What color to paint a bird feeder
What with all the shades of the rainbow or more neutral colors made available to buy in exterior paints, its an hard one to decide what color to pick for your bird feeder.
What color should you paint a bird feeder would be a shade that not only compliments the yard landscape, but a color that can match the decor. Feeders can be painted in a popular shade of brown, if only to match the fence, shed or backyard furniture - whereas bright colors are attractive to wild birds.
Well, to begin with you should always make sure the paint you intend to use is safe for bird feeders, as certain chemicals in cured paint can be deadly.
But I would say with a decision to paint a hanging wooden bird feeder or similarly, a wooden bird platform feeder - they should be painted to extend their life in the yard.
What color you plan to use its entirely up to you of course, but before you commit you should know that a shade of brown that matches the decor is going be more pleasing.
Whereas, a brightly painted bird feeder is going to stand out, thus not matching up to the the backyard decor or indeed, the yard landscape.
You don't need to paint the bird feeder in a way that helps it blend in so much, so its not easily spotted by wild birds - but then again you don't want it to spoil the landscape.
Compromise on an untreated bird feeder that is coated in preserve, but left unpainted.
I would say though that to begin with an untreated bird feeder to paint, that can be the easiest option as to paint over a pre-painted feeder won't always give you the desired shade once the paint has dried.
Pick a safe paint for made in wood bird feeders that is non toxic or water based.
Popular shade of brown
Most common color of a hanging wooden bird feeder would be one in a shade of brown, basically the color people often paint their shed or backyard fence in.
And if its non toxic or promoted as water based, then its certainly a good paint option.
You should only go for a popular shade of brown mind you if it indeed matches up to your outdoor decor - as the wooden bird feeder can appear out of place otherwise.
What you would want to buy is a color of paint that is sold as Dark Walnut, Oak, Ebony or similar shades.
I don't like a matt coat on a wooden bird feeder as it seems to absorb moisture, whereas a satin paint finish tends to have a sheen that is less absorbent.
Do paint a hanging bird feeder made in wood in the most natural, pleasing color of brown, as it represents real wood found in nature.
Color to blend with backyard decor
Of course you can't just go out and buy a wooden bird feeder of any kind, or a partially a painted bird platform feeder in a bright color - when the yard decor is more neutral.
It doesn't match so can never be the right course of action to take.
Instead, its imperative to prioritize what color to paint a bird feeder, based on what color the wooden backyard decor is currently set in.
Landscape of yards could also have its say, with more brown and green leafy plants - calling out for a tone in green or brown bird feeders.
To hang up a bright red or blue feeder of any kind, well very appealing to wild birds to get their attention - it just won't blend in with its surroundings.
Make it a shade of brown then that is sure to match up to the yard fence, shed or furniture - whether its a wooden bird feeder or not.
Bright colors are attractive
What color should you paint a bird feeder would ideally be in a standout, bright color that is sure to draw wild birds attention.
It might not be needed if you already receive a large number of visitors into your yard on a daily basis. But if you need something to make it a little more easier to reach out to hard to attract birds... then do use a brightly colored bird feeder.
As a rule, wooden bird feeders in the seed or peanut kind, or even the bird feeding platform on a stand is mostly treated in preserve, but never painted.
Likewise, the wooden bird feeder could be painted, but its likely to be in a shade of brown. That is with the exception of hanging or mounted bird feeders that go for a colorful roof in many cases.
Untreated wooden bird feeders will give you an opportunity to brighten it up to match its surroundings, but only do so if it can stand out, rather than blend in too much.
Unpainted is an option
I would personally pick out an unpainted bird feeder which has already been treated in preserve, just to save on extra costs.
However, to begin with an untreated wooden bird feeder I can then use the paint color I have previously bought, or plan to paint it in - as soon as I possibly can.
My plan would be to paint the bird feeder in a single coat, providing I follow proper procedures of painting or staining a bird feeder, while making sure the beautiful grain can show through.
It could be a couple of coats of paint would be needed in a bright color or a neutral tone, as it can appear to be translucent still. So more coats would be needed to at least cover up the undertone of the tainted preserve - in which its always with an orange tint.
Begin with an unpainted bird feeder as its going to give you an opportunity to paint it in a color that can help match it with the backyard decor.
The idea is not to keep the bird feeder discreet, but to at least help it match the decor.
To summarize
Unlike the need to paint a bird house in a shade that keeps it discreet, so unseen by praying eyes, that is not what you are going for with a wooden bird feeder.
What color you should be painting the feeder is in one that not only stands out the bird feeder - but would at least compliment the yard landscape.
Focus of that would be a painted bird feeder in the same shade as the yard decor.
Bright colors, while attractive to wild birds that is sure to bring them into feed, its not always going to blend in well with the yard.
However, there is a compromise in that a shade of brown bird feeder could still stand out with a brightly painted roof, or why not go for an untreated bird feeder - as it can still be noticed quite well - while still using a subtle painted bright roof.
No perfect color you should paint the wooden bird feeder or bird platform feeder in , as any color that is going to compliment the landscape is more important.
That is only if you intend to use a non toxic or water based paint for the birds well being.
Share this article:
