A Tribute to Guy Tudor

A legendary bird illustrator passes away

In My Wild Life, my recent memoir, I chronicled the many influential figures in my life. One of those icons, Guy Tudor, recently passed away, leaving behind a legacy of bird and wildlife illustration. Guy was the first person to paint all South American birds. He illustrated the first field guides to the birds of Venezuela and Colombia along with major handbooks on all the songbirds of South America. He also formed and hosted the New York Butterfly Club and was a naturalist with a vast knowledge of plants. 

Guy won a MacArthur genius grant at the time I was living in NYC. My then wife Holly and I hosted him for dinner the day after the announcement. I recall him saying that now he can win most bar arguments as he is now a "certified genius". I, too, was once nominated but never made the final cut. I guess I can say I am a "certified non-genius”!

I got to know Guy starting in the 1970's and stayed with him dozens of times at his Manhattan and Forest Hills apartments. He joined me on my first scouting trip to Colombia.

I hosted him often in Cambridge and Newton at events including the world's first serious bioblitz at Walden in 1998 where he enjoyed time with E. O. Wilson and Canadian wildlife artist Bob Bateman.

Guy was the son of the art editor for Life magazine and began painting birds at a young age. He will be intered at the family plot in Truro on Cape Cod. I will join Brian Cassie, co-author of my New England field guide, Robert Ridgely, author of his pioneering South American books, and many of his New York friends in October. 

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There is a lovely tribute to my friend Guy Tudor in the New York Times.

A Short Tribute to Guy Tudor - VIDEO

By Doug Hitchcox