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Bird House--Ceramic Stoneware--Clapboard design for Chickadees

Bird House--Ceramic Stoneware--Clapboard design for Chickadees

Description

NOTE: This house has been on my site for a long time, and noticed and commented on by many Etsians. Everyone who has seen it in person just loves it. If it does not sell over the holidays, I will most likely take it off my site and put it out in my own yard in time for spring nesting season. I have the perfect spot for it, but until then, I'd be happy to sell it to someone else for their own perfect spot. It's a pretty house, and necessarily expensive due to the time involved and expense of materials and firing. I know that many people have commented on how nice it is, and it has appeared in at least one treasury. I think it must be the poor economy hindering me in the sale of this bird house.

DESCRIPTION: A charming little bird house, hand built in stoneware clay, carved to resemble a clapboard house with a "slate" roof. Overall outer dimensions 10" tall x 4 3/4" wide. Roof is about 6" wide from side to side. Interior dimensions: The hole is circular, and 1 1/4" in diameter. This is large enough for chickadees, and small enough to exclude House Sparrows. The interior diameter is about 4 ", height of hole above floor about 6 1/4", and total interior height is about 9".

Cone 9/10, high fire stoneware, glazed on the exterior, unglazed interior. The roof tiles are glazed with 5 different glazes, and look very much like natural slate. This house is safe for year round, freeze/thaw, outdoor use. There are 4 holes in the bottom for drainage, and a hole in the bottom center for a mounting screw (brass screw included). Cleverly designed roof slides off for cleaning.

NORTH AMERICA: This bird house is designed with the proper dimensions for Chickadees--either Black-capped or Carolina. Chickadees are common backyard birds throughout much of the United States and Canada. They are easy to attract, and will readily nest in bird houses. I believe this house should also be suitable for the Mountain Chickadee of the western US and Canada, Chestnut-backed of the Pacific Northwest, and the Mexican Chickadee--but I have no personal experience with these species.
EUROPE: There are also small birds of Europe like the Great Tit, Tree Sparrow, and Pied Flycatcher that might find a perfect nesting place here.

Most hand made ceramic bird houses do not have the correct dimensions for birds, and are more ornamental in nature. I take care to make mine functional, and practical. I calculate for kiln shrinkage, and throw mine larger, and cut the entrance holes larger so that they will shrink to the correct size after firing. The hole is placed high enough to allow room for the nest below.

It is best to mount this house outside in winter, or very early spring, before the breeding season begins. This will give the birds a chance to get accustomed to it before the breeding season begins. Pairs may begin looking for nesting places as early as late February, so it's best to have the house out and available before then. You can place this house as low as 6 feet, but higher is better. Partially filling it with sawdust may also be helpful in attracting chickadees--especially Black-capped.

NOTE ON SHIPPING: I may be able to give give a $5-$10 refund on shipping to buyers in Pennsylvania or nearby states. Just ask, and I'll let you know. The $20 rate covers shipping to west coast destinations.

Added on Dec 16, 2009