Pied Heron, c. 1845 by John Gould

Pied Heron, c. 1845 by John Gould depicts a pair of pied herons (Herodias picata) perched on a weathered branch above a reed-lined waterway, their black-and-white plumage and amber bills rendered in fine hand-colored detail. Gould, the great Victorian bird-illustration publisher, first described this Australian species in 1845 and included it among the celebrated plates of his Birds of Australia.

Artist: John Gould (British, 1804-1881). Date: c. 1845.

Pied Heron, c. 1845 by John Gould. Ornithological Canvas Print.