My collection of Pie Birds. What is a Pie Bird??? Pie Birds or Pie Vents were used in baking pies to prevent the pie from boiling over in the oven by allowing the steam created when the fruit filling or other contents are cooking to escape from inside the pie. They also supported the pastry crust in the center of the pie, so that it did not sag in the middle. Many of these Pie Vents have been made by my sister and myself. My husband has also been known to paint a Pie Bird or two. We use to sell them at the Kansas City Market a few years ago, and believe me I can paint a Pie Bird in my sleep! Every time we are in the Flea Markets I look for Pie Birds. My DH is as bad as I am about looking for them. I didn't even know what they were when my sister talked me into painting them now I can't stop looking for them.
