American Bird Conservancy auctions original bird paintings

Via eBay, American Bird Conservancy is accepting bids on original artwork by Paul J. Greenfield. With Robert S. Ridgely, Greenfield created "The Birds of Ecuador" and now provides 11 bird paintings to raise funds for ABC.

The unframed acrylic paintings measure approximately 22 inches by 14 inches, and the starting bids range from $5,000 to $8,500. Close to 100% of the final sale price will go to ABC.

Each painting will arrive with a certificate of authenticity. Bidding will end on Oct. 23.

Puffbirds (right)
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Raptors
Woodpeckers
Herons, Ibises, & Spoonbills
Hummingbirds
Gnateaters & Tapaculos
Jacamars & New World Barbets
Miscellaneous Species
Wood-Quail & Seedsnipes
plus a piece not in the field guide: Masked Trogons with a current bird of $415

From ABC:

Paul J. Greenfield has studied and painted birds in Ecuador for over 35 years. He undertook the initial work for these paintings at his studio in Ecuador, and completed the pieces at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. Paul is closely involved in the conservation of the birds he paints, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Jocotoco Foundation, ABC's Ecuadorian partner group, alongside the book's co-author Robert Ridgely.

Praise for the field guide:

"A monumental work that sets a new standard for South American bird guides, The Birds of Ecuador fills a huge information vacuum. These volumes are a fitting tribute to the authors' passion and commitment to pass on their unparalleled knowledge of one of the world's richest avifaunas. Ecuador's nearly 1,600 bird species are here made accessible in a user-friendly format." --Steve N.G. Howell, author of "A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America"