Once in a while in this crazy mixed-up world you come across an extraordinary person. Such is the case with Mitch Erceg, the 92-year-old gentleman that some call “The Birdhouse King”. Mitch, is a first generation American whose father immigrated from the Island of Hvar in the Adriatic Sea. His father was a builder who built his own home in Avenel, NJ.
As a young man, Mitch was a natural artist. When he graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1941, he interviewed for a job with Disney in Manhattan.
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The Birdhouse King of NJ
A few months later, Pearl Harbor was bombed, and Mitch joined the Navy. He went overseas and served in the Philippines, Japan and helped bring home the 5th Marine Division from Iwo Jima. After the war, Mitch went into construction. He became a bridge builder and was active with the local carpenter’s union. “I built bridges on the Turnpike and the Parkway. About 50 years ago, I helped put a new deck on the Bayonne Bridge. We were hanging underneath the bridge, 200 feet above the water. We did a lot of dangerous work.” Mitch recalls.
In 1988, Mitch retired from bridge building and focused on another venture, making unusual birdhouses. According to Mitch, along with the building gene, he inherited a love of birds. His garage workshop now is his “corporate headquarters”, and his home is a museum of birdhouses and blue ribbons. Mitch is completely self-taught, and channels his creativity for each unique house. He spends three days to make a birdhouse, working eight hours each day. The woods come from storm wrecked or felled trees, and local tree surgeons. He enjoys working with such woods as walnut, red cedar, poplar, oak, maple, birch, and cherry. He spends hours on nature hikes collecting treasures to use in his work.
Once the items are collected, he lets the woods dry naturally. Each house is built with screws, copper, brass nails, epoxies, and glues. Some have a lacquer seal; some have color enhancement. The birdhouses can stand freely or hang from the back or top. For depth and interest, Mitch uses his woodburning tool for botanical decorations. As a remembrance of his mother, he likes to add a butterfly to the houses, as she loved them. Some clients order birdhouses for wedding gifts with custom engravings.
Nothing to Squawk At
He also can custom design birdhouses for customers. The museum quality birdhouses range from $300.00 to $500.00 a piece. Mitch also makes an outdoor birdhouse that sells for $40.00 to $50.00. He takes a sassafras log and hollows out the center with a saw. It’s topped with a unique curved roof.
If you don’t come to Mitch’s home for a birdhouse, you can catch him at local arts and crafts shows. He does shows in Chester, Morristown, Verona Park, Wheaton, Somerset, and Peters Valley. You will find his birdhouses in collections around the world. His famous patrons include professional golfer Dottie Pepper, Mrs. Mike Francesa, Jimmy Dean, and former President George H.W. Bush. Mitch’s artwork was featured in Architectural Digest and the book Birdhouses of the World.
“Dad is kind and generous. He helps friends and neighbors with woodworking odd jobs; goes to local schools and talks about nature, birds, and his experience as a World War II veteran. He maintains his boyish enthusiasm even at 92 years of age. Dad loves people, and people are attracted to his beautiful spirit. He still lives in the house he built with my mother 65 years ago. This year marks their 67th wedding anniversary,” says his daughter Jacquee Markel.
“I enjoy making my birdhouses, and I think it contributes to my longevity.” To learn more or watch videos of him creating in the workshop, visit the Birdhouse King online.
