The Forgotten Bird Artist
The Forgotten Bird Artist  
Podcast: Our Wild Lives
Published On: Fri Apr 03 2026
Description: Rex Brasher was one of the greatest bird artists of his time. His life’s mission was to see and paint every bird species in North America. But today, many people–even avid birders–have never heard his name. In this episode of “Our Wild Lives,” Cynthia Carter Ayres and Matthew Schnepf from the Rex Brasher Association join us to tell the story of the man who painted 874 different bird species of North America. Brasher's approach was unique. Unlike most other artists of his time, he painted live birds in the field, not after shooting them or from consulting stuffed study specimens. Now, the Association is working to bring his body of work to the modern age for all to enjoy.Learn more: About Rex Brasher: https://rexbrasher.org/The digitized “Birds and Trees of North America” collection: https://rexbrasher.org/collection/birds-and-treesCover Images courtesy of the Rex Brasher AssociationShare your thoughts on the Our Wild Lives Podcast by sending us a text here!Become a member of The Wildlife Society: https://wildlife.org/membership/Support Wildlife, Invest in Wildlife Professionals: https://wildlife.org/donate/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewildlifesociety/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildlifesocietyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wildlife-society/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@The_Wildlife_Society