Original David Sibley artwork for Birders' Exchange

A few weeks prior we mentioned that David Sibley was busy working on a piece of art, depicting a pair of endangered Hooded Grebes in acrylic, to be auctioned off in support of the ABA's wonderful conservation program Birders' Exchange. I'm happy to report that the painting has been completed, and is now up for sale on the online auction site eBay for those birders interested in a gorgeous piece of original art from one of North America's most talented bird artists.

 

David Allen Sibley is a world-renowned, American ornithologist. He is the author and illustrator of The Sibley Guide to Birds, considered by many to be the most comprehensive guide for North American field identification. David, son of well-known ornithologist, Fred Sibley, began seriously watching and drawing birds in 1969 at the age of seven. David has written and illustrated articles on bird identification for Birding and North American Birds and is the author and illustrator of The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America, The Sibley Guide to Trees, and Sibley's Birding Basics among others: http://www.sibleyguides.com

Hooded Grebes are found on only a few lakes in the southwest of Argentina. The continued survival of this handsome species is threatened by a number of factors including lowered water levels due to climate change and the introduction of exotic, predatory fish. For more information about Hooded Grebe conservation please visit: www.avesargentinas.org.ar and www.aba.org/bex

Thanks to David’s generosity and dedication to bird conservation, the proceeds from this auction will be used to support crucial conservation projects on behalf of this iconic and critically endangered species through the American Birding Association’s Birders’ Exchange program and its efforts to support Aves Argentinas, working jointly with Ambiente Sur. Together, we hope to save the Hooded Grebe from extinction.

David rarely does paintings on this scale. He usually paints small field-guide-style portraits on a plain background, which makes this particular painting a rare opportunity for someone to own a more fully realized, Sibley original! This unique painting is acrylic, and is full size, 14" x 23."

Starting bid for this beautiful, original, acrylic painting with proceeds benefitting Hooded Grebe conservation is: $5000 USD.

The auction lasts only until 2:15 EDT, on April 1, 2012.  So get over there and bid!