Splendid FairyWren

I now have my paintings of the Splendid Fairy Wren finished. These small birds make a “pipping” sound and are found “down-under”. The splendid fairywren is found across much of the Australian continent from central-western New South Wales and southwestern Queensland over to coastal Western Australia. It inhabits predominantly arid and semi-arid regions. The males change color depending whether or not they are breeding. The males resemble the female wren when not in season.  Their scientific name comes Malurus from the Greek world malacos meaning soft and oura meaning tail. Splendens come from the Latin word for shining.

Splendid Fairy Wren Perched

Splendid Fairy Wren

Splendid Wrens in pastels

🌈Toucans

The toucan is the first of my bird studies. This week I painted in both pastels and oils.

In its native region, toucans are associated with evil spirits and are thought to be the incarnation of a demon. In certain religions of South and Central America, father of a new child must not eat toucan flesh as it might bewitch the newborn and cause it to fade away. The birds have also been used as a tribal totem and the medicine man may use them to fly to the spirit world. Toucans are on the endangered species list due to the cutting down of the rain forests.

Toucan

Toucan Perched

Toucan in pastels