Ceramic Bird Houses

A quick study of the birding blogs shows a large number of cheerfully occupied ceramic birdhouses.  First of all, clay is known to have strong insulation properties.  Most bird lovers compensate for temperature concerns by keeping the house in a shaded spot during the summer and bringing them inside when the weather turns too cold.  There are no reports of dead nestlings discovered during the end-of-season cleanout.  I recommend that you find one that appeals to you and suits the needs of your favorite birds and give it a try.  Of course you could also place a few wooden birdhouses out at the same time to offer your avian guests their choice of accommodations.

Hand-crafted by skilled potters, ceramic birdhouses offer the perfect addition for the indoor collection.  These ceramic pieces come in different shapes and sizes; however, they are often found in very simple shapes and designs such as an egg or a bottle.  More elaborate designs are certainly available.  In my opinion, the most amazing aspect of ceramic birdhouses is the variety of vibrant colors and color blends that these skilled artisans use to finish these pieces.  Bird lovers that maintain an indoor collection of birdhouses for decorative purposes should consider the vibrant colors and aesthetic appeal that these pieces offer. 

If you do buy ceramic bird houses, the same safety and size rules apply. For example, do not get a ceramic bird house that is painted in dark colors, this is going to make the inside of the bird house too hot. Also, do not buy a house that has a perch. The birds do not need it and it will only make it easier for a predator to gain access to the house. Also you will need to get one with an entrance hole that is the right size for the type of bird you want to attract. If it is too big, then more aggressive birds could invade and take over the nest and if it is too small, then the birds will simply not be able to fit in. Remember that the size of the opening is a key security feature for birds.  An opening size of 1-1/8 inch can generally accommodate most chickadees and wrens.  An opening of 1-1/2 inch will generally accommodate most bluebirds, titmice and nuthatches.  Most of these small cavity nesting birds prefer floor space of roughly 4 x 4 inches.

Other practical considerations that apply to ceramic birdhouse selection include drainage, ventilation and access for cleaning.  All birdhouses should have adequate drainage holes in the floor to prevent standing water after the rain.  All birdhouses should have ventilation near the top in order to allow heat to escape in the summer and also to help moisture to evaporate.  Finally all practical birdhouses should allow access for inspection of nests and also removal of old nests at the end of the season.

Most ceramic birdhouses are easily mounted from a hanging wire or chain.  These are usually included.  These functional works of art can be quickly and easily hung from a tree branch, porch or shepherds hook.  This also makes them easy to move as required to keep them out of the direct sun.  Just don’t move them too far if there are nestlings inside.

When you search for a ceramic birdhouse, you are likely to see the terms ceramic, pottery and stoneware used interchangeably.  Here is the skinny.   Pottery is often described as the activity used to create ceramic art.  The artists that create ceramic art are referred to as “potters.”  In the artistic circles today, “pottery” is often considered to be an entry level skill, while “ceramics” is considered to a more finely honed craft.  Ceramic birdhouses can be made from traditional clay or stoneware. Traditional clay is fired at lower temperatures and final products are generally porous enough to absorb water and prone to chipping.  Stoneware clay on the other hand, is fired at much greater temperatures; finished products are water resistant and less likely to chip.

Wildbirdhouse,com offers a wide selection of ceramic birdhouses.  We primarily carry highly regarded birdhouses from Paul Anthony and Byer of Maine.  Paul Anthony’s products are truly unique artistic works that come in different sizes andyour choice of 6 different glazes to best suit your taste.  The openings on the Paul Anthony birdhouses range from 1-1/4 inch to 1-1/2 inch on the Bluebird Bottle.  Check out his very unique cone shaped birdhouses.  Byer of Maine offers a nice selection of egg and castle shaped bird houses; all of which have an opening of 1-1/8 inch to accommodate smaller birds.  All of our ceramic birdhouses satisfy the basic practical requirements in terms of drainage, ventilation, and cleanout access.  All of our pieces fall into the preferred category of stoneware as discussed earlier.  Of course, every piece in our selection will add a touch of elegance and class as an indoor decoration.

Ceramic birdhouses can add the “Wow Factor” to your outdoor and indoor living space while also providing a practical home for your traveling avian companions.  Consider your desired balance between aesthetic appeal and practicality and then choose accordingly.