My usual Woodpecker jugbirds are the right colours but I decided that I’d like to try to replicate the long neck and broad shoulders of the real bird. So I recently threw parts for said project, including two tubes to be his feet – just to see how that would work out.

The photo shows the pieces, plus bodies for two regular jugbirds.

And here are the pieces assembled. I could have left him as a non-functional bird sculpture but the idea of his being somewhat useful is more appealing. Alan and I like the look of the handle and I opened a spout in the bill. There’s a hole across from that to allow for better pouring but quite honestly function isn’t this bird’s strong point. Better to peck wood.

When he was all firm but not dry I painted him with my black, grey and white (porcelain) slips and some ‘Radiant Red’ underglaze.

The final photos show the finished Pileated Woodpecker jugbird. He is much more realistic than my regular ones – but far more work! I delivered him to the Gallery of BC Ceramics the other day along with six other birds. Of course I’m dying to know folks’ reactions! The Facebook ‘likes’ were gratifying.