Colius colius ? (White-backed mousebird) Possibly 1777 - 1786

Robert Jacob Gordon, a prolific 18th-century artist, created this detailed watercolor of a White-backed Mousebird, likely sometime between 1777 and 1786. The bird is depicted perched on a branch, its delicate gray plumage rendered with careful precision. This meticulous attention to detail exemplifies Gordon's commitment to scientific observation, making his work valuable for ornithological studies. The artwork's inscription "muis vogel. het mannetje" identifies the subject as a male mousebird, adding to the piece's scientific value.