Birds in This Story
Western Tanager
Latin: Piranga ludoviciana
Pinyon Jay
Latin: Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus
Ferruginous Hawk
Latin: Buteo regalis
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Latin: Selasphorus platycercus
Colorful brushstrokes form stunning art that showcases southwest birds at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. But they aren’t just images on walls. This art conveys a message, an alarm to visitors that brings attention to birds in need.
North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and the decline continues. A loss of habitat due to development, wildfires, pollution, water scarcity and a changing climate has pushed birds to the edge.
Across the country, the Audubon Mural Project has been working with artists and municipalities to showcase public art that brings awareness to birds threatened by a changing climate.
The murals by Albuquerque artists Jade Cruz and Donny Kelley-Currens feature southwest birds, including the Pinyon Jay, Western Tanager, Broad-tailed Hummingbird, and Ferruginous Hawk.
“The Pinyon Jay is an example of a declining species. It’s so important to be able to showcase these birds visually for people to see,” said Jon Hayes, Audubon Southwest Executive Director. “It inspires them to ask questions, and to wonder, ‘what can I do to help?’”
A partnership between Audubon Southwest (the Arizona and New Mexico regional office of the National Audubon Society), Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque, and the ABQ BioPark Zoo made this mural installation possible.
“It's unthinkable that we may be approaching a world without these birds! When families visit the zoo and walk through the Raptor Roost, we hope the new murals will catch their attention and encourage them to imagine and support a safer world for all wildlife,” said Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico member Dana Loy, who helped spearhead this project.
A selection committee represented by the Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque, and the BioPark Zoo chose two artists, Donny Kelley-Currens and Jade Cruz, from more than two dozen applicants. The artists were chosen for their expressive designs, community involvement, and emphasis on the environment in their artwork.
“This mural stands as a beautiful, vibrant, yet urgent testament to the sacredness of life, inspiring reverence for all living beings and highlighting the importance of cultivating relationships based on gratitude and reciprocity,” said artist Jade Cruz. "Tapping into our ancestral memory to remember that in order to restore balance and ensure a habitable planet, we must align ourselves and reinforce our responsibility to honor, celebrate and protect the earth, each other, and all living beings for future generations."
“I feel that this state has very unique habitats, and my goal is for those who see the murals to immediately know the location and feel a sense of pride in their home being represented,” said artist Donny Kelley-Currens. “I want spectators to be transported into the habitats they represent and see these familiar places in a new light and with a newfound appreciation for the wildlife they could see there next time they visit.”
See the first Audubon Mural Project installation in the southwest with an entry to the ABQ BioPark Zoo and learn how you can make a difference for birds by visiting audubon.org.
