Birds
- MGMoA
- Jul 25, 2024
- 2 min read
by Delaynna Trim, Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art Curator
Do you have a bird feeder or go to the park to watch birds? Many people engage in this popular pastime. In fact, in 2022, over 96 million people in the US closely observed, fed, or photographed birds. That is more than 35% of the US population over 16.
Fittingly, the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art’s newest exhibit is Birds in Art, featuring 60 works of art featuring all types of birds from penguins to vultures and everything in between. Since 1976, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum has organized Birds in Art annually, seeking to present the best contemporary artistic interpretations of birds and related subject matter. Of the 60 artists featured in this exhibit 23 are international artists. There are paintings as well as sculptures made out of metal, marble, wood, and even used shotgun shells.
Did you know that there are 18 different species of penguins? Penguins only live in the southern hemisphere. Five species of penguins live in the Antarctic. They also live on the coasts of Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and South America.
Vultures are mainly scavengers. Did you know that they can’t sing or chirp like other birds because they lack a syrinx. They can only hiss, growl, and snarl, which adds to their bad reputation.
There are 21 duck species just found in Oklahoma! Ducklings can fly between 5 and 8 weeks of hatching. Ducks can see in color.
Many people know that swans mate for life, but did you know that they can live to be over 20 years old in the wild. Swans can sleep either while standing on one leg or while floating in the water.
Do you know which bird is the Oklahoma state bird? It is the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. It became our state bird in 1951.
There are just so many bird facts!
What is your favorite bird? Can you find it here in Oklahoma?
On Friday, August 9, Mark Howery, Senior Wildlife Diversity Biologist at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation will give a talk on Backyard Birds in Central Oklahoma. This event is free and all are welcome.
Birds in Art is on exhibit until August 11. The MGMoA is free until the end of August thanks to the generous sponsorships of the Avedis foundation, BancFirst, Mission Monks, and St. Gregory’s Abbey.
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