Title: Compassion and Contempt, King Vulture

Size: 12 inches wide by 17 inches high

Medium: Giclee Fine Art Print of original Ink Drawing

Paper: Hahnemuhle photo rag paper

Authentic: Signed by artist Andrew Naeger

Part of an ongoing series of bird portraits inspired by people I know, personalities I love or the nature of people and mannerisms I observe. One of my goals beyond documenting birds in my own style to bring attention to nature, the wild species of this world and the importance of their habitats, but also draw out similarities in comparisons to humans. Bringing the two closer together. This bird feels so punk and so special that I didn’t need a specific human to compare, but a style. This portrait is unique in this way as most in this series are about a specific human and bird matching.

Each portrait in this series take 1 to 3 months to complete. The line styles and patterns change based on not only the genetics of the bird, but their personality I’m also trying to capture. Non are technical drawings per se, but feel close to nature. If you study close you will find some purposeful differences, especially in the eyes. Most to be more rounded to feel more human save a few examples.

I’m choosing not disclose the personal connection to this specific drawing. Mystery needs to surround this drawing as the compatible human is mysterious in operation. One whom can hold compassion and contempt. This is an incredible species and I am especially fond of the process and in times frustrated by the details and attention needed to complete. Like most of these portraits, they eyes say a lot about the mood before you where details come to life upon live viewing.

This vulture lives predominantly in tropical lowland forests stretching from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. It is the only surviving member of the genus Sarcoramphus, although fossil members are known.

Large and predominantly white, the king vulture has gray to black ruff, flight, and tail feathers. The head and neck are bald, with the skin color varying, including yellow, orange, blue, purple, and red. The king vulture has a very noticeable orange fleshy caruncle on its beak. This vulture is a scavenger and it often makes the initial cut into a fresh carcass. It also displaces smaller New World vulture species from a carcass. King vultures have been known to live for up to 30 years in captivity.

King vultures were popular figures in the Mayan codices as well as in local folklore and medicine. Although currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, they are decreasing in number, due primarily to habitat loss.

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