Cedar Bluebird House with Feeding Tray

Cedar Bluebird House with Feeding Tray

Every piece we make is made to order. We build birdhouses from cedar because it is the classic wood for the job. It stands up to rain and sun without paint or chemicals, and it weathers to a soft silver-gray over time. This design pairs a nest box with a feeding tray on a single backboard, so it works as both a home and a stop-off for the birds in your yard.

The roof overhangs the entrance to keep rain out, and the feeding tray is a shallow open box at the base of the board for seed, suet crumbles, or mealworms. Because each piece is made to order, the grain, color, and figure will vary from board to board, so your birdhouse will not match these photos exactly. That variation is the mark of a handmade piece, not a defect.

Features

• Solid cedar, naturally resistant to rot and insects, left unfinished so it is safe for nesting birds.
• Overhanging roof that sheds rain away from the entrance.
• Open feeding tray below the nest box for seed, suet, or mealworms.
• Tall backboard that mounts to a tree or post with screws.

Make It Yours

We can add an engraving on the roof or backboard, such as a family name, a date, or an “In memory of” message. We can also size the entrance for a different species on request.

Materials and Construction

We mill rough cedar boards, edge-glue the wider parts, and cut each piece on the table saw and miter saw. We bore the entrance with a hole saw, add a hardwood dowel for the perch, and assemble the box with exterior glue and stainless fasteners. We leave the wood unfinished, because paints and sealers can be harmful to nesting birds.

The Story Behind This Piece

Our first one went up on a pine tree at the edge of the yard. A good birdhouse is one of those projects that keeps giving back long after the sawdust is swept up: every spring brings new tenants to the one we put up that first year.

Care and Keeping

We build this piece to live outdoors, and like any outdoor wood it will slowly weather. Cedar naturally resists rot and insects and turns a soft silver-gray when left unfinished. We rinse off dirt and debris once or twice a year, and we clean out old nesting material each year after the nesting season. We mount the box 5 to 6 feet off the ground, facing away from the prevailing winds.

Build Time, Shipping, and Delivery

Every piece is made to order. If you would like to see the layout and lettering first, ask for a digital proof in your order notes and we will send one before we start. We plan on a few days to build and finish your piece once your order is placed, and a layered or heavily personalized piece can take longer. Shipping time is in addition to the build time.

If you have a firm date, such as a retirement, birthday, or holiday, tell us when you order and we will tell you honestly whether we can meet it. We do not guarantee rush work. For a gift, tell us the date you need it by and we can ship it directly to the recipient.

We pack every piece carefully for the trip. We calculate shipping at checkout based on your address. For orders of $75 or more within 25 miles of Charleston, West Virginia, we may offer free local delivery. We are a private shop, so we do not offer pickup or workshop visits. West Virginia sales tax applies to orders delivered in West Virginia.

Good to Know

No two are alike. Wood grain, color, knots, and figure vary from board to board, so your piece will not match these photos exactly. These photos show a piece we made earlier; we build yours new, to your details. Because we make personalized pieces to your details, custom and personalized items cannot be returned. If anything arrives damaged, contact us with photos of the piece and its packaging and we will make it right.

Frequently Asked Questions

What birds will use it? Chickadees, titmice, and wrens may nest in it, and the tray will attract many seed-eating birds. Tell us the species you have in mind and we can size the entrance for it.

Should a cedar house be painted? No. Leave it natural. Cedar does not need a finish, and paint or stain can be harmful to the birds.

Will the design be reviewed before cutting? If you would like, ask for a digital proof in your order notes. We send it showing the layout and lettering, and we do not start cutting until you approve it.

Can it be ordered as a gift? Yes. Tell us at checkout or in your message that it is a gift and include the date you need it by. We can ship it directly to the recipient.