No. 15 — The American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)
Hand-carved songbird by Geoffrey “G.B.” Davis

Materials: White Pine, Glass, Steel, Found Maple Hemisphere, Found Pine, and Leather
Dimensions: 6" L × 3 1/4" W × 7" H
Finish: Traditional milk paint, waxed and buffed
Status: Available

Description
Male American Redstarts are striking birds, their bold black and orange coloring making them easy to recognize when they appear. They are also known for constantly flashing and fanning their tails. This behavior serves two purposes: attracting and impressing potential mates, and flushing small insects from the leaves and branches where they hunt for food high in the forest canopy.

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.