Hawai'i is renowned for its stunning natural environments but faces a critical ecological contradiction as it holds the title of the bird extinction capital of the world. The islands have seen a dramatic decline in forest bird species, from 50 to just 17. Artist Jon Ching, a Conservation and Justice Fellow for the American Bird Conservancy, portrays six endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers in a series of hyperrealistic paintings. His work emphasizes the unique beauty of these birds while highlighting the ecological crisis they face, worsened by invasive mosquitoes that spread avian malaria.
Hawai'i, known for its beautiful beaches and lush forests, is paradoxically the bird extinction capital of the world, with forest species declining from 50 to just 17.
Jon Ching, a 2024 Conservation and Justice Fellow for the American Bird Conservancy, creates hyperrealistic paintings of endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers, showcasing their unique beauty and ecological plight.
Ching's paintings feature the endangered 'Akeke'e, with a design inspired by the 'ōhi'a lehua, symbolizing the vital relationship between the birds and their habitat.
ABC collaborates with Birds, Not Mosquitoes to tackle the invasive mosquito population in Hawai'i, which has significantly impacted native avian populations through avian malaria.
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