Keith Bowen (UK, B. 1950) "Redwing Thrush" Signed lower left. Original Chalk on Construction Paper. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the Great Britain 33p Wintertime Redwing Thrush stamp issued January 14, 1992. Large, stout and sturdy-legged, the redwing is an annual winter visitor to Britain. True thrushes are found on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. This thrush family member most commonly occurs in Scandinavia and north Russia, but seeks more hospitable environments during harsh northern winters. Spotted-breasted like other thrush relatives, the redwing sports reddish-brown wings and flanks. It inhabits open grasslands and farmlands, where remnants of spring cultivation still yield respectable harvests of insect life. The redwing digs up its food, and frozen ground means that a sizable number of these birds perish during excessively frigid winters. As winters wanes and the weather warms, the redwing flies northward to nest. The redwing nest resembles a grass cup and can be found on the ground or in trees and shrubs. Its foundation is comprised of twigs and earth, and the female somtimes embellishes it with lichen or moss. In early summer she lays from four to six eggs which are blue-green in color and are flecked with reddish-brown markings. She incubates for approximately two weeks, and the hatchlings are fed by both parents for 14 days thereafter. This artwork features an image of this unadorned member of the thrush family, which remains one of Britain's most vocal wintertime visitors. Image Size: 18 x 21 in. Overall Size: 22 x 26 in. Unframed. (B13556) See More