A little bird told me…
Between 2016 and 2018 this little tauhou, silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) shared my home and studio. I was just beginning my study of native species when I found them on the ground in my neighbourhood. I took them into a local bird rescue centre and was told if I was happy to continue to raise them then I should. Living with this bird taught me to appreciate the value of each individual life on this planet and I have gone onto dedicate my life’s work to drawing attention this consideration.
Manu Māori, Native Birds of Aotearoa
Hover over an image for basic species info or click on an image or link provided to purchase prints. Scroll through the carousel of my favourite studies or scroll down for more. These studies have been hand painted with gouache on cotton rag using archival materials. For licensing or commission inquiries please email info@erinforsyth.com All images Copyright (c) Erin Forsyth 2025.
Tauhou
Tauhou is the name given to my publishing imprint in respect for my bird friend. In te reo Māori the name translates loosely into ‘new arrival’ or ‘stranger’. This refers to the species self-introduction in the 1800s. It seemed fitting when I was starting out and for the creation of visual resources providing access to new information.
I now know these birds may be put down in such a situation. I’m eternally grateful for whatever reason the volunteer at the centre that day allowed me to take them home. It is illegal to take any animal or parts (such as feathers or bones) from public land in Aotearoa. Wild animals are not pets or objects to be collected.
Image: Male and female huia (Heteralocha acutirostris) mount. Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand. Extinct aves collections. Accessed kindly provided by Colin Miskelly, Curator of Invertebrates, 2018.
It has been my goal to represent my subjects with a sense of life and illustrate the key characteristics of the species concerned. Some of these works are earlier and demonstrate how my style has developed and progressed. They still form an important part of the ever growing image library. Arranged alphabetically by ORDER and FAMILY not by phylogeny. Illustrations created between 2017 - 2025. Colour illustrations featured here are hand painted with gouache on cotton rag. Black and white studies included produced with pigment liner or graphite.
ORDER: Charadriiformes
