From Coal Bin to Sleep In
This Hammered Copper Coal Bin Birdhouse was creator Brian Carlisle’s first every “upcycled” birdhouse. Some used copper from a stained glass supply was segmented to follow the diameter of the bird hole. The perch is the handle from the coal bin and the awning is a piece of aluminum siding shingle. The copper chimney was made from old plumbing parts, while old typewriter keys — which form the word “F-L-Y” — are fastened around the belly of the bin.
For more info: GadgetSponge.com.
Copper For the Chirpers
This birdhouse began as a simple retail vase that was on clearance. Creator Brian Carlisle then incorporated parts from the garage, including the silver-plate roof, a pot lid for the base and a piece of aluminum awning accessory for the roof over the hole and the perch. A copper finish cup cut from a rain chain rounds out the project. “This was a quick project to just keep in the backyard as an experiment,” says Carlisle.
For more info: GadgetSponge.com.
Cornflower Cozy
Happenstance brought a great cornflower-colored license plate into the hands of creator Brian Carlisle, which became the inspiration for this birdhouse project. Silver-toned accessories compliment the cornflower color. A cut napkin ring forms the awning, which a vintage garden faucet handles makes a fine perch. The birdhouse top is a collage of a small percolator lid, a piece from a a silver-plate candlestick and some old rabies dog tags.
For more info: GadgetSponge.com.
Bird on a Red Steel Roof
This 5-foot wide, red steel-roofed birdhouse was built by Belgrave, Ontario-based hobbyist John Looser. Made from 120-year-old reclaimed barn wood, the design was inspired by sightseeing of old feed mills. “This one is very popular with the birds,” says Looser.
Swiss Style Birdhouse
This chalet-style birdhouse was built from reclaimed, 100-year-old hemlock that was harvested from an old barn floor. The wood was run through a planer to give it a fresh, new look. Measuring about 4-feet-square, the birdhouse took builder John Looser three days to finish. The balconies on the front and back add an inspired touch to the design.
For more info: ExtremeBirdhouse.com
Church-Inspired Birdhouse
Also made from 100-year old barn wood, this majestic, cathedral-like birdhouse was inspired by a church in Guelph, Ontario. The 6-foot tall structure features 70 rooms and solid steel railings. “It’s built to last,” says creator John Looser. Because he used recycled wood from a nearby barn, Looser built the birdhouse for next to nothing, spending money only on nails.
For more info: ExtremeBirdhouse.com
Federal Syle Replica
This custom-made Federal building replica was handcrafted over almost 60 hours of benchwork. The birdhouse is crafted from milled eastern pine and fastened and joined using exterior grade screws and glue. Both ventilation and drainage holes keep the winged occupants safe while removable panels allow for easy cleaning access.
For more info: NewEnglandBirdhouse.com
Bonjour, Birds
Oo-la-la! Suitable for even the most refined of birds, Le Chalet features two separate interior cavities with balcony entrances on each end. The roof is western red cedar shingle and the birdhouse body is made of kiln-dried hardwood. The dark yellow finish serves as a handsome final touch, as do the window and door moldings, Juliet balconies and the detailed picket fence. The back wall also removes for easy cleaning.
For more info: Homebazaarinc.com
Custom-Built Replica
This custom replica birdhouse was modeled after a cottage built on “Playfair Island” in Ontario, Canada. Oversized windows, an eye-catching roof line and a wrap-around deck standout on this project. Exterior grade materials were assembled using traditional joinery methods. Three nesting chambers are found inside through the copper-line entry holes.
For more info: NewEnglandBirdhouse.com
Barn Swallow Not Included
The Star Barn Birdhouse is a replica of the iconic Folk Art “Star Barn” of Middletown, PA, found in the heart of Amish Country. A fully functional birdhouse, the Star Barn has an exterior made from ply-board and a roof composed of pine shingles. The interior is divided into 2 nest compartments, and the 1 1/4 inch hole openings are an invitation to wrens, finches, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches. Note the foundation trim–those are real river stones!
For more info: Homebazaarinc.com
Medieval Bird Castle
These royal dwellings are as permanent and lasting as the originals they celebrate. Intended for year round outdoor ornamentation in your garden or yard, the upper tier is for feeding, while the drawbridge is a avian knight’s entryway to the lower chamber for residence. Hand thrown and made of high fired stoneware clay.
For more information: Email Barnstable Pottery
Byzantine Cathedral
A whimsical variation on St. Basil’s domed cathedral in Moscow. This birdhouse feeder is not limited to Cardinals and is intended for year round feeding and nesting. The bright colors tend to attract smaller songbirds. Hand thrown and made of high fired stoneware clay.
For more information: Email Barnstable Pottery