdy inspiration. Here’s a creative prompt we’d love to see your take on: Can you describe what inspires you about birds through art?

Share anything that inspires you about birds! This can be art you've created, a poem, just a story, or anything creative. Examples include spark stories, favorite birding memories, or your favorite thing about birds and birding.

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Lauren
Participant

Chirps: 1

Here is my first attempt at a bird mosaic. A western meadowlark key hanger. Looking forward to doing more!
Salih
Blocked

Chirps: 117
When I go to a wetland to take photos and find a new bird species for the wetland, I am very happy. The bird species that I both photographed and drew a picture of in Germany and that is a milestone for me is the Indian goose. I also took a photograph of the sacred ibis bird in Italy and drew its picture. I also took a photograph of the Canada goose in Germany and the Czech Republic and drew its picture. I draw the birds I draw without using a ruler.
Crystal
Participant

Chirps: 5
This summer, I've really been inspired by the catbirds! They built a nest right outside my window. Mom and Dad(?) stuck around and policed the yard the whole time the babies were there. Lots of catbird concerts from atop a nearby snag!
Laura Marjorie
Participant

Chirps: 7
Pelican Wing is the wing of an American White Pelican who was at a wildlife rehab I volunteered at ~ he eventually got to go to a bird sanctuary in Ohio <3
- Crystal
  Participant
  
  Chirps: 5
  These colors are really nice! What a lovely yellow to offset the pelican's feathers
Laura Marjorie
Participant

Chirps: 7
Archangels I has a Goldcrest song in it ~ can you spot it? ;o)
Laura Marjorie
Participant

Chirps: 7
Ophanim I has magenta wings modelled after Peregrine wings at full stoop, to give a sense of utter speed :)
Harmony
Participant

Chirps: 1

I drew this Blackburnian Warbler escaping the horrors of the city and making it to his breeding grounds. I find bird migration really inspiring, especially how they travel so far and face countless challenges twice per year on tiny wings of hope.
- Laura Marjorie
  Participant
  
  Chirps: 7
  What a hopeful image, Harmony!!! Full of strength and joy :)))
- Crystal
  Participant
  
  Chirps: 5
  Really lovely! I can never get perspective nor colored pencils to look this good!
Laura Marjorie
Participant

Chirps: 7
Mississippi Matangi and the Carolina Parakeet has a Carolina Parakeet as a pet ~? and is also wearing one as a brooch, reflecting the bird trade back in the day & our complex relationship with birds <3
Laura Marjorie
Participant

Chirps: 7
Seraphim I includes Cardinal wings and Carolina Parakeet wings :)
Jerry
Participant

Chirps: 3

Here is a couple more. Would like to know if you like them.
- Laura Marjorie
  Participant
  
  Chirps: 7
  The Trumpeter Swans are extraordinary Jerry! I can hear the thunder of their wings :)
Jerry
Participant

Chirps: 3

I am a novice artist, but I have painted a few birds.
- Crystal
  Participant
  
  Chirps: 5
  That wetland is beautiful! You really did the sunset on the water fantastically
Jerry
Participant

Chirps: 3
Hannah
Participant

Chirps: 2

Blackbird Song: A Series of Haiku

“Conk-la-ree” sounds clear /

From the throat of a blackbird. /

Dark wings patched with red. //

From golden rushes /

Gay troupes of blackbirds rise, then /

Dance in painted skies. //

They settle like dust /

On the reeds and shining pond. /

Clear sound, “Conk-la-ree.” //

Some may seek beauty /

In grand and distant places. /

She sings through blackbirds.
- Hannah
  Participant
  
  Chirps: 2
  
  Unfortunately the format does not allow me to put in the space between lines and stanzas. I have used single slashes for breaks between lines and double slashes for breaks between stanzas.
- Crystal
  Participant
  
  Chirps: 5
  That last one really hits home for me. Great imagery!