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

A celebration of the diversity and evolution of birds, as depicted in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's magnificent 2,500-square-foot Wall of Birds mural by artist Jane Kim.

Part homage, part artistic and sociological journey, The Wall of Birds tells the story of birds' remarkable 375-million-year evolution. With a foreword by John W. Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and full of lush photographs of gorgeous life-size birds painted in exacting detail, The Wall of Birds lets readers explore these amazing creatures family by family and continent by continent. Throughout, beautifully crafted narratives and intimate artistic reflections tell of the evolutionary forces that created birds' dazzling variety of forms and colors, and reveal powerful lessons about birds that are surprisingly relevant to contemporary human challenges.

From the tiny five-inch Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird to the monstrous thirty-foot Yutyrannus, The Wall of Birds is a visual feast, essential for bird enthusiasts, naturalists, and art lovers alike.

A celebration of the diversity and evolution of birds, as depicted in the cornell lab of ornithology’s magnificent 2,500-square-foot wall of birds mural by artist Jane Kim

Part homage, part artistic and sociological journey, The Wall of Birds tells the story of birds’ remarkable 375-million-year evolution. With a foreword by John W. Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and full of lush photographs of gorgeous life-size birds painted in exacting detail, The Wall of Birds lets readers explore these amazing creatures family by family and continent by continent. Throughout, beautifully crafted narratives and intimate artistic reflections tell of the evolutionary forces that created birds’ dazzling variety of forms and colors, and reveal powerful lessons that are surprisingly relevant to contemporary human challenges. 

From the tiny five-inch Marvelous Spatuletail hummingbird to the monstrous thirty-foot Yutyrannus, The Wall of Birds is a visual feast, essential for bird enthusiasts, naturalists, and art lovers alike.

“A visual diary of Kim’s Sistine Chapel-like endeavor.” - Outside

“A masterwork.” - Lulu Garcia-Navarro, NPR

“A richly detailed book.” - Fast Company

“This is a beautiful, inspiring and informative book about an astonishing and bold project.” - BBC Wildlife Magazine

“It creates its own space and purpose that dazzles with the color and life of its paintings and intrigues with the story it tells.” - LA Review of Books

“This book is highly recommended to fans of art, birds, or, especially, both.” - The Birder's Library, Best Bird Books of 2018