Wildlifeful logo
Baltimore Oriole perched on top of green topped thistle seed bird feeder

Best color for bird feeder

If you can provide a group of bird feeders in metal, wood or a simple green, then color isn't as important if the feeders stay visible with all kinds of bird food made available.

Best color for bird feeders will be any color if it at least compliments your yard. Some vibrant in color bird feeders do match the specific color of the birds plumage. With that, blue bird feeders can attract Bluebirds; red is pleasing to Hummingbirds or Cardinals - while Orioles like orange with yellow for Finches.

I really don't think about using color to attract birds to my feeder, as I feel if more bird feeders are used with a wider variety of bird food used - then in due course birds will come to my bird feeders naturally.

But its certainly something to think as birds can be attracted to color of their same species.

Who's to say we can't mimic that color on a bird feeder of any kind in order to attract birds to the varied availability of bird food waiting for them.

Let me just say though to use multiple bird feeders situated in a group - like hanging off a bird feeder pole or tree - can be just as effective, if not more... than relying on vibrant colors alone to attract birds to a feeder.

With color used to attract birds to a bird bath then who's to say it can't work for feeders.

If you must continue with a simple but safe subtle green or black that is commonly used, then do so with no issues likely to arise due to the wrong color.

Northern Cardinal appears to be attracted to this red in color seed bird feeder, in contrast to a snow topped roof.

What color to use to attract what bird species then doesn't really need me to explain it, as its easy to figure it out for yourself; what color the birds plumage happens to be is the color their own bird feeder is likely to be developed in or painted.

Example of that is blue is for Bluebird feeders, red is intended for Hummingbirds or Cardinal feeders - along with orange bird feeders made to attract Orioles.

And with them there's vibrant yellow bird feeders which can be used to draw the attention of the Finch family.

Color specific bird feeders guarantees no success nor will it only attract the bird species it was intended for - if it stores bird food then expect birds to arrive on the bird feeder as they normally would.

Bird feeder can be any color

Make no mistake about it, any kind of bird feeder can be any color and will continue to attract birds to it with success.

Bird feeders don't always attract birds to it, in fact a feeder can go for weeks without ever being used - but its important to remember the color has no say, not indirectly that is.

Feeders can be any color I can assure you but if the color is perfectly in contrast to the environment its mounted on or hanging up on - the feeder will be invisible to passing birds overhead.

Example of that is a walnut color painted wooden bird feeder mounted on a wooden shed, painted in the same walnut shade.

By all means paint the feeder a color to compliment your garden decor, but don't do it if it causes the feeder to remain discreet.

Despite that, bird feeders made for suet, seed mixes or peanuts can feature any color without being an issue at all - and that goes for clear plastic feeder dishes or window bird feeders having no color at all.

I have never really thought about what is the best color for a bird feeder but I personally don't think it matters at all, providing feeders are situated in yard where its going to be clearly seen.

Having said that, certain bird species can be attracted to color of their own species, thus a feeder in a matching birds plumage color could get their attention.

Blue is best for Bluebirds

With Bluebirds generally attracted to the blue of their own species, manufacturer's design a line of Bluebird feeders to accommodate Bluebirds in particularly.

No guarantee Bluebirds will come to the feeder with other common backyard birds bound to be drawn to what is going to be a dried mealworm-filled Bluebird feeder, hung up in your yard.

I can assure you it isn't vital you utilize a specialist blue in color Bluebird feeder, but it just may come in useful if you attract an abundance of them in your yard, on a daily basis.

Certainly not going to be the most attract device mounted or hung up in your yard, but at least you are going to attract Bluebirds.

Having said all that, its absolutely still possible to feed Bluebirds via any color dried mealworm feeder - even if that feeder is a clear plastic dish.

Its worth remembering Bluebirds aren't big bird feeder users, thus there's likelihood of a blue feeder intended for them not being used at all, if you don't buy a specific Bluebird feeder that features an accessible feeding area.

RED for Hummingbirds or Cardinals

What color Hummingbird feeder is best for, well, Hummingbirds is the always safe, always reliable RED hummingbird feeders.

For years manufacturer's have built feeders for Hummingbirds in the color red the best way they know how. Hummers are attracted to all vibrant colors, with red only be one of many color themes you can rely upon.

With mostly red Hummingbird feeders on the market, you can take that as a reliable color to buy a Hummingbird feeder in.

Red can be present all over the body, or perhaps just on the top and bottom section only; whilst you can be sure to grab Hummingbirds attention with their nectar-filled reservoir tinted in red also - with the port wells imitating contrasting yellow flowers.

Rest assured, Hummingbirds can still be attracted to blue feeders, those in green, yellow or even orange.

Its important a Hummingbird feeder in particular is clearly visible when hung up on a bird feeder pole, along with full access to allow them to hover or perch as they sip on what is essentially homemade sugar-water.

Of course Northern Cardinals are red also so you can expect some red bird feeders promoted specifically for use by Cardinals.

Orioles like it in orange

What color can Orioles be attracted to is orange of course, thus what color are Oriole feeders typically, would be orange to match their beautiful plumage.

With this, it will lead to their disc shape nectar-filled feeder being the color orange on top, with a clear plastic nectar reservoir attached to the bottom.

It doesn't stop there, as manufacturer's figure Orioles will be fed on grape jelly or oranges which can be offered in conjunction with their nectar. With that, expect all types of Oriole feeders to have a hint of orange.

Top sides of oriole feeders will prioritize orange in color to get their attention as they pass overhead.

Although to be on the safe side, do expect any kind of Oriole feeder to be made fully in orange.

With that, you can even expect made in wood jelly feeders to be painted in a vibrant orange, with no original color remaining.

Yellow attracts Finches

Best color for a bird feeder intended to attract the Finch family would be a yellow in color Nyjer seed feeders intended specifically for American Goldfinches.

Why are Finch feeders yellow is because its this vibrant color that attracts Finches to one another, thus a yellow bird feeder just might get their attention in the process.

Unlike an orange feeder intended for Orioles, a Finch feeder is less subtle thus is likely to compliment the area it happens to be hung in within your yard.

Saying that, a Finch feeder doesn't need to be yellow at all, as a traditional Nyjer seed or Sunflower seed feeder are mostly metal with no color at all. If anything, the fine metal wire Finches pull out seeds in, is always going to be black.

Still, yellow is sure to attract yellow American Goldfinches so it doesn't hurt to at least try and attract them with an equally vibrant yellow.

What is the best yellow Finch feeder can vary but its only the top and bottom sections in yellow - whereas the middle section that stores seeds will continue to be black in color, and so will most white in color fabric Finch sock feeders be made in.

Green is best color for you

What have I suggested thus far then are red feeders for Hummingbirds, blue feeders are for Bluebirds, Orioles like orange... with Finches favoring a vibrant yellow.

Only the best color for bird feeders can be any color you like, with the popular but subtle green likely to compliment the yard.

Manufacturer's make their suet, seed or peanut feeder body sections in green or in full, because its a color that can satisfy most people with the intent on complimenting the backyard.

Vibrant colors can appear unsightly and out of place with a green landscape or painted a different but natural brown or tan wooden decking - thus a vibrant bird feeder risks spoiling the look and feel you're going for.

I still suggest you try and get wild birds attention by utilizing a contrasting vibrant color, but only if you don't mind it spoiling the landscape.

Where you place your bird feeders will likely be an area where birds occupy or can be attracted to without the need of color. Its important to remember that, as you can just rely on a default green or stylish black color feeders.

Summary

What is the best color for bird feeders can depend on the bird species you intend to attract to them within your yard.

Its important to remember though, to simply put up a specific color bird feeder won't necessary attract specific species - as it will depend on what birds are in your local area, with any wild birds likely to frequent on a feeder intended for others.

Let me just say though, whilst a mostly vibrant bird feeder can certainly attract birds to it, bird feeders can really be any color.

However as a rule, the bird feeder color will match to what color the bird species you intend to attract to the feeder.

With a Bluebird then of course a specialist blue in color Bluebird feeder will be utilized. It will be made mostly to hold dried mealworms with an open dish or hopper style bird feeder - made to accommodate a less willing Bluebird at feeders.

Hummingbirds can be attracted to their popular red in color nectar-filled feeder, alongside Cardinals who can be tempted with red bird feeders.

Orioles can come to an orange nectar or jelly feeder, with the feeder completely finished in orange, or partially.

With the Finch family they can be attracted to a vibrant yellow which relates to American Goldfinches especially - only the color is for more subtle so less intrusive when hung up in your yard.

Don't be too concerned about the best color for bird feeders when a group of different kinds of feeders - along with a variety of bird food - is sure to attract many birds species... with a solitary bird feeder always going a miss.

Share this article: