Plate 77 Belted Kingfisher 

This is Plate 77, "Belted Kingfisher," by John James Audubon. This aquatint engraving, part of Audubon's "Birds of America" series, transports us to the early 19th century. Audubon's work emerged during a period of intense scientific exploration and colonial expansion. However, it's essential to recognize Audubon's complicated legacy. While he aimed to document American birds with scientific accuracy, his work also reflects the racial and social hierarchies of his time. Audubon was not just an ornithologist but also a slave owner, and his depiction of the natural world often overlooked the perspectives and knowledge of indigenous peoples. Note the dynamic composition of the kingfishers, which departs from the static representations found in earlier scientific illustrations. The belted Kingfisher is in its natural environment, actively hunting, which evokes a sense of life. This print allows us to reflect on the intertwined histories of science, colonialism, and race in the making of American identity.