Townsend's Bunting

by John James Audubon

Unravel some of the mystery that exists within America’s ornithology with this stunning rendition of John James Audubon’s Townsend’s Bunting, illustrated within plate 400 (CCCC) of the famous 19th century publication, “The Birds of America”.

What makes this print even more fascinating is not only its beautiful artwork, but also the intriguing zoological riddle it portrays. The species of bird illustrated here was discovered only once in history and has yet to be rediscovered after extensive searches in the past two hundred years. It was first discovered in 1833 when the renowned ornithologist John Kirk Townsend found this bird on a fence rail in New Garden, Pennsylvania. Many ornithologists today believe that this is a depiction of a uniquely created or genetically mutated hybrid of the Dickcissel.

Audubon’s painting of the bird perched gracefully on an elegant, budding branch, exhibiting the characteristic dark markings and white eye rings is breathtaking.