Explore The Bird-Themed Murals Of Washington Heights

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — If you walk around Washington Heights long enough you'll likely see a mural depicting birds that one wouldn't expect to find in the New York City climate. The mural's aren't random, but instead are and homage to one of the neighborhood's historic residents.

The murals — known as the Audubon Bird Murals — are a tribute to famed American ornithologist John James Audubon, who also happens to the namesake of one of the neighborhood's main avenues. On Sept. 9, local arts group Heightsites.com will lead a two-hour walking tour that will teach participants the full history behind the paintings.

The $30 tour starts at Audubon's grave in the Trinity Church Cemetery and continues along the Audubon Mural Project between West 155th and 165th streets, according to organizers. The tour is led by local art historian Mary-Beth Shine who will answer questions about the paintings and the artists who created them.

John James Audubon spent his life attempting to paint every known species of bird in the United States. His work "Birds of America" — published in sections between 1827 and 1838 — still stands up as one of the best works of wildlife art. The book features more than 400 life-sized prints of different bird species, according to the National Audubon Society.

Get tickets for the walking tour here.

Photos courtesy Shutterstock.com