Consider These Porch Paint Colors To Attract More Birds

Attracting more songbirds to your yard is the first step toward realizing your dream of having feathered friends wake you each morning, make your bed, and help you get dressed. Even if you don't harbor Cinderella-inspired fantasies, birds can help you out by eating bugs that are headed for your garden. Selecting the right color the next time you paint your porch is one way convince them to spend more time on your property, where they'll also assist with flower pollination and consume the seeds that thistles and other weeds make. When browsing paint options, consider a palette of earth tones as well as hues that appeal to particular species you'd like to visit your yard.

Birds are drawn to subdued neutral colors that remind them of the camouflage Mother Nature provides. Browns, blacks, grays, and greens all help them feel protected from predators, so they're good choices for porch paint if you'd like your yard to be filled with charming chirps and egg-filled nests. You can add more of these colors to other parts of your landscape as well. For example, a broad range of birds will nest in birdhouses sporting earth tones or low-key shades of blue. Avoid white when painting your porch or shopping for yard decor, as this color tells small birds that danger is lurking nearby. It may even remind them of the pale bellies of creatures eager to eat them or their eggs. This list of predators includes owls, hawks, raptors, squirrels, and cats. In other words, white is likely to spook many of the birds you're hoping to attract or, at the very least, make them feel uneasy.

Though nesting birds generally avoid birdhouses painted vibrant hues, not all birds are building nests, and different species have different color preferences. If you'd like your porch to brighten up your yard, consider painting it the color of flowers that a favorite species loves. For example, hummingbirds flock to red flowers on pentas and bee balm since they associate this color with abundant nectar. Red is also a solid choice for piquing the interest of woodpeckers and helping camouflage-seeking cardinals feel secure. Plus, it's hard for many insects to see. However, red can deter species that perceive it as a predator magnet or a sign of aggression.

If red's too bold for your taste, consider a yellow porch to attract avian guests to your yard. This color can draw goldfinches and orioles as well as hummingbirds and warblers. As with red, the shade you choose matters. Going too bright can repel birds for a few reasons. First, it signals that your porch isn't a natural part of their habitat. Second, it might remind them of venom-producing snakes or bugs. Third, birds know that bright yellows can attract wasps. Finally, they tend to assume that vivacious hues capture predators' attention.

Adding just a pop of red or yellow to your porch can beckon birds that appreciate these colors. If the porch's main color is blue, green, or another hue many species like, a red or yellow accent could be just the ticket. These colors don't have to come from paint either. A flower-filled porch planter can summon birds and pollinators with its pretty colors and tasty nectar.