This was a request from my colleague Amy, who was inspired by a kestrel conservation project near her home in Virginia. The project was made possible through the joint efforts of Thistlerock Farm, a regenerative farm, apiary, and meadery, and the citizen-science organization Soldiers2Scientists.

While kestrels do not directly interact with bees, they help protect pollinator habitats by preying on animals that can disrupt healthy ecosystems. American kestrels feed on rodents such as mice and voles, which damage flowering plants and crops, as well as large insects including grasshoppers, crickets, and some beetles that can defoliate vegetation and reduce the abundance of nectar- and pollen-producing flowers. By naturally keeping these pest populations in check, kestrels help maintain the diverse flowering landscapes that bees depend on for food.

This was a request by Kish Lal. They are known for their long legs, distinctive crest of feathers, and their unique hunting style of stomping prey, especially venomous snakes to death. They also kill it shoe-wise with their unique fashion sense.

This was a suggestion by Ariel Ruff to support Mo-vember, an annual event in November that raises awareness and funds for men's health issues. encouraging men to grow moustaches (or "mo's") to spark conversations. This tern is a natural fit.

This was inspired by a post from The Charlie Brown Bird Rescue Inc. Her name is Izzy. They don’t know much history on her. They were told that she’s 18 years old. She came from a rough situation. She’s sweet and friendly and they have been improving her diet and helping her heal.

In the past this little hummingbird has been assessed as threatened but since 2004 their numbers have increased. Maybe the new outfit is helping.

We’re putting next year’s calendar together and I like to draw certain birds for my favorite holidays. This will be in October for Halloween □ This guy includes some of my favorite Pacific NW birds.

This was inspired by a post from The Charlie Brown Bird Rescue Inc. Her name is Izzy. They don’t know much history on her. They were told that she’s 18 years old. She came from a rough situation. She’s sweet and friendly and they have been improving her diet and helping her heal.

This was inspired by a post by Ellen Fisher. They are known for their loud, laugh-like calls and aerial jousting fights where they clash casques.

In the pursuit of prey a goshawk can be reckless, fearless, and relentless, willing to chase its quarry at length through dense woods, into seemingly impenetrable thickets. This a rare glimpse of one resting after a hard day.

They are self-sufficient foragers feasting on ticks as well as many other insects (their tick feasting helps prevent Lyme disease, May is Lyme disease awareness month. A terrible disease that my wife is battling right now). They are also incredibly noisy and act as a "watchdog" system, raising an alarm at the sight of predators or visitors. This is the rare pigeon toed variety.

This tiny, colorful songbird found in the high-altitude scrublands and forests of Central Asia. This is a rare glimpse of one using his Dads old skates.

They are bizarre hybrid creatures frequently found in the doodles in the margins of 13th–15th century monk manuscripts. Which sounds like I made it up but it’s true. My school books margins were full of doodles which means I now have something in common with monks.

They are a striking, long-legged wading bird found in shallow wetlands and known for their unique fashion sense.

I was talking with my neighbor Tim and he asked if I could hear a certain bird’s song. It was a hutton’s vireo, not a frequent visitor to my neighborhood. I added the shoes of Sharon, another neighbor. I added the wool socks since it’s early spring and still quite cold out.

These roosters are graceful and stylish. They are used primarily as an exhibition breed. After a long day on the exhibition circuit they enjoy putting on cozy slippers and relaxing.

My newest, a Tiger heron in orange boots. From what I could find out the bare throated tiger heron fluffs it’s feathers out like this during courtship. I liked the orange boots because it’s gives him a stylish look which should help with his courting.

I’m constantly amazed at the beautiful chickens I had no idea existed. Thank you Rod for suggesting this one. I put this one in his wife’s favorite cowboy boots by his request (great husband move).

This is in the group because I figure every bird in shoes group needs at least one unicorn.

Steller’s jay in punk boots. I drew this in honor of the Steller’s Jays that visit my house. I put this one in punk boots because like many punks are known for being a bold and aggressive species. They are related to the common blue jay and are frequently found scavenging in campgrounds, picnic areas and my yard.

Quail In Rain Boots

Merganser In Duck Boots

Also called a Conehead Mantis, is a striking, slender praying mantis found in warm Mediterranean, African, and Western Asian regions. Known for its delicate pink or green hues and distinct horn-like crest, it uses camouflage to blend into dry vegetation, acting as an efficient ambush predator. Here it’s doing its own interpretation of the Cambre’ Back pose.

This was a request by Jane Whitteaker Harrah. I love watching the little chickadees in my yard. This is a black capped chickadee. They are cavity-nesters, using old woodpecker holes or nest boxes which also serve to store their shoe collection.

This was inspired by a post by Gretchen Stevenson. A rare golden penguin is a king penguin with striking yellow plumage, not black and white, caused by a genetic condition called leucism which reduces melanin but leaves yellow pigments, making it a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. This unique anomaly has odds estimated at around 1 in 30,000. Even more rare when they wear matching oxfords.

My friend Rick Dewitt requested a bird featuring prosthetics. He recently received a prosthetic leg because he said he was being too sweet. He suggested a blue parrot with a peg leg sitting on a yardarm. It was a fun one to draw.

This was a request by my wonderful neighbor Stephana. While they originated in the Indian subcontinent, they have since been introduced to many other parts of the world. Peafowl are forest birds that nest on the ground, but roost in trees which explains all the shoes found on the ground near trees.

This was a request by Marit Federcell. She was inspired by a Buddhist story that touches her deeply, A Sparrow's Song to Lift up the Sky. In the story a sparrow heard that the sky was falling, and while all the other creatures fled, she asked herself, 'What can I do? I'm just a sparrow.' But then, in a flash of brilliance, she lay on her back, pointing her tiny feet towards the sky. 'What are you doing, Little Sparrow?' the others asked. 'Well, I've heard the sky is falling, and so I'm d

This was a request by my sister in law Lisa. I love their feet so I couldn’t put shoes on them. Then I discovered how colorful their babies (cootlets) are so I couldn’t resist adding one. Plus I laughed every time I look at one.

Its nickname is the sea parrot because of its brightly colored bill. They are purely aquatic birds until they are three, living entirely as marine animals returning to shore only to breed on the nesting cliffs where they hatched. The water shoes protect them from the sharp cliff rocks.

Killdeer are known for their impressive ability to fake injuries to distract predators and protect their nests. This behavior, called a distraction display, is used when a predator approaches their nest which is often on the ground and not well protected.

Many birdwatchers track the first bird seen on January 1st, believing it sets the theme for the year, with different species symbolizing different themes. I picked robins because they symbolize Love, Renewal and New Beginnings.

Conures are cute little parrots. These are pineapple sided green cheek conjures and their names are Penelope and Skittles. This was a special request Christmas present for member Shelly Coe from her amazing husband. I drew them together because they spend a lot of time preening and cuddling with each other.

In the Warmun community in Western Australia, an Aboriginal tradition features a figure named Wangkarnal, the Gija word for crow, who is a dark, scary bird that delivers gifts to children on Christmas. It is said that a fight broke out between the crow and the eagle because the crow was lazy and never went hunting. During the fight the eagle struck the crow with hot coals, and that's how Wangkarnal got the white marks around his eyes. For some reason he decided to start giving gifts to children after that.

This was inspired by a post by Helga Bluestone. Also called the wattled pheasant, it is a shy, elusive species with an attraction to vintage high heels.

This was inspired by Ellen Fisher. This poisonous songbird is a bird native to the tropical rainforests of New Guinea. The hooded pitohu is one of few birds that are known to be poisonous so they often wear these shoes as a warning to predators.

This was a request by Susie Marks. This magpie is found within a relatively small range primarily in the center of California. They were almost lost to West Nile virus, but are finally bouncing back. She is happy that a flock frequents her yard in West Sacramento. They are bold, beautiful birds, striking in color and pattern, and seem to have a sense of humor. They tease her dogs with low swoops and loud chatter and provide quite a bit of entertainment as well as eating the bugs in her garden. She looks forward to seeing them each morning!

This was a request by Candy Ring for her pet chicken Gambit. His breed is the tallest chickens in the world. Gambit is only a little over 21 weeks old. He is a very sweet, laid back and curious bird that can be very affectionate. Given his height I decided on basketball shoes. As far as I known he hasn’t signed with any team in the Poultry league yet.

This was inspired by my friend Rachelle Farrar Lane. This lark is known for its distinctive black "horns" (feather tufts). I picked these high-tops because I was fascinated to learn they have been seen eating mushrooms including those with psychoactive properties with documented cases of birds exhibiting very strange behavior afterwards.

This was a request from my friend Susan Mudd Powell as a gift for her friend Catherine. Edith the hen would have coffee with Catherine each morning and would always get in her lap or on her shoulder. She had quite the personality and she loved Catherine. She recently died in Catherine’s arms.

This drawing was inspired by Marthe Taylor’s boot suggestion. Avocets throughout the breeding season engage in a series of copulatory displays, which is initiated by either sex and often involves preening which includes cleaning , arranging, maintain their feathers and boot selection.

This little bird is inconspicuous until it opens its bill and gives its unmistakable slurred call: pee-a-wee or when the song Tequila comes on. The shoes are a nod to me being a big Peewee Herman fan.

This was a request by Lisa Bane. Her mom is turning 80 next January and she loves bunnies, and wears Sloggers when she works in her garden. Lisa says she’s the most awesome person, and has always been her rock, especially these last few years.

This was a special request from my niece Rachel for her niece Cole. She just graduated from University of Texas in Dallas. She is an avid softball player and from what I’ve heard a great niece.

They are a species of hummingbird from the "coquettes" tribe. This was a request from my wife, Brenda, my coquette. She loves hummingbirds and fairies. She has even built many fairy houses in the woods that surround our house.

This was inspired by a post by my brother Terry. I loved that it was designated a Japanese National Natural Treasure in 1952, the same year Terry was born (His birthday is June 24th). The saddle shoes were a nod to their peak popularity in the 1950s. They became popular with these roosters when they were incorporated into eclectic Japanese street styles, especially within the vibrant Harajuku fashion scene.

According to Native American folklore, the white ibis is the last bird to seek shelter before a hurricane, and the first to emerge afterwards. It was therefore seen as a symbol of optimism. Very little is known about their difficulties with lacing shoes.

Caracaras symbolize balance, that while it's vital to work hard in life, you mustn't forget to make time for yourself and those you hold dear. The boots were inspired by the Mexican pointy boots/tribal boots. These were even included in a museum exhibit in Australia and in the Archive Store in Tokyo.

They are sometimes called Soco beija-flor, meaning 'hummingbird heron', thanks to its unique coloration pattern. They often stand very still in the water, or moving very slowly waiting to feast on surface-swimming fish. They will sometimes miss catching a fish due to admiring their own stylish colorful shoes.

A very unique looking bird given its hair like feathers, size, wattle and casque (the tuft on its head). The purpose of the casque is not completely understood, but several theories suggest it can help amplify vocalizations during stage performances.

They are fearless predators capable of tackling birds more than twice their size. With its small stature, tuftless head, and long tail, this species can be mistaken for a songbird, but small birds know the difference—they noisily mob this owl, especially when it gives its persistent tooting song. The shoes help keep the song bird mob at bay.

This was a special request from Josh in the UK for his wife Kristy as a gift for when their new baby was to be born. She is a fan of my drawings and he wanted to surprise her. He picked each of their favorite birds and running shoes (luckily both birds are about the same height). She just delivered a healthy boy called Remy and she is over the moon according to Josh.

They have proportionally large heads, red eyes, a black cap and hooked bills. They have finely barred black and white bodies so they tend to be attracted to bright shoes in order to offset all the black and white. A favorite shoe color being red to match their eyes.

I’ve been enjoying hearing and seeing them in my yard lately. The Oxford Sneakers are a hand me down from one of his more stylish cousins.

Ravens symbolize creation, transformation, and the complexity of nature. They are also known as healers and "keepers of secrets". One of their best kept secrets is their love of ballet. They are often hidden in special locations to practice away from prying eyes.

Because the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts, and the eagle the king of the birds, by the Middle Ages, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. They were known for guarding treasures and priceless possessions like expensive sneakers.

Known for their distinctive reddish crest that is often paired with matching shoes. Although some birds think it’s way too matchy-matchy.

Recent research on the species, Velociraptor mongoliensis, has found that Velociraptor was a feathered dinosaur. Little research has been done on their footwear but some fossil beds have shown what looks to be slide type sandals.

This was commissioned by Linda Shelby as a gift for her Investment Advisor (Dan) of Peregrine Asset Advisers and he fancies wearing these cowboy boots. These birds are incredible, when they enter a hunting dive called a stoop, they can reach up to 200 to 240 miles per hour! This makes them one of the fastest animals on the planet. This guy is a bit slower because the boots cause some drag.

This was a suggestion by Rachael Gardner from the Older Artist group. It's the biggest member of the pelican family and possibly the world's largest freshwater bird which makes it very hard to find waders in their size.

The catbird symbolizes adaptability and resourcefulness. They reflect the bird's ability to mimic various sounds and its adaptability to different environments. Their most famous call, and the one for which they are named, is a very catlike meow sound. The shoes were inspired by a post by @kobilevidesign.

When I visited the Tampa Zoo I was fascinated by how they sit and immediately pictured them wearing yellow Mary Janes. Storks are said to symbolize peace, happiness, fertility, birth and rebirth.

Birds and frogs" is a metaphor used to describe the need for both focused and visionary thinking in solving complex problems: Birds Soar above and focus on broad concepts that unify problems. Frogs Live in the mud and focus on the details of individual objects, solving problems one at a time. I picked a mockingbird because they mimic the sounds of frogs and toads.

This was a request from my best friend in high school, Brad Osborn. I have some wonderful memories. One of my favorites is listening to Happy Together from the Turtles over and over with our other friends in my basement. The meadowlark is the state bird of Nebraska. The red sneakers are a nod to University of Nebraska. The Huskers are very popular with meadowlarks.

This was a request from Samantha Balough for her Mom. She lives on Lake Murray in Lexington, SC and every July, they watch the Purple Martins come to roost at Bomb Island. It’s a massive flock of birds on a migratory pit stop as they head towards South America! It really is a sight to behold and is a cherished memory for their family.

This was a request by Autumn Hawkins for her Dad, Mike, that passed away 4 1/2 years ago. The cardinal because seeing a cardinal is considered a sign that a loved one who has passed away is trying to communicate with you, bringing comfort and a sense of connection. The hat and boots because he went through a Stetson Man phase but continued to wear the cologne which his wife loved. He helped anyone he could, friends, neighbors, family, strangers. He is greatly missed by all.

He’s getting ready for the new year. Baby chicks are notorious for not handling change well.

This was a request from a neighbor for his niece whose favorite bird lately is the Cooper Hawk. It is a skilled and strong raptor that can literally hunt and eat birds mid-flight. The bird represents her resilience and adaptability. She is a cancer survivor that performs gigs as a violinist in country western bars. Generally I love Cooper’s hawks unless they are sitting on my roof looking for little birds in my feeder.

This Punk Rock Quail, has listened to hundreds of punk rock albums while relaxing with Fred and Jess, the other members of her “flock". Although she never attended any punk shows, she’s ready to mosh with her feathers in true punk rock fashion. She sadly passed away recently at the age of 9 ½ years old. She will be remembered as the sassiest but sweetest bird by all who met and loved her.

The wren is the emblem of the Holly King, who dies to bring back the light and the new year. In Ireland, the wren is considered the "King of the Birds" and is celebrated on Wren Day, which is celebrated on December 26th. Wren feathers are thought to bring good luck, especially for sailors, not so much for the bird though.

A special commission by Shelly @shelevator for her new husband, Addison @addvision : a barred owl (his favorite bird for its regal and stealthy nature) rocking his running shoes and Scorpio necklace. At their wedding this April, they shared two of their favorite activities—bird watching and running—and now he’s training for a 100-mile ultra-marathon, something he never imagined before the two met. This piece captures his unique style and inspiring personality- things Shelly loves celebrating about him.

This was a commission by Jesse D. Moore for his friends Emma and Jack that were just married. He wanted a wedding present that incorporated some of their favorite things. What a great friend.

This is commercially the most widely used breed of domesticated turkey. This special chef breed recommends a nice roast beef for this years Thanksgiving dinner.

Although not much larger than house sparrows they sometimes take prey up to three times their own size. Even though they are ferocious hunters, they are known to have some height insecurities so they tend to pick shoes to compensate.

This was inspired by a post my wife sent me. This rare pigeon breed famous for its odd, almost alien-like appearance, with bulging eyes and a short beak. They’ve been selectively bred for their tumbling ability and can even somersault backwards while in flight.

This was a request by Cindy Grieves for her husband He is a combat veteran who received a Purple Heart and loves eagles. As an added bonus I got to use my very worn old combat boots as a model.

This was a request by Casandra Koelle. She loves the lyrics to a song that makes her heart overflow: Skyline Pigeon by Bernie Taupin and Elton John and she wanted boots that screamed Elton. We added his favorite glasses to complete the overall look.

Also called Madagascar pygmy kingfisher. They sit motionless for long periods before darting after prey, most often frogs except during trick or treating on Halloween, then it’s gummy worms.

The eagle and shoe suggestion came from my brother Terry. Harpy eagles are the largest and most powerful eagles in the world, with talons the size of grizzly bear claws and beaks that can break mammal bones. After a day of snatching prey from tree branches they enjoy relaxing in comfortable shoes.

This was a request by my wonderful daughter Katelyn. She picked it because it’s a beautiful bird and that it reminded her of an amazing trip we had to Southeast Asia a number of years ago where the bird is native. She chose the shoes because she loves the combination of beauty and simplicity and they are her favorite shoes.

This was a special birthday request by Kris Wells for their sweetheart, Hayden. This bird is a representation of their electric car, named Pidge. In their imagination they see Pidge wearing chaps or these vintage cow-print cuties, depending on their mood of the moment. This pigeon breed is known for its unique performance of turning somersaults on the ground.

This was a suggestion from my sister Lita. The bluebird is said to be a messenger of joy and optimism, this little bird has had quite a large impact on human cultures and imaginations. The pearls and chucks are a nod to Kamala Harris.

With a unicorn-like horn and an echoing cry, the horned screamer is unlike any other bird. It can be spotted near the wetlands of South America, living in small communities of its own species. The shoes are to support his unicorn dreams.

This was a request from Denise Gillen. The reason she asked me to illustrate a 'Sloth in Shoes', is because she was a full-time volunteer for several years at the Toucan Rescue Ranch in Costa Rica. While there, she worked almost exclusively, with the orphaned sloths in their very successful sloth rescue and release program. Every October, they put on the very entertaining Sloth Ironman Games, which helps them raise money to keep the rescue going. She thought I would enjoy coming up with something fun, related to these very slow, shy animals who spend their whole life hidden up in the tree canopy. If you notice the green in the fur, Sloths have a mutualistic ectosymbiotic relationship with the ecosystem growing on their backs. The fungi, algae, and moths greatly benefit from this relationship as they have a habitat to thrive in. The sloth benefits because these organisms are key to the sloth's best defense against predators – camouflage. Plus the green highlights their red sneakers.

This was a suggestion by Matthew Campos. The male has a bright red throat pouch (called a gular) that he blows up like a balloon to attract mates. He likes to draw additional attention by matching his shoes with his gular.

I was inspired to do this in preparation for next year’s Birds in Shoes calendar for October. Witches and crows go together like potions and cauldrons. Since the days of pointy hats, crows have been helping witches with everything from mail delivery to fashion advice.

This was a request by Kieth Halperin my chiropractor and friend. Sadly this beautiful bird is now extinct due to feather and egg collection, habitat loss, the pet trade and the parakeet's social behavior. It was one of only three parrot species native to the United States. Quite the fashion sense for an extinct bird.

This was a request for a long term friend and Birds in Shoes fan Lisa Crawford Dubuque from her nephew in law, James. This is her little dog Frankie. The boots are to honor Lisa's Mom who just passed away last year. She wore Doc Martens up until her mid 80s. What a sweet gift.

This was suggested by Kyle Weiss. I love what he said about them: “They look like unhinged dinosaurs with wing claws as babies and turn into beautiful wacky turkey lookin things! And they use fermentation as a digestive system like cows do!”

This little robin is from the Izu islands of Japan. The Oiran shoes were worn by the highest-ranking courtesans in Japanese history. They were known for their more refined entertainment skills and training in the traditional arts. The Izu robins often wear them to show themselves as a higher-ranking compared to the mainland Japanese robins.

This was a request by Shelly Davis from Australia. These beautiful birds are very common there. They are very friendly. This is in honor of her girl Pudakins that passed away not long ago.

I was fascinated by these skates. The whooping crane is the tallest bird in North America so it would fit the skates and I could imagine it making its whooping call while skating.

This was a request by Lisa Crawford Dubuque for her 7yr old grand niece. I thought this was a great choice given this bird is most closely associated with opportunity and new possibilities. It inspires you to seize your desires and never give up on your dreams. She picked the shoes because her Mom is getting her some.

This was a request by Susan LaMedica for her son, Nick. He is "Zazu" in Broadway's "THE LION KING." He just finished a run in New York City on Broadway, and is now back on the National Tour.

They are also called bone eating vultures because they are known to thrive on a diet consisting primarily of bones. They were formerly believed to carry off human children and because of this were often hunted which has led to population loss. However there was no justification for this fear as they have not shown hostility towards living humans. They just look tough because of their fashion choices.

Gentoo penguins know a good pebble when they see one. Scooping them up in their beaks, they carry them to their partner; a gift that acknowledges the relationship between the two penguins and helps grow the nest for their budding family. I just learned that there are some female penguins who just exchange sex for nice rocks. There is also a rare breed called “Stripper Penguins” that have been observed performing the mating dance but not putting out and still getting nice rocks.

This was a suggestion by Sheena Hagood. They would visit her and get into wing to wing combat at her feeders. She said they are badasses that migrate all the way from Mexico up the coast to lower Alaska.

They are found in subtropical and tropical habitats in the Americas. This bald-headed wading bird stands just over 3 feet tall and has an attraction for show stopping over the knee fashion boots which may partially explain why they are revered in Greek, Chinese, and European mythologies as good luck and harbingers of spring and birth.

At two feet tall, this is the world's smallest species of stork. Hamerkop hold the record for building the largest roofed nests, which may measure up to 6.5 feet wide, 6.5 feet deep and over 100 pounds. When leaving their nest to go out on the town they prefer vintage Winklepicker shoes and given their skinny legs need garters to keep their socks up.

This was a request from my favorite person, my wife Brenda. They are found mostly in dense reed beds in Eurasia. I was fascinated by their natural habit of perching on tree branches and reeds by doing the splits. The shoes are a nod to the splits being an informal term for a ballet position called grand ecarté a la quatrieme, which translates roughly to big blown-apart 4th position.

These are tiny neat, even flashy little sparrows that flit about forest floors of the western mountains and Canada. Those with size insecurities are often seen wearing lifts similar to those worn by Humphrey Bogart during his scenes with Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca.

I usually find birds I like and then figure out shoes that fit but I heard about roach killer shoes (once popular with juvenile delinquent rock 'n' rollers in the 1950s) that are good for killing roaches when they run into corners. Crested pigeons felt right. They are highly social Australian birds known for their hatred of roaches.

This was a request by Kathy Conroy for her son and daughter-in-law, both Marine officers. They got engaged on the beach at Carlsbad by Camp Pendleton where she is stationed. Just after he proposed a local surfer approached to offer congratulations and pointed out an Osprey flying around overhead. He said it was meaningful as he surfs that location regularly and has never seen one beachside as their habitat is on the lagoon side. In many places, sighting one is said to symbolizes good luck.

They’re famous for being monogamous, meaning they mate for life. Because of this, the creature has become a symbol of love and fidelity. The high heeled flippers are a nod to their sense of style.

I picked a swallow for 2024 because they are seen as a symbol of good luck and new life. I picked pink for the boots because pink represents friendship, affection, harmony, inner peace, compassion, nurturing and approachability. Wishing all of you a swallow and pink new year.

This was request by Alex Yarbrough for her beloved Sunshine. She was her best friend growing up. She enjoyed flying all over the house and even outside. She loved sneaking some of her Fruit loops cereal.

Happy and/or Merry Holiday Season

This was a request by Nancy Norwood for her husband’s birthday. He has been attacked multiple times by an owl while out for his daily runs, which has since become quite humorous & entertaining for them. The shoes are because he is a big Oregon Ducks fan. I think it’s cool that owls and ducks often mate for life so this combination makes a great gift for a mate.

I had many people suggest I do a bird on a stripper pole. I found out that very tall high heels are often called flamingos so it was easy to pick a flamingo to grace the pole.

This was a request for Lauren Lawler for her daughter Wren (her nickname is Wrenegade). The wren is easily recognized by its upward pointing tail and darting flight. They are shy and secretive by nature.and hard to spot because they are so tiny. The best way to find one is to listen for its loud musical trills, scolding clicks or look for brightly colored shoe laces. The shoes are a nod to Wren’s favorite shoes.

They spend most of their time on the ground foraging for seeds and insects, staying close to cover and retreating quickly if they’re alarmed The shoes are to support this little finch’s flamingo dreams.

This was a request by my niece Tina. She has 2 quail brothers (nicknamed The Bobz) that she raised from babies. The mortality rate was 85% from a bevy of 11. These 2 brothers survived and triumphed! They have a special place in her heart as they are the first to greet her in the morning with their special sound of chattering. The joggers are a tribute to her Dad for the childhood memories of growing up at the local Skate City. The hummingbird on the skates is to honor her Grandma, my wonderful Mom. ❤️

I’m in the Halloween spirit so this popped into my head. Not a bird but close. Happy Halloween!

This was a request by Debra Olson. This bird is adorned with a crest that reminded me of a jester which explains the shoes. On a more practical note the crest is thought to be used in mate attraction as it is larger in males.

This is what happens when people let their iguanas run loose in Hawaii. I like to draw something out of the ordinary for Halloween. Happy Halloween!

This was a request by Cindy Grieve. It’s North America's littlest falcon. The American kestrel packs a predator's fierce intensity into its small body. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors and is know for its fashion sense.

For some reason when I saw it the first thought was to draw it as an English school boy. It’s the tallest breed of fancy pigeons with some of the biggest ones being 16 inches in height. Although there are all kinds of Pouters with different distinct physical shapes and markings, they all share the common trait of being able to inflate their crop and how they strut around in their school shoes.

This was a request from Elecia White. I found it interesting that it nests on the ground but is a fantastic flier, and spends a good amount of time in the air. In fact, it eats flying – it catches and eats insects on the wing – and even drinks flying by scooping up water from the surface of lakes and rivers. They only tend to wear shoes while nesting on the ground for obvious reasons.

We’ve had many Steller’s Jays visiting our yard lately. At first we thought their mouths were open to say “Feed me” but found out that’s how they regulate their internal temperature during these hot days. Birds don’t have sweat glands, so opening their beak allows for heat to escape from the body. So much for believing we were their surrogate parents. The inspiration for this one we call Junior. He stood out from the rest because of his Rockabilly footwear.

We have lots of bunnies running around our neighborhood and a little neighbor boy asked me to draw a baby bunny for him. Serendipitously a baby bunny has been hanging around our yard this week for inspiration.

This was a request by Heather Benjamin. The hens name is Margaret. She spends her days free ranging on their property in Oregon. Heathers daughter is turning 15 soon and this is her favorite hen and her favorite shoes are black high tops. Heather’s excited to surprise her! A special thanks to my niece Haley’s best friend Emma for being the shoe model.

This was a request on Instagram from the individuals working at getting the Belted Kingfisher to be the official mascot for the University of Illinois. So far it’s passed the campus and faculty vote because of the birds uniqueness and the school colors being blue and orange. She would be stepping into the shoes of the former mascot that was retired nearly 17 years ago.

I drew this for my little 7 month old granddaughter Camden. I’m sure I’m bias but I think she’s the cutest little girl ever.

This was inspired by a picture of a crow stealing false teeth posted in the Birds in Shoes group awhile ago. The boots are a nod to my childhood in the 50s. I mostly like it because it makes me laugh.

This was a special request from Joni Holmes. She saw the scrimshaw bunny I did and asked if I would draw Spooks for her. He is a Flemish giant and French lop mix. She said he’s an amazing rabbit who is super smart and very personable. He is her best friend and says he rescued her 4 years ago. I love his blue and brown eyes, they really compliment his favorite shoes.

These tiny Amazonian birds use their brilliant, colorful plumage as a show of display during courtship rituals, after mating, while preening, in competition with other mates over breeding or territory, or while being handled. So I guess basically a lot of the time.

The male has a breeding plumage that includes head tufts that I think look like Mickey Mouse ears which explains the shoes. I also like his nubby yellow orange facial skin and his large collar of ornamental feathers that inspired this bird's English name.

I was inspired to draw Stanley after seeing a post of him from the Nashville Zoo. They were kind enough to send me several photos of him. The boots are a nod on the little known history of the impact rhinoceros hornbills had on the old west.

This was a special request from Michele Therien. I’ve never drawn a skunk but I was fascinated by her request for a spotted skunks. Like all skunks, they produce a nasty-smelling spray, however, spotted skunks also do a flashy handstand on their front legs as an extra warning in order to appear larger and to display their markings to warn predators before they spray. They’ve been called the acrobats of the skunk world.

True to its name, they frequent rocky cliffs and ravines where they build their nests.

This was a request by Jessi and Samantha Allen for her pet Muscovy, Jerry. I found it interesting that they don’t quack, they hiss. Jerry is not as warty as most Muscovy and has more fashion sense.

I drew this for all my Canadian friends. We used to live on a lake that had many Canadian geese visitors. They were beautiful birds but I was constantly amazed by how big their poop was.

This was a special request from my good friend Jen Hamelman for her saxophone playing nephew who just turned 16. Not a bird in shoes, just a barefoot distant cousin.

This was a special request by a member of the Birds in shoes group to celebrate her sister and husbands 50th wedding anniversary. Their family is celebrating with a trip to Costa Rica. The hiking shoes symbolize the many trails they have hiked all around the world.

I thought the phoenix was a good symbol for us as we move into the new year. Many of us have had some very challenging years and this mythical bird symbolizes new life by rising from the ashes of its predecessor.

This was a special request by Chris Reeves for his wife to remember their time stationed in Germany. The magpie was one of the first birds they encountered on their ride to their new home. It was such a striking bird. The shoes are a classic Bavarian shoe to remember their travels throughout Germany and into Bavaria. The Edelweiss is to remember their holidays in Southern Germany.

I did this to enter an Instagram competition by #evaboneva. I used the body of a brown thrasher. It was fun blending the bunny with the bird. Luckily brown thrashers are known for hanging out with bunnies.

He lives in the Tracy Aviary. Helen Dishaw is his caretaker who takes him for his daily walks. She’s been taking care of Andy for the last ten years and she says the walks are good for him. At 61, Andy’s been around for a long time and he’s been at the aviary almost all his life. Helen says condors usually don’t live as long in the wild like they do in captivity. From the time he first hatched until now, Andy has grown into his tremendous wingspan, spanning nine feet.

Broad Breasted White Turkey in 18th Century High Heels. This is the most common breed of turkey. What makes this bird unique is it’s choice of vintage footwear.

This was a request by Mari Quimbo Lalana. Vinnie is a leghorn silky mix. He’s a brave little rooster who took on a coyote to save his nine ladies. The boots are a nod to Mari’s farm helper. He has handled Vinnie since he was born but for some reason Vinnie needs to attack his boots every day.

Happy Halloween Month. My newest, Crow Skeleton in High Tops. I thought a crow skeleton was appropriate for Halloween. The high tops were his idea.

This was a special request for Jennifer Olin for her sister Catherine. Cat introduced Jennifer to my Birds in Shoes. Cat loves all animals and tolerates people. She has always worn Mary Jane’s by choice and when she was asked what bird she would want if I were to draw her one it was the mockingbird, probably the most common bird seen all over Texas for a most uncommon woman.

This was a special request from Gabriela Cox for Ninji. She says not a day goes by since he died that she doesn’t miss him intensely. He was the first chick she hatched. Every day, he would run to her and jump into her lap, talking quietly about his day as she held him and stroked him. He never complained when she called him "chickie", because he was secure in his role of rooster and protector. She knows for a fact that he would agree to be portrayed wearing fuzzy blue slippers just to make her smile. ❤️

This was a request by a Birds in Shoes member. The word ‘flamingo’ comes from the Latin and Spanish for ‘fire’ referring of course to both their bright pink feathers and their taste in athletic forward. It was interesting to learn that the backward bending knee of a flamingo isn’t a knee at all, it’s actually its ankle. Its knee is much higher and hidden in its feathers.

This was a request by a nurse in my Birds in Shoes group. She loves being an OR nurse and is very proud of her OR peeps and all nurses out there. I put this bluethroat nightingale in her favorite cap and clogs. This is a nod to Florence Nightingale and her Environmental Theory which revolutionized nursing by establishing sanitary working environments for patients and nurses and is the baseline for every operating room.

I decided to rework and add a crest to my original drawing after meeting a very pretty little Goffin's cockatoo called Peach when I was delivering my drawings to the Scarlet Ibis gallery for my show next month. The shoes are a nod to Goffin's being called the clowns of the cockatoo world.

They are known in Portuguese as "Araçari-banana," or Banana Toucanet. They are found in the Atlantic forest in far north-eastern Argentina, south-eastern Brazil, and eastern Paraguay. I liked their distinctive red rump. The colorful huaraches are just their fashion statement.

I’m doing my very first gallery show at the Scarlet Ibis Gallery in Seattle starting in July. I decided to do a scarlet ibis for the show. I asked the owner what kind of shoes she’d recommend. She suggested dangerous ones. The mohawk was my idea.

This was a special request from Joseph Masibay for his girlfriend Tara. She works for the tv/movie industry. She paints sets, ages sets and makes things look old and weathered. The hat was a gift from him and her shoes get covered with primer, plaster and a variety of paint colors. The starling speckling fits nicely with the hat and shoes.

This was a special request by Joni Holmes. This was to honor her two departed rescues, her dog Ghost and her gray bunny Yahtzee. They were best friends. She called Ghost, Toothless after the dragon in the How to train your dragon movie. That dragon looked a lot like a nightjar.

They are also called little pratincole or small Indian pratincole. They are waders that resemble a combination of a dove, a swallow, and a plover. Their flight is agile and erratic, resembling a bat or swallow; frequently flies in flocks at dusk which is why they often wear brightly colored shoes in order to stand out.

I’ve had many requests to draw a pigeon. Two resent requests moved it up to the top of my to do list. Sara Janoff that loves her pet pigeon, Pickles and Jaqueline Albin, a New Yorker that has a family of pigeon that have lived on her balcony for generations now. She has named them all Kevin.

A special request. Barefooted Blue-footed Booby. I had many request to do a blue-footed booby. I just couldn’t cover those beautiful blue feet. Blue-footed boobies are aptly named, and males take great pride in their fabulous feet. During mating rituals, male birds show off their feet to prospective mates with a high-stepping strut.

My neighbor John suggested I do a birds in shoes drawing to honor the Ukrainian people. I greatly admire the courage it’s taking for them to stand up to the Russian military onslaught. I posted a white stork, their National bird I’d drawn years ago wearing wingtips in my Birds in Shoes group this morning. There were suggestions that I put him in combat boots, which made sense but after debating with myself for awhile, I decided on sneakers that I found on the Internet that were of the Ukrainian flag. I am a combat veteran. I’ve seen the horrors of war up close and the sooner those brave people (many of them are not military trained) can get back to sneakers and back to picking up the pieces after this horrific act of aggression the better.

The pink robin is a small tubby Australian bird, and is easily over-looked, being quieter than other robins which they make up for by wearing brightly colored slippers.

Crows are extremely intelligent birds. Crows are known for their amazing communication skills. For example, when a crow encounters a mean human or a cool pair of shoes, it will teach other crows how to identify them.

I found it interesting that the bills of the xenops look as if they have been put on upside down. I found out about them because I was looking for a bird that started with an X for my Birds in Shoes alphabet book. I’m glad they were so pretty and interesting.

Wishing all of you a Happy and More Normal New Year from me and the Birds in shoes Facebook group. 2020 has been a weird and challenging year so I decided to draw a bird in shoes to commemorate it. I picked an Ibis in high heels. This is a northern or hermit ibis. I loved researching ibises. The hermit ibis is rare but in Australia the white ibises are seen daily, often foraging amongst garbage. They have clever nicknames for them like “ bin chickens", "tip turkeys", "sandwich snatchers" and "picnic pirates", to name a few. So an ibis seemed appropriate for 2020.

I picked a laughing dove to symbolize two things I want for all of us this holiday season. Laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in our body. Laughter strengthens our immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects us from the damaging effects of stress. Plus I think we need more peace within ourselves and in the world around us. I’m seeing way too much anger, conflict and divisiveness these days. So wishing everyone a peaceful and laugh filled holiday.

I was moved and inspired by a segment on Evening Magazine about BILLY Footwear. I reached out to Billy Price and asked if I could draw a bird wearing one of his shoes. He accepted and his 3 year old son picked the baby penguin. Billy broke his neck from a three-story fall in October of 1996, becoming paralyzed from the chest down and lost the ability to move much of his body, including his fingers. Not only did he suddenly face mobility challenges, but daily tasks that he took for granted, such as putting on clothes, became much more difficult. Throughout the years he learned tricks for getting dressed more easily. But the one piece of clothing that always eluded him was shoes—he never found a pair of shoes that he felt were both attractive and that he could put on independently. Between Billy’s propensity for problem-solving and his co-founder Darin’s spark for business innovation, they created Billy Footwear. The shoes incorporate a zipper that go along the outside and around the toe, allowing the upper of each shoe to open and fold over completely. Thus the wearer can place his or her foot onto the footbed unobstructed. Then with a tug on the zipper-pull the shoe closes and secures overtop the user's foot. What a wonderful solution for those with mobility issues.

They are also called a gweela or Australian bush turkey. This was inspired by Pat Maxten. She has a scrub turkey she calls Terrence that comes into her backyard every day for a drink from her bird bath. I loved finding out that after the females lay their eggs the males work hard to drive away predators such as lace monitors, dingoes, snakes, feral pigs and dogs that are after the eggs by flinging leaf litter at them. They then peck at their tails as they run away.

This was a special order by Kiri Yashida. His name is Tyler Lockett and she describes him as the sweetest, cuddliest little man and that he loves to dance with her. Kiri is a fellow veteran and she belong to a group that dresses up as super heroes and raise money for pediatric charities. Her group visits sick kids in hospitals and work a lot of events like that. https://m.facebook.com/CC4Causes/ She’s a bird lover, veteran and volunteers to help sick kids, what an incredible combination, Tyler is lucky boy.

This was a special request by Kris Lowery. She said her Mom lights up whenever she watches a video of a rooster wearing sneakers. She said it may be because she was raised around chickens in Louisiana as a child. I found it interesting that chickens are a domesticated subspecies of the red junglefowl originally from Southeastern Asia. I used the coloring of the junglefowl for this drawing.

This was a special request from a good friend (originally from the UK) for her nephew Robin for his birthday. Robin is about to welcome his first child due in the same month as his birthday. In my research it showed that the baby UK robin's feathers are partially blue, which reminded My friend of Robbie's wife who has Ethiopia ancestry where many birds have blue plumage. This is for Robbie and Lydia and their new chick.

The Gloster is known to have a beautiful song. With their beautiful song and their crest that looks like the Beatle haircuts of my youth I couldn’t help putting him in a pair if Beatle boots. Their song and their cute-looking crest has caused them to become very popular, just like the Beatles.

This is a special request from Katelyn Brew. His name is SEJ after the three vets who saved his life. SEJ is a rescue. He lost his right wing in 2009 and his right foot in 2019. Given his tendency to bite everyone except Katelyn, his nickname became Satan.

They have a buzzy zick-zick call that is made regularly when disturbed or when foraging. This bird and their song are seen as a good omen by the Kayan, Kenyah and Punan people. Not to be confused with the click, click of their spider filled high heels on pavement.

This was a special request from a woman in my birds in shoes Facebook group. She owns a coffeeshop. One of her dear regulars used to carry peanuts for the crows. He also used to wear mismatched shoes, most notably, one red and one blue one.

Baby pelicans are rarely seen. This is because pelicans nest far away in inland or remote locations in large breeding colonies. A group of pelicans can be called many things including a "brief", "pod", "pouch", "scoop" or "squadron" of pelicans. I’ve heard they hide their chicks away so their colorful boots won’t attract predators.

A baby turkey is called a poult or a chick. A male turkey is a tom, a female is a hen, and a band of turkeys is a flock. Hens don’t feed their young for very long. Poults learn quickly how to take care of themselves. They eat seeds, berries and insects; moccasins help them sneak up on wary insects.

Baby Northern Cardinals will be tan like their Mothers. The males will get their red feathers as they grow into adults. The babies are born from white eggs with brown spots. The female will lay between one and five eggs with a typical clutch having three eggs. As you can see this little one is very proud of her Christmas socks.

Newly-hatched chicks (flaminglets, by the way not every source agrees to call them this) have gray or white down feathers, a straight red or pink bill, and plump red or pink legs. Chicks gather in large groups called creches (French for "crib"). Parents are able to locate their own chicks in the creche at feeding time by sight and vocalizations. They will feed no other chick. Parents keep a close, protective watch on their chick as it explores its habitat.

Shoebill babies are quite wobbly on their feet because their beaks are so heavy they have a hard time walking or even standing until they are several weeks old. Work boots are recommended for stability and balance.

This was a request from a member of my Birds in Shoes Facebook group because the Ohio School of Falconry just got a baby Spectacled owl - his name is Edison. He is a South American Spectacled Owl that is part of the educational flock of Ambassador Birds at the school. He was named by the Director’s daughter

This was a special request by A member of my Facebook group Birds in shoes. She asked me to replace the roadrunner I drew in cowboy boots with one in pink running shoes for a gift for her daughter.

My newest, Purple Swamphen Chick in Leg Warmers These babies live in large extended family groups, whereas most birds live in pairs with only the current season’s chicks. The mothers lay an average of 5 eggs and share the responsibilities of sitting on the eggs, feeding the young and chasing away predators. They have such incredible feet I just couldn’t add shoes. Also, If you’re wondering if they really have purple toenails, they don’t, it’s just artistic license.

I love how innocent baby birds look. Baby parrots look for a Mom or Dad right away. Imprinting is a psychological terminology that describes the process by which a baby starts to recognize its parents. Birds normally accept the first moving thing or animal that they see as their parent. If a human being is the one feeding these birds, they will accept him or her as their parent.

Hoopoes name comes from their distinctive whooping cry. This was a suggestion from my friend Ken Bolte for a friend of his. The hoopoes have some strange amorous antics during their unusually long breeding season, males adopt a variety of strategies to woo potential mates, including seductive serenades and mid-flight beak jousts. After mating the females will paint their eggs with a brownish goo, in a bid for greater male attention. The pigment they use is made in-house—a brown, oily substance secreted by the uropygial gland, located at the base of the female’s tail. Not to leave out the kids from strange behavior, within days of emerging, nestlings learn to defend themselves by hoisting their butts skyward and squirting poop at potential intruders.

The budgie, or budgerigar, is most commonly referred to as the more generic term “parakeet” in the United States. The species name undulatus in Latin means, roughly, “song bird with wavy lines,” which is a pretty good description of this popular bird. The wild budgie is similar to to the ones we see as pets but smaller, only 6 to 7 inches long and rarely if ever wears shoes.

This is a female. You can tell by her yellow eyes, males are black. These birds are quite big at dance-like displays. A pair will stalk up to each other face to face, extending their wings and fluttering the wing tips rapidly and advancing their heads until they meet. They then clatter their bills and walk away. The display lasts for a minute and may be repeated several times. Another display as parents, the adult birds take turns at the nest and when one returns to relieve the other, they perform a greeting display with open wings and an up and down movement of their heads.

They are very sociable birds and will become unhappy if they are left alone for long periods of time. In the wild the male cockatiel use sounds to attract females, so in general are better at talking and whistling. Some are so talented that they can learn an entire song. Male cockatiels also make good fathers! While the mothers are responsible for hatching the eggs and caring for the newborn chicks, the male cockatiel doesn’t fly off and abandon them, either. In fact, they are quite protective of their family, and in the wild, will face much larger birds and predators just to keep them safe. They are also nurturing and affectionate with their young.

Bluebirds are the symbols of spring, happiness, love, and hope. It felt appropriate since it was just the Spring Equinox. This is an Eastern bluebird. I found it interesting they nest in old woodpecker holes, natural cavities or the rafters of buildings. When a female selects a nest site, the male examines its suitability by way of a courtship display. The female may inspect his display or discard it if it is not to her liking. If the female accepts the nesting hole, both sexes work together to seal the hole. After sealing the opening of the hole, the male continues to attract a female with his courtship display. I’m sure the ladybug shoes will help with the display.

My Victorian crowned pigeon. This beautiful bird is easily recognized by its red eyes, the unique crests on its head and a row of wing feathers with white and maroon tips that I think look a lot like fingers. Its name commemorates the British monarch Queen Victoria which was probably as a result of the gold crown on its very regal head.

This was a special request by member Gail Anderson. She lives in Cape Coral, Florida where they’re known for their Burrowing Owl population and have a festival honoring them every year about this time. The festival is a way to raise money for the Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife. She helps them count burrows and owls every year to make sure the numbers aren't dwindling. They are protected there and if there is a burrow on an empty lot it can't be built on until after mating/owlet season. The sad part is that there's so much building going on there that they're even asking people to put burrows in their own yards (I wish I could have one in my yard) There are charities to help: CCFW and the Cape Coral Wildlife Trust, both for this very worthwhile cause.

I was inspired by a story by a member of the Birds in shoes Facebook group. Her grandad worked as a commercial shrimp buyer for over 40 years. Hence the white shrimper boots. At the end of winter her granddad and her would sit and watch for birds in the pond in their back yard. There was an old sunken row boat in the pond with just the back tip showing. They would wait to spot a scissor tail there. He told her that meanit the end of winter was near and spring was coming which by the way is my favorite time of the year.

They are usually found sitting still on a branch in the middle levels of dense forests. What attracted me to draw it was it’s nest. It looked like a comfortable place to lean back and prop up your feet after a hard day of flying around foraging for insects.

I was inspired by group member Lynn Ellis Spicer’s story about her Dad that recently passed. Ed was a bird lover. One hawk in particular that he enjoyed spotting was a Cooper’s hawk. The boots were to honor his 44 years in service as a firefighter for his Oregon community, the last four as Fire Chief. On top of that one started visiting my yard a couple of weeks ago. I was intrigued when I did my research on these birds, people either seem to love or hate them. I read descriptions from bold, majestic and agile to noxious tyrant and avian outlaw. At the very least not a boring bird.

This was inspired by a suggestion by Trevor S Robertson. I’m fascinated by rare chicken breeds and this distinctive, quirky and downright bizarre naked neck chicken certainly fits. They do look peculiar, but it’s the way nature made them. This breed that originated from Transylvania are famous for having featherless necks and preferring pink high tops and bow ties.

Rooster in US Flag boots. This was inspired by a post by someone in my Birds in shoes Facebook group. She was about to put her beloved rooster Einstein down and wanted something to remember him by. I added the boots because I thought he’d look good in them.

They are best known by their dashing white mustaches, which are found on both male and female birds. It’s a gregarious species with an elaborate courtship including a "high flight," with the male quickly ascending to several hundred feet, pursued by the female.

Rosefinch in pink boots. This was inspired by a post by Rose Younkins and moved to the top of my to do list by my wife.

My newest; a Brahminy myna in retro high heels. It’s also called a brahminy starling. This was inspired by a photo posted by a member of my Facebook group Birds in shoes. You can tell this is a male because of the very cool prominent crest which is what attracted me to draw him. My wife helped with the shoe design.

Buff Crested Bustard in Tap Shoes. The name comes from the crest of feathers along the back of the male’s neck that are erected when courting. During the courting ritual he flys straight up in the air and then falls and catches himself just before hitting the ground. The reason I picked tap shoes is the name reminded me of the name for street performers “buskers” and one of the early buskers were tap dancers.

My newest, a Chickadee in retro two tones. This was inspired by the hordes (or banditry) of Chickadees at my bird feeder. It was between this one, a black capped chickadee or a chestnut backed chickadee. I picked this one because I liked his shoes better.

This a special order for Valentine’s Day for a Birds in shoes Facebook group member’s boy friend that loves great blue herons and wanted to know if I could put leather Vans on him. So I took his galoshes off (I drew one in the past with galoshes) and added the sneakers. I have one that visits my small pond every year and eats most of my gold fish.

An African crowned crane in riding boots. I’ve had this crane on my list for some time. They are beautiful birds with a distinctive black patch at the very top of their head and a very cool crown of stiff golden feathers. Another unique feature is their bright red inflatable throat pouch. The riding boots were inspired by a suggestion from Lynn Briody.

Palm Cockatoo in Knight shoes, also known as the goliath cockatoo or great black cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black parrot of the cockatoo family. I picked knight boots because when I looked at him the coloring, feathers and the crest of feathers on his head reminded me of a knight in armor.

Zebra finches are highly gregarious and social. Pairs that have not yet laid their eggs sometimes elect to court and mate in special "courting trees" before joining the flock. In the afternoon, most pairs engage in social activities, which often take place at "social trees". Years ago we had some and I remember that when we played certain songs they would start chattering which sounded a lot like “Change the channel, change the channel” and as soon as we did they would calm right down.

Toucans are exciting to watch and listen to because of their colorful personalities so I thought bright yellow clogs were appropriate. Studies suggest that a toucan's bill is so large because it helps to keep the bird cool in the warm climates where it lives. Since they are unable to sweat, they need their bills for air conditioning, also the reason for holes in their clogs.

In addition to looking adorable, the young ibis also squeaks while headbanging like a tiny avian punk rocker. Due to the increasing presence of ibis in urban environments and its habit of rummaging in garbage, the species has acquired a variety of colloquial names such as "tip turkey" and "bin chicken", and in recent years has become an icon of Australia's popular culture. Their cute Mary Janes keep their feet from getting dirty when rummaging in the garbage.

Merry Christmas to all the members of the Birds in shoes family. I’m feeling so grateful for all the great posts, comments and for the wonderful community that has been created by the weird idea of putting birds in shoes. My newest, Partridge in elf shoes. This was inspired by a suggestion by Nancy Tepley-Mimbach to draw a partridge in a pear tree. I thought what better time to draw one than right before Christmas.

This was inspired by a suggestion by Jen Pretty. Not quite a bird but maybe a distant cousin. This was a fun one to draw because I had to make up a lot of how it would look. Pterodactyl in sneakers. I was surprised to discover, despite what some people still think, modern birds didn't descend from pterodactyls, but rather, from the small, two-legged, meat-eating dinosaurs of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, many of which were covered with feathers. As far as we know, Pterodactylus and Pteranodon were strictly reptilian in appearance. Not quite a bird or even a relative but it was fun to draw.

This was inspired by a photo posted by group member Fari Diba. I put him in my favorite sweatpants (my wife caught me singing my sweatpants song to the tune of Simon and Garfunkel’s Sound is silence, “Hello sweatpants my old friend, I’ve come to wear you once again”). He represents how many of us are feeling after 8+ months in quarantine.

This was inspired by the tiny owl that was rescued after a 75-foot Norway spruce was cut down in upstate New York and then shipped to Rockefeller Center in NYC.

I enjoyed doing the Easter chick so much I decided to go cute again with this duckling. Young ducklings can feed themselves as soon as the reach water but must learn what is edible and are stars at bug patrol.

My friend Sarah is sending birds in shoes coasters of different holidays as gifts and said she wished there was one for Easter. I thought, what better for Easter than a baby chick wearing pink saddle shoes. When a little baby chick is born it’s about the same size of the egg it was just in; so, you can definitely call it a tight fit. So, it’s a good thing they are born without shoes.

Kea parrot on rollerblades. This Kea suggestion came from member Denise Gilles. They are also known as the New Zealand mountain parrot. This parrot fascinated me. From the outside they look brown and olive green. That is until they open their wings and then lots of beautiful colors appear. The Kea Parrot is a very playful, inquisitive and brave bird. They have a tendency to enter buildings, once inside buildings, nothing is sacred, if something can be chewed then they will have a go at it. They will even attack cars for their wiper blades and windshield wipers. This video captures their personalities perfectly, https://youtu.be/xr1xhyaYtj. They also enjoy rolling around in snow and bathing in puddles of thawed ice. When in the air they perform aerobatics in the strong winds.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY to all my fellow veterans. Here is Skipper the parrot wearing my old combat boots. Parrot in combat boots. . This beautiful bird, an Amazon blue front parrot was a request from a fellow veteran that wanted a drawing of Skipper wearing combat boots (I even got to use the boots issued to me in Vietnam over 50 years ago for the drawing and they still fit - ha ha).

My hornbill in cowboy boots. This is southern yellow-billed hornbill Its found in southern Africa. I thought it was cool not only for how it looks but she/he feeds mainly on the ground, where they forage for seeds, small insects, spiders and scorpions.

This is a black hornbill. These striking birds are early risers. Often up with the sun, they spend their morning preening and calling to their neighbors. As social creatures they forage together looking for fruit (mostly figs) and insects.

My newest, Cardinal in snow boots. I had several people ask for a cardinal. I’m thinking of using this for December in the calendar.

The barn owl is the most widely distributed species of owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds. The barn owl is found almost everywhere in the world except for the polar and desert regions, Asia north of the Himalayas, most of Indonesia, and some Pacific islands. The penny loafers were my idea (I still have a pair like them).

This was inspired by my friends Robyn and Mark and a story that Robyn told me that touched my heart. Mark's younger brother Jay was killed suddenly in a car accident. Mark was deep in shock and grief so they went to Point No Point just to get away. They were really surprised to see a rare blue jay sighting when one landed on their porch and sat there for a while looking at them inside their cabin. They were in a different kind of shock when he hopped across the threshold, looked at each of them and then hopped out and flew away. They now see blue jays as miracle message carriers. The shoes are a nod to Mark’s love of golf.

This was a special request for Jj’s chicken Filipina specialty restaurant, Hen Haus, in San Mateo California! It was fun figuring how to put Jj’s curly hair, glasses and her favorite shoes on a chicken.

My newest, a Quaker parrot in Mary Janes. It’s also called a Monk parakeet. It’s a member in good standing of the true parrot club.

I decided to draw this crow in a plague mask wearing pink high tops to honor the medical professionals and volunteers that are putting in long hours and risking their lives to care for people with the Covid-19 virus. In the 17th and 18th centuries Doctors invented these masks to protect themselves and prevent contagion. These masks have lenses on the eyes and a long cavity in the nose, which was filled with aromatic items such as ambergris, mint, or rose petals. These were meant to ward the disease away because people believed miasma (bad air) spread the disease. I picked pink for the hightops because pink represents caring, compassion and love and is associated with giving and receiving care. I decided to use a crow because I like crows and they symbolize wisdom as well as intellect and being fearless and strong.

My newest, 2 swans in fluevogs. I had separate requests for something with 2 birds, swans and fluevogs (which I had to look up because I’d never heard of fluevog shoes) I decided to combine all three in this one drawing. I love the yin yang aspect and the joining of the black and white swans to make a heart. That was a nod to Brenda (my wife), she makes yin yang heart jewery and wall art (Brenda’s HeART pendants).

The Pesquet's parrot is often called the Dracula parrot or the vulturine parrot. I put the skull buckle boots on him as a nod to my second favorite holiday, Halloween (Thanksgiving is first, I’ll need to do a turkey for that in Pilgrim shoes).

My Indian Ringneck Parrot in Derby shoes (Doc Martens). This was a special request from a woman in Hong Kong for her husband. Why it’s so special is the husband loves the parrot, both she and the parrot love her husband but the parrot hates her (jealous bird?) but she still wanted the drawing for him. Great wife.

The turkey vulture, also known in some North American regions as the turkey buzzard, and in some areas of the Caribbean as the John crow or carrion crow, is the most widespread of the New World vultures. Society, in general, portrays them and vultures in general, as dirty, evil, harbingers of death. In reality, these scavenging birds are actually very important for the health and success of an ecosystem. By feeding on carrion, vultures help prevent the spread of deadly diseases. These special birds are incredibly misunderstood and as a result very little is known of their ballet skill.

I drew this to illustrate what I’m calling the “Chicken on a Python Syndrome”. When I was in Vietnam (50 years ago)I had a pet 12 foot python. I fed her chickens. I remember this one chicken; I put her into the enclosure and it wildly ran around trying to hide from the snake. After a while the chicken just gave up and went over and sat on the python with a weird look on her face. I think many of us are going through this right now with all the fear swirling around us every day from the pandemic, the divisive political climate, police shootings, climate change etc., etc. and all the politicians delightfully exploiting this fear in hopes for more votes. We get tired of being scared and then get a weird look on our faces and go and sit on the python. Stay safe and keep the faith, we’ll get through this. To complete the story: I talked with a local to find out why the python wasn’t eating. She’d laid unfertile eggs that weren’t hatching and he said she was depressed. I returned her to the jungle and gave the traumatized chicken to a local farmer and envision both having a long happy life)

My newest, Bantam Silkie in muck boots. This was a special request from Pamela Garrick. She said her Bantam Silkie isn't a big guy but a wonderful gentleman to his Girlz Miracle Mona, Mary Jane and Jumpin Mz, Jo jo. Early Early Earl ( what his crowing sounds like) and the Girlzzz. I love em.

Despite the heron in the name , the Little Blue Heron is probably a closer relative of the Snowy Egret than the great blue heron. It looks much like a Snowy when its young and changes color as it ages. When they mature their heads and neck turn purple so I thought purple boots would fit it nicely.

This was suggested by Samantha Null and Cathy Liddicoatt Messer. Golden Polish chicken in farm boots. Despite their name, Golden Polish did not originate in Poland. They gained their name because their crests resembled the hats of the Polish military. Some experts believe that Spanish settlers brought Polish chickens with them when they migrated north to the Netherlands.

We’ve been watching the BBC series The Musketeers, I loved their uniforms especially their boots. I thought the only bird that could pull them off would be an Ostrich. Brenda (my wife) has a crush on one of the Musketeers and wants me to name this ostrich D’Artagnan.

I was deciding what boots I should put on a pelican and ran across my neighbor Morganne and her sister from Louisiana and they suggested shrimper boots.There are more than half a dozen species of pelicans, but all of them have the famous throat pouch for which the birds are best known. These large birds use their elastic pouches to catch fish. The American white pelican can hold some 3 gallons of water in its bill. Young pelicans feed by sticking their bills into their parents' throats to retrieve food.

The bird was recommended by Candy Ring and the rockabilly blue suede shoes was a nod to Carl Perkins and my UK friend Johnny Gorman.

This bird lives in Kenya. This one is a vulturine guinea fowl. This large, uniquely beautiful, and gregarious species closely resembles a vulture in that their slim neck protrudes from a long, glossy blue and white cape, or hackles. I picked the shoes because I thought he’d like them.

This is a Major Mitchell Cockatoo in orange leopard print creeper sneakers. Named for Major Sir Thomas Mitchell, an explorer and surveyor of Australia and admirer of the species. It’s also called the Leadbeater Cockatoo, its scientific name "leadbeateri" commemorates ornithologist Benjamin Leadbeater. I mostly drew it because I thought it was pretty and I thought the shoes fit him.

I picked the shoes first because I liked reading books about the Arabian Nights. I thought this pheasant fit the style. The golden pheasant, also known as the Chinese pheasant, and rainbow pheasant. The genus name is from Ancient Greek khrusolophos, "with golden crest", and pictus is Latin for "painted" from pingere, "to paint".

They are called modern day dinosaurs and are classified in the dangerous category with alligators and wild cats because of its long dagger-like toes. But what excites scientists about the cassowary — a large, emu-like, flightless bird — is its distinctive look. With its black iridescent feathered body, its blue, turquoise and magenta neck and horned crest or casque. It’s been described as looking like a high-fashion dinosaur so I had to put it in high-fashion boots.

They walk with a swaggering strut which works well for shoes. They sometimes gather in flocks, even seemingly living communally, and will band together to mob a raptor. This is a black-billed magpie which I found out mate for life. One of the most notable Black-billed Magpie behaviors is the so-called “funeral”—when one magpie discovers a dead magpie, it begins calling loudly to attract other magpies. The gathering of raucously calling magpies (up to 40 birds have been observed) may last for 10 to 15 minutes before the birds disperse and fly off silently.

just finished this Blackbird in high tops for the Cody Blackbird Band. They contacted me after a friend showed them my raven in high tops and asked to use it for T-shirts and other merchandise. I added the fedora and sunglasses that Cody wears to customize it for them.

This was requested by my daughter Katelyn. These are seabirds that feed primarily by diving in the water. They breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands, nesting in crevices among rocks or in burrows in the soil. Hiking boot seemed to fit with their habitat.

Great Blue Herons typically nest in colonies, called heronries. The babies are called chicks and look very cute in baby booties but I suggest you waterproof them because they spend so much time in the water.

This was a special request from my wife mostly because every time I said I was drawing a bushtit, she giggled. This is the black throated bushtit. It’s highly social and will travel in large flocks of up to 40 birds and will even join mixed-species feeding flocks. They are a great combination of being social and inclusive.

I had several requests for a Seahawk from friends in Seattle. I did some research and there are two birds referred to as sea hawks, the osprey and the sea eagle. The sea eagle looked most like the Seahawks logo so I chose it. A sea eagle (also called erne or ern, mostly in reference to the white-tailed eagle) is any of the birds from the birds of prey family. I designed the shoes with Seahawk colors and the 12 to honor fans.

The bald eagle is the national bird of the United States. It can be found on the U.S. seal, stamps, coins and much more. The founders of the United States wanted a bird to symbolize a nation they hoped would be strong and powerful and one that could soar high in the sky to represent freedom. To fit this description, the founders chose the bald eagle, which is an eagle species found only in North America. I added roller skates just for the fun of it.

This is a Pileated Woodpecker, one of the biggest, most striking forest birds in the US. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest. Look (and listen) for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood.

Seagull in rubber boots. This was inspired by my friend Jane and her love of seagulls Seagulls are very clever. They learn, remember and even pass on behaviours, such as stamping their feet in a group to imitate rainfall and trick earthworms to come to the surface. Seagulls’ intelligence is clearly demonstrated by a range of different feeding behaviours, such as dropping hard-shelled molluscs onto rocks so that they break open so they can eat them, and following ploughs in fields where they know upturned grubs and other food sources will be plentiful. Gulls have a complex and highly developed repertoire for communication which includes a range of vocalisations and body movements. Seagulls can even drink both fresh and salt water.

Blackbird in high tops. I drew this for the Cody Blackbird Band. They contacted me after a friend showed them my raven in high tops and asked to use it for T-shirts and other merchandise to be sold at his concerts. I added the fedora and sunglasses that Cody wears to customize it for them.

This was inspired by my neighbor Mark, a big Kiss fan. Which meant I needed a big bird to pull off those boots. The Emu more than fit that need. It’s the largest bird in Australia and second largest in the world after the ostrich. It commonly lives in the Southern part of the island, Tasmania and easily rocked those boots.

They are noted for their spectacular dives into water. They are worldwide in distribution but are chiefly tropical. These vocal, colourful birds are renowned for their dramatic hunting techniques. They typically sits very still, watching for movement from a favorite perch and then swiftly dive on their prey, in this case a lizard.

I remember an old line; maturity is putting on your galoshes even when your parents tell you to . This seems to fits our present situation so well during the pandemic (social distancing, stay at home, etc). You can’t tell me what to do and you’re not the boss of me is getting people killed. Be like the great blue heron and wear your damn galoshes (by the look on his face you can tell he’s not happy about it either but he’s still doing it ).

This is a roseate spoonbill, the only spoonbill native to the Western Hemisphere. As the name implies, the roseate spoonbill also has a large, spoon-shaped bill, which it sweeps back and forth in shallow water to capture prey. The specialized bill has sensitive nerve endings which help the birds search for food in shallow water. Their diet primarily consists of crayfish, shrimp, crabs, and small fish. They are often seen wearing green swim fins and goggles to compliment their pink color.

This bird in shoes was inspired by all of us hunkered down in our homes on self quarantine. It’s a Go away bird in pink fuzzy slippers. The Go away bird also known as the grey lourie is a bold and common bird of the southern Afrotropics. When they are disturbed they make their presence known by their characteristically loud and nasal "kweh" or "go-way" calls. I picked pink for the fuzzy slippers because pink represents giving and receiving compassion and care.

I’m a big fan of Steampunk and had a great time outfitting this stork in steampunk gear. Steampunk is a retrofuturistic subgenre of science fiction that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. Steampunk stories are often set in an alternative history of the Victorian era or the American "Wild West", where steam power remains in mainstream use.

UK Robin in Platform Shoes. This bird in shoes was inspired by my friend Sue that told me robins in the UK look different than the ones in the US. The UK Robin is the unofficial national bird of the UK and from the flycatcher family of birds. The main similarity to the US Robin is the red breast. The European robin is a compact songbird and a common sight in many gardens, woodlands, and yards, not just in the UK, but throughout Europe. Despite their amiable appearance, they can be very aggressive and territorial birds especially when wearing those shoes.

I decided to draw this crow in a plague mask wearing pink high tops to honor the medical professionals and volunteers that are putting in long hours and risking their lives to care for people with the Covid-19 virus. In the 17th and 18th centuries Doctors invented these masks to protect themselves and prevent contagion. These masks have lenses on the eyes and a long cavity in the nose, which was filled with aromatic items such as ambergris, mint, or rose petals. These were meant to ward the disease away because people believed miasma (bad air) spread the disease. I picked pink for the hightops because pink represents caring, compassion and love and is associated with giving and receiving care. I decided to use a crow because I like crows and they symbolize wisdom as well as intellect and being fearless and strong.

Toucan in clown shoes. I though this was appropriate given all the stress and fear out there these days. A good reminder to play more. Toucans are highly social and playful birds. That’s one of the reasons I picked clown shoes besides color is how playful they are. Toucans often spend time sparring with their bills, tag-chasing and calling. Experts believe they play to fill the time it takes for their food (fruit) to digest. This would be a good practice for many of us.

They are also known as the tiger owl (originally derived from early naturalists' description as the "winged tiger" or "tiger of the air"), It is an extremely adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas. Its primary diet is rabbits and hares (one of the reasons for the slippers besides they’re cute), rats and mice.

Blue footed booby was suggested by my friend Heidi. The challenge was not to cover up the beautiful blue feet with shoes. I ended up with flip flops but to accommodate the structure of their feet I had to put them on the wrong feet. Try saying blue footed booby in flip flops really fast. Brenda laughs every time she hears it.

I had 2 suggestions from friends that wanted a bird in red high heels. Secretary Bird in high heels. The origins of the secretary bird’s name are much debated. One theory is that the feathers jutting out behind the birds head reminded 19th-century Europeans of the quill pens that secretaries tucked behind their ears, while its grey and black body was reminiscent of their tailcoats.ts. A more recent theory is that the name derives from the Arabic ‘saqr-et-tair’, or ‘hunter bird’. The secretary bird is a large bird of prey found in grasslands and savannah across Sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of only two birds of prey preferring to hunt on foot (the other being the caracara). At about 4 feet tall, its height allows it to spot insects, lizards, snakes and rats in the tall grass.

The roadrunner is a long-legged bird in the cuckoo family, from the Aridoamerica region in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. The scientific name means "Californian earth-cuckoo". Its also known as the chaparral cock, ground cuckoo, and snake killer. The cowboy boots are nod to the region they come from and are handy for stomping on snakes.

frog mouthed owl and baby in low tops. Tawny Frogmouth and baby in low tops. The Tawny Frogmouth may look like an owl, and although it is related to owls, the Tawny Frogmouth is more closely related to Oilbirds and Nightjars. The Tawny Frogmouth is found throughout mainland Australia, Tasmania and southern New Guinea and it also occurs in India and across southern Asia. This bird is so perfectly camouflaged during the day that it may be living near you, without you ever noticing. The only clue might be their low, humming ‘ooom-ooom-ooom’ call, heard mainly at night.

It was originally a Robin in Vans but I got a cease and desist notice from them when I downloaded it on Redbubble. I guess they weren’t impressed. I get a warm feeling when I see the first robin of spring because I know warmer weather is on the way. This drawing is special to me because I drew it for my amazing nephew Terry.

Wishing all of you Happy Holidays. Snow goose in Santa boots. I decided to draw a Christmas goose. Domestic geese have been used for centuries as watch animals and guards, and are among the most aggressive of all poultry. There are also Mother Goose tales, such as a farmwife might have told; there is the proverbial goose that laid the golden eggs, warning about the perils of greed. Plus they look great in a Santa hat and boots.

a shoebill in work boots was a suggestion by Nicole Le Blanc. Shoebill in Work Boots. This is my favorite bird. Shoebills are ancient birds that have been recognized by humans all the way back to the time of ancient Egypt. All shoebill birds have massive spoon-like bills and feature gray plumage. They have a large wingspan meant for soaring and short necks, unlike their stork and pelican relatives. Shoebills use their massive, powerful bills to kill and eat their prey. I think it’s very cool that they clatter their bills to communicate with one another, but may also rarely make mooing sounds as a form of communication as well.

This Hummingbird in ruby slippers is dedicated to my Mom that passed in 2019. My Mom loved hummingbirds and the cactus I used as a model was a cutting my Mom gave us when my daughter was born. Also this drawing is based on one I did as a request by family members that wanted a hummingbird tattoo to remember my Mom.

A special request from Brenda. Flamingo in Stilettos. The word "flamingo" comes from the Spanish word "flamenco" which means fire, and refers to the bright color of the birds' feathers. Not all flamingos are brightly colored because the strength of a flamingo's coloration comes from their diet. Flamingos hold their bent bills upside down while feeding, often for several hours a day, so they can filter out their food while skimming the water. All this plus their tall majestic bodies look great in stilettos

Storks have been part of many cultures beliefs for centuries. By observing the storks, which travelled south to warmer climates every year, returning with the spring, the ancient Slavs had the perfect example of their reincarnation belief. For the ancient Slaves, winter was the dark part of the year, symbolizing death. Thus, they assumed that storks – carrying the souls of the dead – travelled south, to a beautiful paradise. And with the arrival of the spring, the storks would return, and complete the cycle of reincarnation. To this very day there is a common common anecdote that storks bring babies, new life to the world (the image was very common in the cartoons of my childhood). And because of this it is considered a great misfortune to harm, chase away, or kill a stork. To do so would bring on a great and heavy curse. That is why today, in many villages of northern Serbia, Hungary, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Poland, one can see numerous storks roosting in chimneys, on telephone poles, or church steeples. No one disturbs them, and everyone looks on them kindly even when they wear wingtips.

This was my first bird in shoes drawing. The kiwi is a unique and curious bird: it cannot fly, has loose, hair-like feathers, strong legs and no tail. It’s about the size of a chicken. It’s the national icon of New Zealand.