Tennessee Warbler by Talisa Almonte

Listen to the bird in this mural!

About the Mural: In this mural by artist Talisa Almonte, a Tennessee Warbler perches among blooms of native Joe-pye weed, swamp milkweed, and obedient plant. As part of the Audubon Mural Project—a public-art initiative drawing attention to birds that are vulnerable to extinction from climate change—NYC Parks’ Art in the Parks program and NYC Parks GreenThumb worked with the National Audubon Society, Gitler &_____ Gallery, and local artists to design murals in community gardens across the city. Through a collaborative process between the partners, artist, and garden group, each mural was designed to feature climate-threatened birds as well as native plants that birds depend on for food and shelter. By creating vibrant urban green spaces, community gardeners provide essential support for birds and people. Explore more murals from the collaboration here.

This mural was created with Dolorinda Lisante Community Garden, a small pocket of green space sandwiched between two buildings in Melrose. The community garden, one of the first in the area, was founded in the 1980s by a “very feisty” neighbor who saved the space from a development project by heckling mayor Ed Koch, says current garden president Ivo Rachev. Though the space is too small and shaded to produce many vegetables, gardeners grow green herbs and flowers like roses and boxwoods, Rachev says: “We do the best we can with what we’re given.” He hopes the new mural can add to the bright hues that draw people into the garden and encourage them to learn more about local nature. “We need more color in the south Bronx,” Rachev says.

About the Bird: The Tennessee Warbler is a petite species with a surprisingly loud song, a three-part series of staccato notes. It can be found in Tennessee only briefly, during migration, when it travels between the boreal forest and Central and South America. The birds, with their plain yellow-green coloring, hop around treetops in search of caterpillars and other insects.

Though the warblers’ populations can rise and fall depending on outbreaks of their insect prey, the species generally appears to be faring well. However, climate change poses a looming threat: The species could lose nearly 70 percent of its current summer range if warming continues at its current pace, according to Audubon’s Survival By Degrees report. Taking action to limit warming can help ensure the birds can thrive on a wider range of habitats. Meanwhile, maintaining green spaces like community gardens—and filling them with native plants—can offer essential spots for the birds to rest and refuel on their journeys.

For artist Talisa Almonte, a fan of “small, pudgy birds,” picking this species was a no-brainer: “As soon as I saw the Tennessee Warbler, I thought it was too cute not to highlight in my piece,” she says. The mural scene also features monarch butterflies, which often flit around the community garden’s colorful plant life.

About the Artist: A muralist, illustrator, and visual storyteller, Talisa Almonte builds joyful, imaginative experiences through art. Known for her playful compositions and surreal floral landscapes, she creates work that transforms spaces, energizes brands, and invites people to see the world a little more brightly. From large-scale murals and illustrated campaigns to creative partnerships and painted objects, Almonte Studio brings a distinct point of view to every project, rooted in collaboration, community, and creative freedom. 

Working on this garden mural “felt like being in a little oasis from city life,” Almonte says. She wanted to celebrate and draw attention to these species by showing them on this larger-than-life scale. “I hope that when people look at the piece and maybe admire it for it being a pop of color in the middle of the city, that they can appreciate the bird and plant species depicted and hopefully have a deeper appreciation for the species that inhabit the earth,” Almonte says.