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I don't need it to be "Spooky Season" to dress up. I spend my time drawing, then dressing up as my subjects—mostly birds, sometimes bugs, a bat, a fish...

I use a combination of my own clothes, vintage finds, homemade props, makeup, and styling to echo the wonder of nature. Sometimes daft, occasionally hilarious, but mostly beautiful, these looks have been featured in exhibitions and museums from Queer Britain to BBC's Winterwatch.

More info: birdscanflystore.com | Instagram | x.com | Facebook | tiktok.com | youtube.com

#1

Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos)

Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos)

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I use everything from clothes pegs to a wooden spoon, a bowl covered in fabric, a velvet curtain from Oxfam, or just that perfect jacket. I have made pom-poms and a patchwork corset, a papier-mâché crown, and an embroidered bib. Now that I've reached a milestone, I call these creations "Gentle References," and I've made 100 of them so far.

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    #2

    Andean Cock-Of-The-Rock (Rupicola Peruvianus) - With Home-Made Pom-Pom

    Andean Cock-Of-The-Rock (Rupicola Peruvianus) - With Home-Made Pom-Pom

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    #3

    Eurasian Coot (Fulica Atra) - With Painted Wooden Spoon, Face Adornment

    Eurasian Coot (Fulica Atra) - With Painted Wooden Spoon, Face Adornment

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    It's not just for fun—I use my illustrations to inform my research, which I post on my blog, Birds Can Fly. There, I reveal how I make my outfits and explore the history and cultural context of the creatures I draw.

    #4

    Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos)

    Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos)

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    #5

    Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Dryobates Nuttallii) - With Home Made Fascinator

    Nuttall’s Woodpecker (Dryobates Nuttallii) - With Home Made Fascinator

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    HighwaytoKell
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These are gorgeous! The eye look here also reminds me of a puffin.

    #6

    Domestic Pigeon (Columba Livia Forma Domestica)

    Domestic Pigeon (Columba Livia Forma Domestica)

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    Marissa D
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooooo, the way the tie and eyeshadow shimmer...........beautiful

    #7

    Amazonian Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus Coronatus) - With Papier-Mâché Crown

    Amazonian Royal Flycatcher (Onychorhynchus Coronatus) - With Papier-Mâché Crown

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    #8

    Pink Cockatoo (Lophochroa Leadbeateri) - With Paper Fascinator And Chocolate Coin Medal

    Pink Cockatoo (Lophochroa Leadbeateri) - With Paper Fascinator And Chocolate Coin Medal

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    Ali Sherlock
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    LOVE this!! I own one of these (Major Mitchell) their crest comes out like a native american head dress, different from other australian cockatoos

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    #9

    Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa Rubicunda)

    Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa Rubicunda)

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    #10

    Snowy Owl (Bubo Scandiacus)

    Snowy Owl (Bubo Scandiacus)

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    #11

    Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica Regulorum)

    Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica Regulorum)

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    #12

    Barn Owl (Tyto Alba)

    Barn Owl (Tyto Alba)

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    #13

    Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla Cedrorum)

    Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla Cedrorum)

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    #14

    Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum) - With Cardboard Face Adornment

    Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum) - With Cardboard Face Adornment

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    #15

    Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa Atalanta) - With Home Made Patchwork Quilt Corset

    Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa Atalanta) - With Home Made Patchwork Quilt Corset

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    #16

    Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma Pavo) - With Velvet Curtain Skirt

    Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma Pavo) - With Velvet Curtain Skirt

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    #17

    Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps Auritus) - With Pipe Cleaner Head Dress

    Slavonian Grebe (Podiceps Auritus) - With Pipe Cleaner Head Dress

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    #18

    European Nightjar (Caprimulgus Europaeus)

    European Nightjar (Caprimulgus Europaeus)

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    #19

    Xantus's Hummingbird (Basilinna Xantusii)

    Xantus's Hummingbird (Basilinna Xantusii)

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    #20

    Seven-Spot Ladybird (Coccinella Septempunctata) - With Paper Dots

    Seven-Spot Ladybird (Coccinella Septempunctata) - With Paper Dots

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    #21

    Northern Gannet (Morus Bassanus)

    Northern Gannet (Morus Bassanus)

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    #22

    Long-Wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus Penduliger) - With Fabric Covered Bowl

    Long-Wattled Umbrellabird (Cephalopterus Penduliger) - With Fabric Covered Bowl

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    #23

    Temminck's Tragopan (Tragopan Temminckii) - With Embroidered Bib

    Temminck's Tragopan (Tragopan Temminckii) - With Embroidered Bib

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    #24

    Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus Sasin)

    Allen's Hummingbird (Selasphorus Sasin)

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    #25

    Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos Major)

    Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos Major)

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    #26

    Arctic Tern (Sterna Paradisaea) - With Paper Collar

    Arctic Tern (Sterna Paradisaea) - With Paper Collar

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    #27

    Inca Tern (Larosterna Inca) - With Pasta Spoon Head Dress

    Inca Tern (Larosterna Inca) - With Pasta Spoon Head Dress

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    #28

    Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea)

    Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea)

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    #29

    Mourning Dove (Zenaida Macroura)

    Mourning Dove (Zenaida Macroura)

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    #30

    Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis Cardamines)

    Orange Tip Butterfly (Anthocharis Cardamines)

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    #31

    White Stork (Ciconia Ciconia)

    White Stork (Ciconia Ciconia)

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    100 Gentle References