Yellow Warbler by Kristy McCarthy

Hearken to the hen on this mural!

Painted: 6/13/2025

In regards to the Mural: This mural, created by artist Kristy McCarthy (aka D. Gale), spotlights a household of Yellow Warblers amongst bursts of native crops: area thistle, butterfly milkweed, widespread blue violet, and japanese redbud. As a part of the Audubon Mural Project—a public-art initiative drawing consideration to birds which can be weak to extinction from local weather change—NYC Parks’ Artwork within the Parks program and NYC Parks GreenThumb labored with the Nationwide Audubon Society, Gitler &_____ Gallery, and native artists to design murals in group gardens throughout the town. By way of a collaborative course of between the companions, artist, and backyard group, every mural was designed to function climate-threatened birds in addition to native plants that birds depend on for meals and shelter. By creating vibrant city inexperienced areas, group gardeners present important assist for birds and folks. Discover extra murals from the collaboration here.

The mural was created with Melrose New Generation Community Garden, a stretch of inexperienced area within the Bronx. Artist McCarthy shares that she was closely pregnant whereas engaged on this mural. Although portray was extra of a problem than regular, “it was actually heartwarming to have a lot assist and encouragement from the group,” she says—together with from the backyard chief, Michelle, who was additionally pregnant on the time. “It was actually particular to share that have together with her,” McCarthy says.

In regards to the Hen: The Yellow Warbler’s good plumage and candy, vivid music are simple to select from woodlands, stream edges, and thickets. One of the extensively distributed warblers, this species builds its cup-shaped nests from the Arctic Circle all the best way to Mexico. 

Its present populations are considered steady, however a altering local weather poses threats for this acquainted warbler. If warming continues at its present web page, the species is projected to lose 41 % of its extensive summer time vary, in response to Audubon’s Survival By Degrees report. Taking motion to restrict warming can assist Yellow Warblers proceed to thrive throughout broader swaths of habitat. In the meantime, sustaining patches of inexperienced area like group gardens, and filling them with native crops, can assist make sure the birds have the locations they should relaxation and gas up on tasty bugs.

In regards to the Artist: Kristy McCarthy, who paints below the title D. Gale, is knowledgeable muralist, instructing artist, and group organizer primarily based in East Harlem. She makes use of artwork as a strong device to construct group, elevate consciousness about social and environmental justice points, and heal collective trauma. As a trauma-informed instructing artist, she has led numerous collaborative mural tasks with youth, seniors, and adults residing with psychological well being situations, partnering with NGOs and establishments akin to Groundswell, Thrive Collective, and the New York Division of Well being. She is a founding member of the Harlem Artwork Collective and co-producer of Fiesta de Colores, a socially engaged artwork pageant that takes place yearly in Ecuador. She is presently working in the direction of her PhD in Environmental Psychology, researching the political ecology of murals.

McCarthy has beforehand painted works for the Audubon Mural Challenge on storefront gates in Hamilton Heights. For her backyard mural, she says she was drawn to the Yellow Warbler due to its vivid coloration and delightful music. “I hope this mural brings folks pleasure and a way of awe at the fantastic thing about nature,” the artist says. “My hope is for the mural to brighten folks’s day and to boost consciousness in regards to the endangerment of those birds.”