Bird's-eye Maple (Acer saccharum) is so named because the figure resembles small bird's eyes. Bird's-eye figure is a phenomenon that occurs within several kinds of wood, most notably in hard maple. The figure is reportedly caused by unfavorable growing conditions for the tree. The sugar maple attempts to start numerous new buds to get more sunlight, but with poor growing conditions the new shoots are aborted, and afterward a number of tiny knots remain. Frequently sold in veneer form, but solid lumber is available as well. Being tiny knots, the bird's-eye figure is most noticeable and pronounced on flatsawn pieces of lumber.

When working with bird's-eye wood, it is advisable to use sharp tools so as to prevent grain tear-out. It turns well on a lathe, allowing it to be shaped into decorative canes, bottle stoppers and pens. It is used in refined specialty products, such as in automobile trim, both in solid form and veneer, boxes and bowls for jewelry, thin veneer, humidors, furniture inlays, handles, guitars, and pool cues.

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