Mechanical Singing Bird Movement

A Reuge mechanical bird is composed of 44 parts, some of which are crafted using traditional machining techniques, CNC machining, or even metal 3D printing.
Each bird can be customized in various ways—traditionally feathered, engraved, polished, or set with gemstones—giving every creation its own unique personality.

Each mechanical bird is meticulously assembled by hand in our workshop. Once mounted, the head can rotate from +35° to approximately –35°. The beak, carefully installed in the upper section, can open to a maximum angle of about 34°. The entire assembly is attached to a body composed of two shells, with the wings and tail having a respective range of motion of 12° and 5°.

To help it blend seamlessly into its future home and emphasize its unique traits, the bird is decorated with handcrafted techniques like polishing, engraving, gem-setting, gilding, and feathering, giving each one a truly personalized touch.

After a careful technical and visual inspection, the bird is sent to either the feather application workshop or the final assembly.

The artisan meticulously selects each feather based on color, texture, sheen, and its placement on the bird’s body. Larger feathers are preferred for the tail and wings, while finer feathers are reserved for the head.

Applying the feathers requires over 8 hours of meticulous work. With extraordinary patience, the artisan carefully attaches each one, starting with the tail and wings, followed by the body and head. Using a highly specialized technique, the artisan layers a variety of feathers to create unique plumage, giving each bird its own distinct character.

The final result must be both harmonious and functional, ensuring that the automaton moves with fluidity and grace.

The bedplate and various movement components, such as the cams and barrel, are machined using the method best suited to their shape, size, and function.

Using a key, the spring inside the barrel is wound up, storing energy as it coils tighter and tighter. When the mechanism is activated, the spring unwinds, gradually releasing this stored energy to drive the singing bird’s various mechanical movements.

There is a cam circuit on each side of the barrel.
On one side, the cams control the head wheel, allowing the bird’s head to rotate.
On the other, you have the song cams: one for each bird’s song and another for the intermittent singing when the birds “converse” with each other. These cams open and close the air valve of the bellows, controlling the flow of air to the whistle pipe and modulating the bird’s song.

The bellows are composed of a machined aluminum frame covered in leather, with an internal flap that moves back and forth. The leather used is of a special kind, as it must be both fine and durable to withstand the constant movement. To create the bellows, three pieces of leather are carefully cut, treated, laminated, and then assembled onto the frame. This process demands extreme precision, as even the smallest flaw could cause air to leak, compromising sound quality. The bellows are inflated by drawing in surrounding air through a system of valves.

The whistle pipe mechanism is composed of a piston with an internal rod, a tone plug, a valve, and a return spring. By controlling a small opening at the base of the cylinder through which air arrives from the bellows, this system both modulates the volume and produces the full range of low and high notes.

First, pins, pillars, and levers are mounted onto the bedplate. Then, the barrel with its cams, along with the bellows and whistle pipe, are assembled onto the upper plate.

Once the assembly and adjustments are complete, the bird is ready to be placed in its carefully crafted perch. The upper section, which houses the bird, is then attached to the mechanism for final adjustments and finishing touches—to ensure the automaton’s movements are precise and harmonious, and that its mechanical song is always exceptional.