Geocolaptes olivaceus (Ground woodpecker) Possibly 1778

This watercolor illustration by Robert Jacob Gordon depicts a Geocolaptes olivaceus, also known as a ground woodpecker. The bird is depicted in detailed accuracy against a simple backdrop of a tree branch, highlighting the subject and its intricate plumage. Gordon, a Dutch artist and explorer, traveled extensively through South Africa, creating detailed renderings of the region's flora and fauna. His work is a valuable record of the region's natural world, particularly for the period of his exploration in the late 18th century. This meticulous rendering of the Ground Woodpecker exemplifies Gordon's talent for capturing detail.