The Australian Museum has recently launched its latest exhibit, “The Birds of Australia” which follows the journey of a 19th-century naturalist and ornithologist known simply as “Bob” and his wife, illustrator “Betty”. The dynamic duo travelled through New South Wales and recorded unique birdlife, identifying hundreds of species new to western science.
The exhibit showcases Betty’s stunning illustrations which have been described as “paintings so realistic, they’re almost better than the real thing”. Bob’s bird watching skills were also not to be scoffed at, as he had an eagle-eye for spotting rare and exotic birds.
In keeping with the theme of Australian birds, The Guardian and Birdlife Australia have announced that the “Emu” will be the bird of the year for 2023. Not much of a surprise there, as the Emu is a staple in Australian wildlife and cuisine.
To make the exhibit more engaging, the current taxonomy of the birds has been included in brackets. This is to make sure that visitors are clued up on the science behind the winged creatures.
All in all, “The Birds of Australia” exhibit is one not to be missed. Although Bob and Betty may not be as famous as John and Elizabeth Gould, their impact on nature and science cannot be understated. So if you’re in need of some feathered fun, head on down to the Australian Museum and experience the wonder of The Birds of Australia.
