Clamator jacobinus (Jacobin cuckoo) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon, a prominent 18th-century artist, created this detailed watercolor of a Jacobin cuckoo. The depiction highlights the bird's distinctive black plumage, white patch on its wing, and long, elegant tail. Gordon's meticulous style, characteristic of the period, captures the bird's natural grace and intricate details. This artwork showcases the artist's fascination with ornithology and his skill in rendering the beauty and diversity of the natural world. The Jacobin cuckoo, native to Africa, is a striking species with an elongated crest and a prominent white patch on the wings, which are accurately captured in this remarkable piece.