*FRAMED* ORIGINAL ART – ‘Maggie’, Malleefowl

Description

‘Maggie’
Malleefowl
2020

Ink and watercolour
Art size: 570mm x 380mm
by Shannon Dwyer

‘Maggie’ was created with watercolours and detailed with a traditional nib and ink on 425gsm 100% cotton watercolour paper. This original artwork is hand-embossed with the ‘Shannon Dwyer Original’ authenticity seal and hand-penned signature validating it as an original artwork of Shannon Dwyer.

Shannon painted the unique Malleefowl after learning of its amazing dedication to the continual upkeep of its nest mound and how close they are to extinction. This awesome bird is basically a walking artwork in its own right, with beautifully patterned feathers and mottled earthy Australian tones – it was simply too tantilising for Shannon to resist!

20% of the profits from the sale of this artwork will be going to the Yongergnow Malleefowl Centre to help further the amazing conservation work they’re doing.

Pick up: FREE. Delivery: Quoted individually.

Malleefowl are an iconic bird belonging to the Australian bird species family ‘Megapodiidae’ (mound-building). Historically, they covered much of southern Australia, widespread in every mainland state except QLD, now they’re mostly limited to areas of inland semi-arid scrub. They’re considered to be particularly sensitive to climate change due to their very specific habitat requirements and low mobility, making them less adaptable than some other bird species. They prefer a dry environment with low-growing eucalypt trees/shrubs to aid them in building their nest mounds. Described as one of the world’s hardest working birds, Malleefowl spend up to 300 days a year digging and maintaining their nest mound, reaching dimensions of over 1 metre high and 4 metres wide!  The male works almost all day and night, regulating the temperature for the eggs. Once the chicks hatch they dig to the surface unaided, able to fend for themselves within a couple of hours. The main threat to Australia’s Malleefowl population has been habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture, mining, roads and inappropriate fire regimes. Introduced predators such as foxes and feral cats, together with competition for food resources with introduced herbivores (sheep, rabbits, cattle, goats) have also contributed to the species decline. The species is listed as Critically Endangered in the Northern Territory, Endangered in New South Wales and Victoria, Vulnerable in South Australia, and as Fauna That Is Rare Or Is Likely To Become Extinct in Western Australia.