What Colors Should You Paint Your Birdhouse With?

Bored of the traditional wooden birdhouses? Looking for a way to spice up your garden with a splash of color?

Why not consider painting your birdhouse with a fresh color?

Some good colors to paint a birdhouse are camouflaged colors such as gray, green, brown, white, and tan. You can also use other earth tones to help the birdhouse blend in.

If you’re looking for more of a pop of color, you could try: blue, purple, pink, or red.

Just be careful not to use too bright of a color, as that could attract predators. Also, do remember that birdhouses and bird feeders should not be painted black as they can get heated up in summer.

Looking for more ideas on how to paint your birdhouses, what paint to use, and what colors? Well, we’ve got you covered.

In this blog post, I’ll explore some different colors you can paint your birdhouse with to brighten up your yard. Let’s get started!

Should You Paint a Birdhouse?

Before I dive into the different colors you can use, let’s answer the question: should birdhouses be painted in the first place?

The short answer is yes! Painting your birdhouse in the backyard can actually help protect it from the elements and extend its lifespan.

While painting your birdhouse may seem like a lot of work for something that birds are just going to roost in, there are actually a few good reasons to do it.

• For one, paint provides protection from the heat and the weather.
• It also helps to prevent the growth of bacteria and other organisms that can be harmful to birds.
• Painting them on time will also help seal the small cracks and gaps that can worsen in the extensive summer heat.
• Lastly, the bright paint colors can provide an extra level of protection against predators.

It doesn’t matter whether the birdhouse is painted or not!

As long as the painted accommodation for birds fits their size, shape, and placement, they will come and nest there happily.

And by making your birdhouse more visible, you can help to keep birds safe and sound.

So if you’re looking for a way to help your feathered friends, painting your birdhouse is a great place to start.

What Color Should You Paint a Birdhouse?

The colors you paint your birdhouse with are important for two reasons: aesthetics and safety.

For aesthetics, you want to choose colors that complement your yard and the other structures in it. You also want to make sure the colors you choose don’t clash too much, as that can be off-putting for both you and the birds.

For safety, you want to make sure you’re using colors that will help the birdhouse blend in with its natural surroundings. This will help keep predators from spotting it and attacking the birds inside.

With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at some different colors you can use to paint your birdhouse.

1. Gray

Gray is a great option if you’re looking for a neutral color that will blend in well with its surroundings.

Blending in with its surroundings can be beneficial because it can help protect the birdhouse from predators.

Additionally, light gray color can help keep the birdhouse cooler in the summer months and warmer in the winter months.

However, one downside to using gray paint on a birdhouse is that it can fade over time.

2. Green

The dull green color is another good option for a birdhouse paint color. It will help the birdhouse blend in with foliage and trees.

Green is a good color because it is a natural and peaceful color that can help reduce stress levels for birds.

However, green birdhouses may be more difficult to spot, making it harder to clean and monitor them.

3. Brown

Brown is a great choice for a birdhouse color because it’s a natural earth tone that will help the birdhouse blend in with its surroundings.

Brown can also absorb heat from the sun, helping to keep the inside of the birdhouse warm during cold weather.

On the downside, dark shades of brown birdhouses may be more difficult to clean than lighter-colored ones.

Also, birdhouses painted with dark brown colors may show dirt and stains more easily.

4. Yellow

Like green, gray, and brown, some birds are attracted to the color yellow.

The color yellow is often associated with happiness and positivity, making it a great choice for painting a bird feeder.

Additionally, birds tend to respond well to lighter colors such as yellow, and the cheerful hue of yellow can help create a warm and inviting space.

If you’re hoping to attract a specific type of bird to your birdhouse, painting it yellow may be a good option.

5. Blue, Red, Purple, and Orange

Tones like blue, red, purple, and orange are other bright color schemes that some birds are attracted to.

If you’re looking to attract a specific type of bird, you may consider painting your birdhouse with these colors.

However, in my opinion, you should not paint birdhouses with attention-grabbing bright colors like as white, red, pink, purple, blue, or orange.

These hues would attract predators and can endanger the birds remaining in the birdhouses.

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What are the Best Colors to Attract Birds?

Different birds are attracted to different colors.

As a general rule, most bright shades can be used to attract many different kinds of birds and bird species.

• Red, orange, yellow, and pink, for example, can attract hummingbirds.
• Orioles are more attracted to the orange. In contrast, bluebirds and jays are attracted to blue color.
• Goldfinches and warblers are also attracted to the yellow color.

If you’re looking to paint your birdhouse with colors that will attract birds, try using earth tones or pastel colors.

You could also try painting it with patterns such as stripes or polka dots to make them look more beautiful.

What Kind of Paint to Use on a Birdhouse?

Now that we’ve gone over different color options let’s talk about what kind of paint you should use on your birdhouse and how to choose them.

The best kind of paint to use is water-based paint like latex or acrylic. This type of paint is non-toxic and won’t harm the birds.

You should typically aim for paint that is safe for birds. So, you could also choose the eco-friendly paint versions or organic wood stains that are readily available. These will, however, be slightly expensive.

Some paints contain lead or creosote, which can be toxic to birds. You should avoid them for painting the birdhouses.

To be on the safe side, always use water-based paint that is labeled “water resistant,” “non-toxic,” and “safe for birds.”

How to Choose the Right Paint for Bird Feeders?

When selecting paint for your paintable birdhouse or birdfeeder, there are a few specific things you’ll want to remember:

1. Consider the environment your birdhouse will be in.

First and foremost, make sure the paint you use blends in with its surroundings so that predators can’t spot it easily. This way, you will be protecting the birds for good.

Additionally, consider the weather conditions you live in. If it is hot where you live, use light-colored paint so the birdhouse doesn’t get too warm inside.

If, however, you live in a place with too much snowfall, use a dark color so the birdhouse will absorb more heat.

2. Think about the color of the birds you’d like to attract.

Some birds are more attracted to certain colors than others. For example, bluebirds are attracted to blue birdhouses that are painted blue.

So, to attract specific birds to your garden, you should paint their house accordingly.

3. Choose high-quality paint based on the material of the house.

Since painted birdhouses are often exposed to the elements, it’s important to use paint that will hold up well over time on the material.

Birdhouses constructed of cedar or cypress do not require painting because they are naturally robust and last a long time.

However, to make a pine or plywood birdhouse more weatherproof and long-lasting, giving it a coat of quality paint is a good idea.

Look for a paint that is specifically designed for outdoor use. These are the most durable and will withstand the elements of nature.

Tips for Painting and Sealing Your Birdhouse in the Yard

Before painting the whole thing, always test your paint on a small area of the birdhouse to help you make sure you like the color and that it’s going to look good.

Once you are confirmed, clean the birdhouse nicely to get rid of any flaking paint or dirt. You don’t want your new paint job to look messy.

Next, fill the cracks or gaps you notice and use a paintbrush to apply the paint evenly to the birdhouse.

Do not seal the small ventilation holes or the drainage holes that are present at the bottom of the birdhouse. While you paint, these must remain open for proper air circulation and drainage.

Let the paint dry completely before putting the birdhouse back in the yard. This usually takes around 24 hours for a wooden birdhouse to be painted with acrylic or latex paints.

But depending on the type of paint and material of the birdhouse, it can sometimes take 2-4 days for it to dry.

If you want to take it a step further, you can also add some embellishments to the birdhouse after you paint it.

A word of caution-

Apply the paint to the outside and shingles on a birdhouse. Do not paint the inside of the birdhouse and around the entrance hole. Some birds tend to peck at the paint, so it’s best to leave that area unpainted.

What Do You Use to Seal a Birdhouse?

For sealing a wooden birdhouse (like cedar, pine, or redwood), there are a variety of different options you can choose from.

• One great option is to use water-based polyurethane. This is a clear sealer that will help protect the birdhouse from the elements.
• Another option is to use non-toxic linseed oil. This can give a matte, gloss, or satin finish.

Both these sealers will help protect your birdhouse from the elements and make cleaning easier.

No matter what type of sealer you choose, follow the instructions on the product label to ensure that you’re using the product correctly and effectively.

The Bottom Line

Birds are attracted to brightly colored birdhouses, but as we mentioned before, this can be dangerous for them. Instead, dull greens, grays, and browns are the best to opt for.

Whether you want to stick with traditional colors or try something new, painting your birdhouse is a fun way to add color to your backyard.

Check out our list of the best colors for birdhouses and get inspired. Just remember to keep safety in mind when choosing your colors. Also, ensure the paint you use is weather-resistant, so it doesn’t chip or peel off in the rain.