No. 16 — The Northern Parula (Setophaga americana)
Hand-carved songbird by Geoffrey “G.B.” Davis

Materials: White Pine, Glass, Steel, and Maple
Dimensions: 5 1/2" L × 2 1/2" W × 3 1/4" H
Finish: Traditional milk paint, waxed and buffed
Status: Available

Description
One afternoon while traveling the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, I woke from a short nap under a tree and heard a buzzy rising song drifting through the woods. Northern Parula immediately came to mind. Before that moment I had never seen or heard one in the field, but I had spent the previous winter and spring studying birdsong in preparation for the trip.

The purpose of that solo journey was to bird across New England and into Quebec and focus on warblers. In Indiana we only get a few brief days to see most warblers during migration, but in the North many remain for the summer. The trees were fully leafed out, making them difficult to see, so learning their songs became essential. Hearing that Parula was the moment I realized I was beginning to understand birdsong in a deeper way—that I was becoming literate in 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.