Bird Anatomy Illustration
Saturday, February 21, 2026
1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Format: In-Person
Instructor: Chris Macleod
Fee: $40 +HST per person if you register by February 13, 2026. After February 13 the fee is $50 +HST.
Register here:
https://arboretum.uoguelph.ca/educationandevents/workshops
This single-session program will provide a basis on understanding the anatomy of birds through illustration. The program will not only provide attendees with the background to illustrate anatomically correct birds of any family, but will also provide a basic understanding of bird anatomy for introductory birders. It is my goal to increase the appreciation of the public towards these beautiful creatures, and encourage us to work collaboratively to preserve the natural world.
This program will be broken into 5 sections: anatomy of the head, body, wings, and tail, and then a final section covering the bird as a whole. In each of the first 4 sections, I will go over the basic features that all birds share including the different groups of feathers and structures, and then outline how those structures differ between a few well known orders of birds. After the first 4 sections of this workshop are complete, we will then put it all together to illustrate an entire bird, highlighting each of the different feather groups and structures covered from earlier.
The workshop will be 2.5 hours in length. Each section will be approximately 20 minutes in length, giving enough time for a brief demonstration, practice, and questions. The remaining time after the 5 sections are completed will provide an opportunity for further practice, Q&A, and to finish off any material that was not covered in its entirety in its respective 20 minute segment.
Materials: Please bring a sketch book, pencil (mechanical recommended), eraser, and a black or blue pen. A portable chair may also be beneficial, as it is more comfortable to sit on.
*Maximum 15 adults.
Photo: Event poster with informative text and illustration of a bird with the crown, scapulars, and primaries highlighted and identified. Arboretum logo.
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