No. 27 — The Wood Thrush (Hylocichla mustelina)
Hand-carved songbird by Geoffrey “G.B.” Davis

Materials: White Pine, Glass, Steel, and Maple
Dimensions: 6 1/2" L × 2 1/2" W × 4" H
Finish: Traditional milk paint, waxed and buffed
Status: Available

Description
Wood Thrushes are considered by many to be a true harbinger of spring. When the day begins, they fill the forest with one of the most beautiful songs in North American birding. They often stay well hidden on the forest floor, quietly moving through the understory and blending perfectly with the leaf litter. Even when the bird remains unseen, the song more than makes up for it.

About the Project
This bird is part of 50 Little Birds, a collection of hand-carved Indiana songbirds by artist Geoffrey “G.B.” Davis. Each bird represents a species found in Indiana and is inspired by the artist’s personal encounters with birds in the field. Carved from softwoods and painted with traditional milk paints, the birds are small objects meant to be held, studied, and shared. In this collection, every bird has a story.

Closer
Each bird in the series is offered as an individual piece, but together they reflect an ongoing body of work shaped by observation, memory, and a lifelong love of birds.

Availability
Each bird is carved and painted by hand. If this particular bird has already found a home, I am always happy to carve another for you. Because every bird is handmade, each will have its own unique character.

Small note: the Wood Thrush description works really well in the series because you already have a few birds about sound rather than sight (Ovenbird, White-throated Sparrow). It creates a subtle thread in the project: many of these birds are first experienced through their songs. 🐦