No. 2 — The Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Hand-carved songbird by Geoffrey “G.B.” Davis

Materials: White Pine, Glass, Steel, Hickory Branch, and Found Wood
Dimensions: 5 1/2" L × 2 3/4" W × 7 1/4" H
Finish: Traditional milk paint, waxed and buffed
Status: Available

Description
The Red-winged Blackbird is one of the first true signs of spring in Indiana. Unlike robins, which often linger through the winter, these birds migrate long distances and return in early spring. The males arrive first, staking out territory weeks before the females appear, and can often be seen perched on cattails along ditches, ponds, and marshes. Their unmistakable “conk-la-ree!” call carries across wetlands and fields, announcing that winter is finally loosening its grip.

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.