Red-Headed Yellow-Bodied Bird and White-Tailed Hummingbird, 1773, Paper

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This is a hand-colored copper engraving by Johann Michael Seligmann, derived from the work of George Edwards, and is part … Read more This is a hand-colored copper engraving by Johann Michael Seligmann, derived from the work of George Edwards, and is part of the *Sammlung verschiedener ausländischer und seltener Vögel* (Collection of Various Foreign and Rare Birds), published in Nuremberg between 1770 and 1773. The title, "Der Rothkopf mit gelbem Leib und das Colibrichen mit weissem Schwanz" (The Red-Headed Bird with Yellow Body and the Hummingbird with White Tail), refers to the two exotic bird species depicted. The engraving illustrates: 1. The Red-Headed Yellow-Bodied Bird (*Avicula lutea vertice rubro*), a striking bird with a red crown and yellow body with some red markings on its chest. 2. The Hummingbird with White Tail (*Melivora cauda alba*), with a curved beak, a mix of brown and red plumage, and a distinctive white tail. The Latin and French s indicate the species’ colors and distinguishing features. Seligmann’s technique combines copperplate engraving with meticulous hand-coloring, enhancing the vibrant details of each bird. This print exemplifies the era's fascination with documenting exotic avian species. See less