No. 18 — The Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
Hand-carved songbird by Geoffrey “G.B.” Davis

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

Description
Eastern Towhees are among the most colorful members of the sparrow family. They made a strong impression on my early birding experiences in Indiana’s Shades State Park. Towhees are often visible in the lower branches or nearby understory, scratching through the leaves and occasionally perching where they can be easily seen. Their cheerful song—often remembered as “drink your tea!”—is one of the sounds that helped shape my early training as a birder.

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.