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This woodcarving was
completed in 1999. It is a
representation of a
"Carpintero" endemic to the
Island of Puerto Rico.
Melanerpes portoricensis is
a bird similar in size to the
North American Red
Headed woodpecker. In
fact they both belong to the
same genus. The bird was
crafted out of a round log of
mahogany, Swietenia
macrophylla , a species
native to Honduras. The
carving was carried out as
a single piece, with no parts
added to the bird body. The
bird appears perched on a
life size natural hole
"carved" by a wild
woodpecker on a Teak,
Tectona grandis, branch
section.
completed in 1999. It is a
representation of a
"Carpintero" endemic to the
Island of Puerto Rico.
Melanerpes portoricensis is
a bird similar in size to the
North American Red
Headed woodpecker. In
fact they both belong to the
same genus. The bird was
crafted out of a round log of
mahogany, Swietenia
macrophylla , a species
native to Honduras. The
carving was carried out as
a single piece, with no parts
added to the bird body. The
bird appears perched on a
life size natural hole
"carved" by a wild
woodpecker on a Teak,
Tectona grandis, branch
section.
| Did you know? Woodpeckers roost inside cavities year round. Also, although zygodactylous as parrots are, their feet are not used as a "hand" to hold food. Their flexible toes are more specialized for climbing and holding on to the side of tree trunks. |
This carving is a representation of a very well
liked little bird that inhabits many of the
Caribbean Islands. The Bananaquit, Coereba
flaveola or "Reinita" as it is known to most in
the Island of Puerto Rico, belongs to the
Honeycreepers group. This active bird is often
seen creeping on the inflorescence of the
banana trees and well ripen sweet fruits.
This life size bird carved in 1992 was crafted
as one piece from a dry branch of Honduras
Mahogany. Individual feather groups were cut
and detail was applied with a wood burning pen.
Acrylic washes were applied to create the
desired look. The round mahogany base was
added later.
liked little bird that inhabits many of the
Caribbean Islands. The Bananaquit, Coereba
flaveola or "Reinita" as it is known to most in
the Island of Puerto Rico, belongs to the
Honeycreepers group. This active bird is often
seen creeping on the inflorescence of the
banana trees and well ripen sweet fruits.
This life size bird carved in 1992 was crafted
as one piece from a dry branch of Honduras
Mahogany. Individual feather groups were cut
and detail was applied with a wood burning pen.
Acrylic washes were applied to create the
desired look. The round mahogany base was
added later.
| Did you know? The Bananaquit also feeds on small insects and it often roosts in empty nests. |
| Bananaquit Coereba flaveola |
This carving was crafted in 1992 out of an old dry
round of Honduras Mahogany. It is a representation
of a small member of the Trochilidae family. The
Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Orthorhyncus
cristatus, at 3.5 inches is one of the smallest birds in
the world.
The carving depicts a male individual resting on a
small dried out branch. This carving as well as those
before required the use of very small hand tools to
accomplish. No power tools of any kind were utilized.
Both the bird and base are one solid piece. A drawing
from the Birds of the West Indies by James Bond,
and personal glimpses on the Island of Culebra, were
used as reference.
round of Honduras Mahogany. It is a representation
of a small member of the Trochilidae family. The
Antillean Crested Hummingbird, Orthorhyncus
cristatus, at 3.5 inches is one of the smallest birds in
the world.
The carving depicts a male individual resting on a
small dried out branch. This carving as well as those
before required the use of very small hand tools to
accomplish. No power tools of any kind were utilized.
Both the bird and base are one solid piece. A drawing
from the Birds of the West Indies by James Bond,
and personal glimpses on the Island of Culebra, were
used as reference.
| Did you know? This small hummingbird sports a conspicuous crest that shines with iridescent green and blue shades. |
The Tody is an insectivorous bird who
patiently awaits it's prey sitting on a suitable
branch close to the nesting cavity. A cavity
nester, the Tody digs a deep hole on the wall
of a dirt embankment were it lays the egg
clutch.
| Did you know? The Tody's Species name derives from a collection identification error |
| Did you know? Previous to the Spanish colonization, 600 years ago, the native inhabitants of the Island, the Tainos, referred to the parrot as Iguaca. Possibly, an onomatopoeic rendition of a call the parrots made. |
I remember my dream life event as a kid was to get
to work as a biologist to help save the Puerto Rican
parrot, Amazona vittata, from extinction. Little did I
know, decades later I would be directly involved in the
development, establishment and direction of a facility
dedicated to the captive breeding and protection of
the gene pool of this highly endangered species.
The Puerto Rican parrot carving was crafted in 1993
during that period of 11 years in which I served as
project leader. The work consumed me, as I had little
time to dedicate to entertainment. This carving was
completed in less than four months. It was carved out
of a solid block of Honduras Mahogany, measuring
35 inches in length by 16 inches in diameter. The
wood had been harvested by the forestry department
that managed the forest reserve our facility was part
of.
Honduras Mahogany is not endemic to the Island of
Puerto Rico. It is, as the name suggests, a Central
American species. It was introduced to Puerto Rico
for it's economic value and fast rate of growth. The
down side is, it is not a species from the hurricane
belt, therefore, did not evolve deep roots that would
anchor it firmly to the ground during hurricane force
winds.
to work as a biologist to help save the Puerto Rican
parrot, Amazona vittata, from extinction. Little did I
know, decades later I would be directly involved in the
development, establishment and direction of a facility
dedicated to the captive breeding and protection of
the gene pool of this highly endangered species.
The Puerto Rican parrot carving was crafted in 1993
during that period of 11 years in which I served as
project leader. The work consumed me, as I had little
time to dedicate to entertainment. This carving was
completed in less than four months. It was carved out
of a solid block of Honduras Mahogany, measuring
35 inches in length by 16 inches in diameter. The
wood had been harvested by the forestry department
that managed the forest reserve our facility was part
of.
Honduras Mahogany is not endemic to the Island of
Puerto Rico. It is, as the name suggests, a Central
American species. It was introduced to Puerto Rico
for it's economic value and fast rate of growth. The
down side is, it is not a species from the hurricane
belt, therefore, did not evolve deep roots that would
anchor it firmly to the ground during hurricane force
winds.
| Did you know? Parrots have a distinct toe orientation, zygodactylic, two toes directed towards the front and two towards the back, that enables them to use their feet as if they were "hands" to support food items as they are consumed. |
| Photo by José Colón |
| Main food source is the Sierra Palm |
| Watercolour by José Rodríguez-Vélez |
| For comments about this website E-mail jose@birdofwood.com or birdofwood@yahoo.com |
| Puerto Rican Woodpecker |
| Antillean Crested Hummingbird |
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| Puerto Rican Parrot Habitat at the Caribbean National Forest, El Yunque |
| Puerto Rican Tody |
| Puerto Rican Parrot |
| Puerto Rican Tody (Todus mexicanus), a diminutive insectivorous bird common in the forests of Puerto Rico. This one is made out of Chestnut and is designed to be hanged on a wall or beam. Personal Collection |
An Amphibian -Not-A-Bird- but made out from
a piece of wood while on shop keeping
duties at the art gallery. Slimy is Gone!
Found his Princess.
a piece of wood while on shop keeping
duties at the art gallery. Slimy is Gone!
Found his Princess.