The Wall of Birds ― One Planet, 243 Families, 375 Million Years

The complete illustrated history of birds from their earliest origins to today, featuring 300 full-color images drawn from the magnificent Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Wall of Birds mural.

Commissioned to celebrate the centennial of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the epic 2,500-square-foot Wall of Birds mural—created by renowned artist Jane Kim over three years—pictures the 375-million-year evolution of birds. It is the only mural in the world to depict representatives from all 270 types of modern birds, in addition to twenty-seven other evolutionarily significant relatives, from the tiny five-inch Marvelous Spateultail hummingbird to the monstrous 30-foot Yutyrannus.

Part homage, part artistic and sociological journey, The Wall of Birds tells the story of these species’ remarkable evolution. With a foreword by John W. Fitzpatrick, Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and full of lush photographs of the gorgeous, life-size birds painted in exacting detail, The Wall of Birds lets you explore the diversity of these amazing creatures continent by continent, and provides beautifully crafted narratives that will give readers an understanding of the evolutionary forces that created their dazzling variety of forms and colors, and provide insight into how each species spread and developed across the globe.

This extraordinary compendium also offers the artist’s intimate reflections on the art of science illustration, and includes unique glimpses into her artistic process, such as how she expertly mixed an "avian pantone" palette to create subtle highlights and lowlights for each bird.

From the Great Gray Owl to the Great Blue Heron, the Atlantic Puffin to the Lilac-breasted Roller, the Common Ostrich to the Emperor Penguin, the Splendid Fairywren to the Crimson-breasted Flowerpecker, The Wall of Birds is a visual feast, essential for bird lovers, naturalists, environmentalists, and art enthusiasts alike.