No. 3 — The Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris)
Hand-carved songbird by Geoffrey “G.B.” Davis

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

Description
The Horned Lark is a winter visitor from the north and is rarely seen by most people. I often hear them—even in my own neighborhood—without ever spotting them. The few times I have seen them clearly, they were in mixed flocks with snow buntings and longspurs in open agricultural fields where they spend the winter feeding on spilled grain and seeds scattered across the frozen ground.

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 birder detail you might appreciate: Horned Larks are actually one of the few true grassland birds that can be found in Indiana year-round, but the big winter flocks with Snow Buntings and longspurs are what most birders remember.

If you want, I can also help you write a really strong “winter birds” voice for birds like Horned Lark, Snow Bunting, and Lapland Longspur so those descriptions share a subtle seasonal feel. 🐦❄️