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Bird Art: ​Renowned Wildlife Artist Terance James Bond’s Bird Paintings to Be Auctioned

28 August 2025
​By James Hamilton

​Birdwatchers and wildlife art enthusiasts have a unique opportunity this September: a private collection of Terance James Bond’s bird illustrations is set to go under the hammer.

Bond, one of the UK’s most celebrated wildlife artists, was known for his astonishingly lifelike depictions of birds.

Born in Suffolk in 1946 and raised on a farm near Sudbury, Bond drew inspiration from the rich birdlife and landscapes of his home county. A self-taught artist, he spent decades observing and painting birds in their natural habitats, creating works prized for both scientific accuracy and artistic beauty. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 79.

The collection, amassed over forty years by a Bedfordshire family, will be auctioned by Cheffins in Cambridge on 17 September.

Highlights include a majestic bald eagle poised against a snowy landscape, studies of owls, British songbirds, and birds of prey. Individual pieces, such as a Pied Wagtail standing in a reflective pond, demonstrate Bond’s meticulous attention to detail and his affection for avian subjects.
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Patricia Cross, an associate at Cheffins, noted, “Each of Bond’s paintings reflects his precision and deep love for wildlife. His Suffolk surroundings weren’t just a backdrop - they shaped his work and inspired him to create havens for birds around his home, turning the land itself into a living studio.”

Birdwatchers will find particular delight in the collection’s detailed studies of Great Grey Owls, owls in autumnal trees, and other species native to the UK. Many of these pieces offer a chance to appreciate not just the beauty of the birds but also their natural behaviours and habitats, immortalised through Bond’s art.

For those who have long admired British birds and wildlife art, this auction represents both a chance to own a piece of avian artistry and a celebration of one of the UK’s most beloved bird illustrators.
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