Our Philosophy
about building
Birdhouses & Birdfeeders

Building Birdhouses, Birdfeeders & Wild Bird Care

Dear Bird Lovers,

Our philosophy about building birdhouses and birdfeeders developed some time ago.  We live next to the Columbia River north of Kettle Falls, Washington. Our small 5+ acre mini farm is sort of our personal bird sanctuary. In 2000, as best we can tell, we had 18 renters in our birdhouses and they graced us with approximately 45 new born; robins, tree swallows, western bluebirds, nuthatches, and wrens. The bluebirds had three hatches that year.   They all paid their rent on time. Songs, aerobatics, and insect cleanup (garden patrol) were their primary payment, and did we have the grasshoppers during that time.

Our fields and trees provided additional nesting areas for the following wild birds: hummingbirds, mourning doves, meadow larks, killdeers, king birds, fly catchers and western tanagers.   In addition we've had several hundred other wild birds (over 60 species) stop by to enjoy a meal at our bird feeders or just to say hi by singing a song.  Again, the payment was always paid in full. Why all this nonessential information?  Let us explain.

Our first 'bought' birdhouse (years ago) didn't do to well.  It was real cute but made of thin plywood, no vents, drains, clean outs and a hole that was 2 1/4" in diameter and only 2" above the nesting area, one baby fell out and we lost others to heat and predators (cats, starlings and ravens could reach right inside).  We have found that some of our wild birds had built nest 4" deep, letting the little nestling fall out long before they were ready to become fledglings.  We actually felt like we had committed these little ones to an oven and certain death.  It didn't take us long before we realized that putting up a birdhouse was a serious responsibility, if you really care about the wild birds.

After much research, we could not find both well constructed birdhouse and the style that would fit into our natural mini farm landscaping.  So we started building our own birdhouses, our way, yet following the guidelines provided by the Audubon Society and US Fish and Wildlife.  It didn't take long before we realized that building birdhouses was a lot easier said, than done.  How could something so simple become so complex?   The reason it wasn't easy for us is because we wanted something that would last, fit into our backyard naturally, and provide security, safety and comfort for the birds. So part after birdhouse part went to the burn pile, it wasn't working to just wing building a birdhouse, so back to the drafting board, kitchen table, and forty hours later and many discussions about the kitchen table, building birdhouses started to come together.

How to make something so small with such thick boards, getting all the vents holes for circulation just right, drainage holes in the right place, the birds entrance hole and height the correct size, make it easy to clean and mounting, and still make the birdhouse attractive for our backyard.  It was a real challenge.  It didn't take us long before we realized that the time and materials spent, initially, was making our birdhouse very costly just to us.  However, when we saw the results, it was worth it.

This brings us to the present. Our landscaping was best served with old country homes and old barns. Word got around and our local antique and gift store (tourist attraction) started buying them, then the feed store, next came some locations in Spokane, finally, over to Seattle.  However, wholesale prices were producing an income below minimum wages.  So, we decided to sell our birdhouses and birdfeeders on "The Internet" in 1998.  We started get emails and phone calls from other internet businesses and now have some wholesalers that use our drop shipment program.

We thought long and hard about inexpensive units or the cute Deco type birdhouses, but just couldn't bring ourselves to do it.  We really love building birdhouses and birdfeeders and will not compromise the construction, the detail work, and the aesthetic character of these units.  We know there is a market for our birdhouses and birdfeeders, even though they are a little expensive, we know you pay for what you get.  Ours are individually hand crafted and as you will see, labor intensive, some with over a 100 parts and 100's of cuts including simulated board or log grooves, and some with simulated cedar shingles and 100's of drilled pilot holes for nails and screws.

Most of our customers are the serious backyard birding birders that want the best and designs that are compatible with their backyard. Our goal is to maintain quality, acceptable standards (both Audubon and U.S. Fish and Wildlife) and a rustic county uniqueness.

We are thinking of designing and building simple line of birdhouses in the future.  We are thinking of a privy birdhouse (bluebird-out-house), and a nuthatch chalet birdhouse.  We are also considering two new upper end models.  A old farm house with dormers birdfeeder and a ten stall (nests) purple martin horse barn birdhouse, and we are still thinking as of 2008. 

We look forward to hearing from you. Happy backyard birding and take care of your wild birds.