Each fall, anticipation builds for the annual reveal of the species selected to become the American Birding Association’s Bird of the Year. The bird is chosen to inspire and educate, to spark enthusiasm for birding, and to highlight a conservation challenge or success. Charisma and accessibility are often key traits of the bird chosen, so even a familiar bird can be seen through a new lens and appreciated in new ways. It’s a true celebration of birding and the birds all around us.

We also hope that our Bird of the Year will help us tell a story. About birds. About birding. About birders. About community. In the artistic and literary representation of that bird, we strive to feature a variety of artists, visions, and styles, thus reflecting the diversity of our world and our birdwatching family.

The ABA Bird of the Year Reveal Party is an opportunity for ABA staff, board, members, and the general public to connect over our shared passion for birds and birding, to show the world the great work the American Birding Association has been doing, and to share exciting new projects we have in the pipeline. This year, the event will include an additional set of bird walks in the Nashville metropolitan area to provide more time celebrating birds and birding together. And finally, we are honored to have the artist, Liz Clayton Fuller, as our guest to reveal her amazing artwork in person at this worldwide premiere.

We hereby extend a warm invitation to you, and hope you will celebrate the reveal of the ABA’s 2023 Bird of the Year with us in person on December 10, 2022 at Warner Park Nature Center in Nashville, Tennessee, or watch a live stream of the event here or on our YouTube channel, Facebook, or Twitter.

Hey y’all, I’m Liz Clayton Fuller. I’m an artist born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. As far back as I can remember I have loved two things most of all: art and nature. I combined my two great passions and became a scientific illustrator, fine artist, and educator specializing in birds. I have created and taught classes for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, illustrated field guides, illustrated educational outreach materials, and painted visuals for scientific papers.

I came to my love of birds later in my life, and it happened through art. No one in my family was a birder growing up, although we always spent time outdoors. When I painted my first few birds, I simply painted them because I thought they were beautiful. I quickly realized in addition to being a fascinating subject matter, they are all around us! I would walk to class and hear birds singing in the trees and wonder who they were. I painted them to learn more about them, so my passion snowballed from there. I’m absolutely enamored with both the familiarity of my backyard birds and the variety of birds throughout the world. Birds are such an accessible form of wildlife: they coexist with humans in a way that no other animals can. They are an endless source of inspiration for me, so varied in their appearance and behavior, I adore them. 

I document each of my subjects with the wonder of first discovery and attempt to convey my awe of the natural world in each painting. My hope is that my art will inspire others to connect with nature in a profound way just as I have through my paintings. I love to paint birds accurately for my scientific illustrations, and sometimes I like to add a little yeehaw to them for my personal portfolio. Whether I’m painting birds for field guides or putting cowboy hats and boots on them, I strive to provide folks with a new perspective on bird life while sparking awe and joy.

I’m beyond honored to have painted the Bird of the Year for 2023 and I can’t wait to share it with you! I put a piece of myself in every painting I create and I think y’all are going to love it.

You can find my work at: https://lizclaytonfuller.com or on Instagram / Twitter / Twitch: @ipaintbirbs (yep, birbs!)

WPNC is a Metro Parks of Nashville-Davidson County-operated environmental education center. Family-friendly and admission-free, it offers free programs, school field trips and high school labs, outdoor recreation programs and activities, resources for organic gardening and native plant landscaping, and public events throughout the year for individuals, groups, and people of all ages.

Evidence of the power of public-private collaboration, The Warner Parks Nature Center was built through a private capital campaign and government partnership, expanding the vital educational aspects of the Warner Parks and becoming a premiere institution of environmental education.

Covid-19 vaccination policy for ABA travel and events

Until further notice, people ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to participate in any and all ABA travel and events. The purpose of this policy is to help prevent COVID-19 transmission and safeguard the health and safety of our participants, staff, volunteers, guests, and the community at large.