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Painting Birdsong with Jane Kim
The Wall of Birds portrays a world full of singing birds.
© Courtesy of Jane Kim
At the visitor center of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, artist and scientific illustrator Jane Kim painted the Wall of Birds to celebrate the evolution and diversity of birds. Completed in December 2015, the massive mural depicts nearly 250 birds — and several of their ancient predecessors — on a map of the world where each lives. Jane worked closely with scientific advisors to ensure that each portrait accurately represents the bird's features and behaviors, including many species — like the Three-wattled Bellbird — that appear to sing from their place on the wall.
BirdNote®
Painting Birdsong with Jane Kim
Written by Ariana Remmel
This is BirdNote.
In December 2015, artist Jane Kim completed a massive painting about the wonders of birds.
Jane Kim: So the Wall of Birds is an interior mural located at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Visitor Center. And this mural is meant to celebrate the evolution and diversity of birds.
It depicts nearly 250 life-sized birds — and several of their ancient predecessors — on a map of the world where each lives. Jane worked closely with the Cornell Lab to ensure that each portrait is scientifically accurate.
Jane Kim: And so some of the birds I definitely have in their calling posture, because I think that bird is so known for their calls. Like the Three-wattled Bellbird is like an absolute stunner. But that particular call is just bonkers. I mean, it is a bonk, it's like a literal bonk.
[Three-wattled Bellbird]
Jane Kim: The Wood Warbler has its mouth open calling out.
[Wood Warbler]
Jane Kim: Or the Lyrebird. How can you not be enchanted by the Lyrebird?
[Superb Lyrebird]
In Australia, the Superb Lyrebird waves his elaborate tail feathers overhead. In North America, a Carolina Wren tilts an open bill to the sky. All across the map is a world full of birdsong.
Jane Kim: I really hope that the call looks like it's, you can hear it — the action of it — in the painting.
[Carolina Wren]
You can see and hear all these species from the Wall of Birds when you visit our website, BirdNote.org. I’m Nick Bayard.
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Senior Producer: Mark Bramhill
Producer: Sam Johnson
Managing Producer: Jazzi Johnson
Managing Producer: Ariana Remmel
Content Director: Jonese Franklin
Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Three-wattled Bellbird, ML219925 recorded by David L. Ross, Jr.; Wood Warbler, ML36195 recorded by Arnoud B. van den Berg; Superb Lyrebird, ML229691 recorded by Vicki Powys; Carolina Wren, ML128910 recorded by Gerrit Vyn.
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2025 BirdNote December 2025
Narrator: Nick Bayard
ID# KimJ-02-2025-12-19 KimJ-02
Nick Bayard
Narrator
Ariana Remmel
WriterSights & Sounds
