Did you know that each bird species needs a different style of house?

The dimensions of the holes are different for different birds. Some birds, such as robins, prefer a shelf for nesting. There is no one-style-suits-all. Every species has unique nesting habits in the wild and the best nesting boxes and shelves mimic these conditions.

Those birdhouses that look like teapots or are crazy decorative are not usually attractive to birds. They may look great on your fence though!

Our birdhouse have no perches. They are in fact detrimental because they allow predators to have easier access into the nest. In fact, most cavity-nesting birds can cling to the side of the house.

The best advice on how to attract birds to a birdhouse is to offer multiple houses of several types. Of some 85 North American species that nest in cavities, only about three dozen also will nest in birdhouses. With multiple houses, the chances are good that you’ll have some winged tenants to appreciate come nesting season.

All of our birdhouses are created mindfully - for the birds! They will look great in your yard, but know as we build these, the birds are our audience.

All CommonUnity Plan B birdhouse share the following features:

• Made one at a time and truly handcrafted by us in our small shop in Everett, WA

• 1 1/4 “ and 3/4” thick wall constructed with untreated wood for insulation

• Accessible for easy cleaning

• Extended and sloped roof to keep rain out

• No perches

• Handcrafted specifically with certain birds in mind

• Included shipping in the United States with all birdhouses

our plan b

Who leaves a lucrative job that aligns with their skill set and passions with less than 10 years left on their work horizon? It appears that Kathy Solberg does. With the intention of working with people for the greater good, there was still some anxiety about the "What's Next?" I know that I need to trust and do believe in that abundance. Yet, there was a need for insurance and mortgage payments. And I do value good food.

My husband offered up the idea to alleviate my fears that “worst case scenario”, we could sell birdhouses at the end of the driveway and likely come up with enough money to cover the monthly basics. That was all I needed to move forward and create CommonUnity. And, Plan B.

I have always wanted to give myself permission to be creative. And, it brings me great joy to sit on the porch and watch birds. Last year, our birdhouse on that front porch was home to two chickadees and their babies. I could sit for hours watching them.

So, here are our birdhouses. It is very handy that Keith (the husband mentioned above) is a gifted creator and can make the most beautiful and amazing things from wood. Here is Plan B.