© Andrew Denman ...1998/Science Art-Birds

Title: Fanny Got Bling
Species: Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria)
Artist: Andrew Denman (for further information, click on the artist's name)
Image size: 34 " x 20"
Media: acrylic on masonite
Date: 2006
Pacific Wildlife Galleries, Lafayette, CA

Named for Queen Victoria of the U.K, this ground-feeding pigeon is found in the lowland forests and swamp forests of New Guinea and nearby islands where it is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, primarily in response to habitat loss and hunting. Public education and captive breeding programs are planned--as are research and monitoring efforts--and ecotourism ventures are under discussion. The spectacular pigeon is already legally protected in Papua New Guinea.

The artist notes: "This bird, Fanny, resides with her mate, Mike, in a friend's aviary. Here, Fanny displays her powerful wings, which these pigeons employ in the wild for self defense, stunniing, for instance, a threatening snake with a powerful karate-chop like blow."