On this day in 1785, famed ornithologist John James Audubon born in Haiti
April 26, 2024
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 26 of April, repeating indefinitely
On April 26, 1785 famed ornithologist John James Audubon was born in Les Caves, Saint-Dominique (modern-day Haiti). Audubon documented 700+ birds of America in his book, Birds of America. His faithful paintings of several species are still enjoyed today. 🐦🦆🦉🦅
Did you know? Audubon, though most associated with American wildlife, was not American himself. He originally came to the United States from France to avoid conscription into the Napoleonic Wars.
In a time before cameras and binoculars, Audubon would kill the birds in order to paint them accurately. Not one to let anything go to waste, he’d often eat the specimens afterwards, taking note of their flavor and tastiness. 🍗🍗🍗
John James Audubon, John Syme, 1826
