Feathered Stories: Painter Maria B. Galizzi’s Birding Journey
Follow watercolor artist Maria Belen Galizzi’s birdwatching journey, discovering everyday birds’ subtle wonders and capturing nature’s quiet beauty through art.
Meet Maria Belen Galizzi
In this interview for Feathered Stories, we meet Maria Belen Galizzi, a watercolor artist based in Oxfordshire, UK. At first, she simply watched the birds quietly. Over time, it became a part of her daily rhythm—a gentle pause that helped her notice the small details of the natural world.
Since 2018, birdwatching has been a steady source of inspiration for Maria. By patiently observing even the most ordinary birds, she’s discovered small moments of joy and quiet insight. In this interview, she reflects on how these simple encounters — often unfolding close to home — reveal the subtle wonders of nature.
Where Maria’s Birdwatching Journey Began
For Maria, birdwatching didn’t begin with travel or rare destinations. It started at home, with quiet moments of noticing what was already there.
“I have always been fascinated by nature and wildlife,” she says. “I started watching birds that landed in the field in front of my kitchen window. I started to pay more attention to their feather colors, their size, their behavior, and started noticing them more.”
That curiosity soon turned into a habit of careful observation — one that shaped both how Maria watched birds and how she painted them. “I’m an organised person and enjoy cataloguing stuff, so I started collecting some books that talked about European birds, and started to make a list of all the possible birds I could see in the area I live in, and started recording each sighting. This marked the start of my birdwatching journey.”
This careful way of watching birds also shaped how she approached her art. “Watching them and paying attention to their characteristics consequently helped me when sketching or painting these beautiful animals… I try to capture and share each and every single bird personality throughout my paintings.” Such attentive observation turned everyday birdwatching into both an artistic practice and a source of mindfulness for Maria.
Seeing Beauty in Every Bird
When asked about a favourite bird, Maria’s answer reflects her way of seeing the world.
“Each bird for me is special. Even if they are common birds like house sparrows, I try to at least take one moment and pay attention to all the colours I can spot on their feathers and to find specific characteristics or behaviours that make them unique.”
Still, one bird stands out in her heart and imagination: the Common Kingfisher.
“The fact that they are so elusive (I have only seen one once) makes them special and unique, and the contrast of their feathers' colours makes them absolutely captivating.”
Their rarity, combined with those flashes of blue and orange, makes every sighting feel like a small moment of luck — the kind you don’t forget, even if it lasts only seconds.
Moments That Stay With You
Certain encounters with birds leave a lasting impression, not because they are dramatic, but because they unfold quietly and unexpectedly.
“Back in 2021, there was a little racing pigeon that made a stop in my front garden. I went on and fed him some bird seeds and water, and even fed him from my hand. Some minutes later, I went out to enjoy my lavender, and ‘Bob’, the racing pigeon, was still there and started following me everywhere I walked. I knew I couldn’t feed him more as he needed to go back to his home, but I enjoyed the two days he stayed there recovering before flying away.”
That brief encounter stayed with Maria not just for the closeness it allowed, but for the gentle lesson it offered — that sometimes, caring also means knowing when to step back and let a bird find its way home.
Moments like this aren’t rare in Maria’s life — they often arrive when she least expects them, even the walks she’d taken a hundred times could suddenly deliver a little surprise.
“Last year, I was walking along the canal near my home with my husband and son, and all of a sudden, I saw a dash of blue flying between two trees. I knew immediately what it meant; a kingfisher was hiding there, so I waited a couple of minutes, and then I saw him, just a dash of blue with orange and a large beak. It was the first time in 8 years of walking there almost every week, and it all happened so quickly that I just stood there frozen. My husband and son were so happy for me as they knew what a glorious moment it was, and we just talked about it the whole way back.”
For Maria, moments like these are reminders that even familiar paths can still offer wonder — if you’re paying attention.
Maria often carries a notebook with her, capturing quiet moments during her walks — whether close to home or while traveling.
Listening Before Seeing
For Maria, birdwatching isn’t just a feast for the eyes — it’s a full-on concert for the ears.
“Wrens, robins, woodpeckers, long-tailed tits, and goldfinches are among the common birds I get to spot regularly in the fields in front of my home,” she says. Watching the birds is one thing, but sometimes the garden has its own soundtrack — and that’s when the magic really starts.
“I absolutely love those moments when I can hear a bird and identify it before I spot it. Wrens and Robins are my favourites to hear, their voice is powerful, and you can usually hear another one far away talking back.” Hearing the birds before seeing them has deepened Maria’s connection to the rhythms of her garden, turning ordinary mornings into attentive listening sessions.
A quiet moment of focus — where attention settles, much like listening to birdsong before it’s seen.
Helping When You Can
Sometimes, helping a bird doesn’t mean fixing the situation — it means choosing care over interference, even when it feels painfully limited. Maria has also experienced the fragile side of birdlife.
I work in my local school as an LA and wrap-around care supervisor,” she explains. “One morning, there was a little gold crest fledgling that was on the floor next to the school entrance.”
Together with another teacher, she took a careful, deliberate approach, knowing that every move could make a difference for the tiny fledgling. “We carefully moved him by using a plastic flower pot as we didn’t want to touch him in case his mother didn’t recognise him after, and placed him in a safe place inside the bushes so neither the kids nor the cats could get him. It broke my heart. We knew we were doing the right thing by not interfering with nature, but it broke my heart not being able to do more about him.”
The encounter stayed with her long after — a mix of relief that he was safe, and a pang of sadness at how little they could do to help him fully.
Photo by Yan Ots on Unsplash
Fascinating Behaviors, Everyday Joy
Observing bird behaviour brings Maria constant joy — mixed with moments of amused resignation — as familiar scenes play out in her garden day after day.
“Crows and ravens are exceptionally intelligent,” she says. “They are the only ones that always manage to pop open my fat ball feeder and eat everything they can.” Their clever little antics never fail to make me shake my head — these feathered masterminds turn a simple feeder into a mini escape room!
Then there are the gentler moments, the small joys that sneak up on you. “I love watching the house sparrows taking dust baths. It just puts me in a good mood to see them enjoying a nice dust patch.” As the sparrows flutter and settle into the dust, everything slows. The moment feels calm and unhurried — a small pause that brightens the day.
Photo by Alexas_Fotos on Unsplash
A Backyard Ritual
For Maria, birdwatching began as something simple — a quiet curiosity that unfolded right outside her home. Over time, her backyard transformed into a small sanctuary, where birds and daily rituals intertwined.
“My PeckPerk bird feeder is the main feature I use to attract birds,” she explains. “I placed it near some bushes so the birds can hide between feeds, and also close to a bird bath.”
The garden soon became more than just a hangout for feathered friends; it turned into a personal oasis for reflection and calm.
“I added a fat-ball feeder next to it, and now I enjoy watching the birds switch between feeders and feed while I watch from my kitchen window. In my backyard, I installed a small pot that collects rainwater so the birds can have a drink.” Those quiet mornings, with birds flitting and chirping outside her window, quietly became the gentle prologue to her day.
“I feel more motivated to wake up earlier every morning and sit with my coffee while watching the birds,” Maria says. “It became my ritual and almost like a meditation part of my day. I found it helps me clear and set my mind, especially if I want to have a productive day.”
Favorite Places and Distant Dreams
Closer to home, one place quietly anchors Maria’s birdwatching moments — a familiar setting where observation blends naturally into rest.
“There’s a beautiful lake near my house where I love to take my dog for a walk,” she says. “We often sit together on a bench, watching the birds. It feels magical, especially in autumn, when the contrast of colors is stunning. I enjoy bringing my coffee there and taking a quiet moment to relax while birdwatching.”
Birds continue to fascinate her wherever she goes, not just the rare or dramatic ones. “I find birds fascinating, even the common ones, so everywhere I go, they surprise me. Having said that, one place that I would love to visit due to its diversity in wildlife would be the Galapagos Islands.”
Every now and then, a bird sticks with you—not just for its feathers, but for the stories it inspires. “Kingfishers are my ultimate favourite bird. Any species would be a delight to spot, and I was lucky enough to spot one last year. My husband always teases me that I’d be a pigeon if I were a bird, since I can be a little clumsy sometimes. But if I could choose, I’d like to be a robin. I’d wake up early, find a good perch, and sing to brighten everyone’s day with that glorious voice they have.”
Small Actions, Lasting Impact
Maria’s PeckPerk smart bird feeder has opened new windows into her backyard ecosystem, revealing moments that surprise and delight.
“I’ve captured a curious bee flying toward the camera and a spider making its web just in front of it,” she recalls, smiling at the unexpected visitors her feeder attracts.
Maria actively supports bird conservation close to home. “I follow the RSPB and take part in almost every survey they do (like the big bird count) and help record data for tracking bird population.” If she could inspire one simple action, her advice is practical and kind. “Put a little dish with water and, if possible, a bird feeder, especially in extreme weather.
And take part in any survey that helps keep track of the population of birds in your area.”
And finally, she extends an open invitation. “I would love to hear from anyone their experiences and any tips they would like to share with me about birdwatching.”
To Maria, and To You
We’re deeply grateful to Maria Belen Galizzi for taking the time to speak with us in this interview and share her story. Through her reflections, we’ve come to see that birdwatching is more than just observing—it’s a gentle practice of noticing, connecting, and finding quiet joy in the natural world.
All images and videos shown above—except for the two with credited sources—are Maria’s original work.
You can find Maria’s artwork and birdwatching moments on：
Instagram: @roundaboutbunny
Facebook: @Roundabout Bunny
TikTok: @roundaboutbunny
Curious to read more stories from fellow bird lovers? Explore our Feathered Stories series, where birdwatchers and enthusiasts share their unique journeys and perspectives.
If Maria’s story has inspired you, we’d love to hear from you! Whether it’s a special encounter, a favorite species, or simply a quiet moment spent with nature, your story could be the next to take flight in our growing collection.