These Paintings Document the Beauty of Birds

When it comes to the bird population, the future looks dire. Scientists estimate that two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction due to climate change. One research shows that bird populations have plummeted in the past five decades, dropping by nearly three billion across North America—an overall decline of 29 percent from 1970.

The data is overwhelming and it’s hard to grasp what it is exactly we stand to lose. In such cases, a picture might indeed be worth a thousand words. Canadian artist Rose Tanner helps bridge to gap between research and empathy. Using traditional oil painting techniques, she captures the unique behavior of birds, be it flying or nesting.

These oil paintings also include endangered birds, as Tanner explains on her website: “Endangered birds are a gauge to the health of our environment. By protecting the endangered we reassess our environment and our actions to come up with solutions for the species survival. It leads to growth, education, community and improves the environment, wouldn’t you say these are all great reasons to protect the endangered?”

Recent paintings include a blue-winged Warbler, Magpies, and Piping Plovers. Tanner herself is an avid bird watcher, with her work oftentimes relying on her personal observations. “One time I traveled 12,000 kilometers for a species,” she told Artsy Shark. “With a long lens, I have witnessed extraordinary behavior that inspires me deeply,” she notes.

Documenting birds is one way of ensuring we understand better the cost of their extinction. Awareness is key. Still, at least by some measures, not all is lost. A recent study shows that global conservation action has reduced the effective extinction rate of birds by an astonishing 40%.