Colors Known to Attract Birds to Your Yard

hummingbird having nectar from flower
© iStock.com/Chelsea Sampson

Written by Larissa Smith

Published: September 16, 2023

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Birds have excellent vision, and bright and beautiful colors will attract different species. Add colors known to attract birds to your yard with colorful flowers, bird feeders, yard furniture, or paint fences a brilliant color.

There are many benefits to having feathered friends visiting your landscape, such as flower pollination, pest control, weed control, and conservation. Use colors that will attract birds’ attention from the sky and provide them shelter, nesting areas, water, and food to keep them in your yard as long as possible.

Let’s delve into the best colors known to attract birds to your yard and how to implement them naturally and artificially!

1. Yellow and Orange

Bright yellow and orange is a great way to attract birds. Orioles, hummingbirds, and goldfinches are especially attracted to yellow and orange as the colors are associated with nectar-filled flowers, seeds, and other food sources.

Plant birds of paradise, sunflowers, and marigold flowers to attract birds. For instance, goldfinches will gravitate towards yellow zinnias and sunflowers. Orange and yellow will add a pop of color to a natural backdrop, making it easier for birds to spot from the sky.

Blue Butterflies on a Yellow Sunflower Against a Blue Sky

Birds such as American goldfinches, bees, and insects are attracted to sunflowers.

©KRIACHKO OLEKSII/Shutterstock.com

2. Red and Pink

Birds associate red and pink with mature fruits, so having red and pink natural and artificial items will attract a variety of curious birds. It is also one of the colors they can see the best. Most bird species are attracted to red, especially cardinals, siskins, and hummingbirds.

Add nectar to your garden’s red feeders or plant bee balm, hibiscus, and peony. Red or pink feeders with nectar will mimic red flowers and keep hummingbirds returning for more.

Male and female Northern Cardinals

Most bird species, such as cardinals (pictured), are attracted to red because they may associate it with ripe fruit.

©Bonnie Taylor Barry/Shutterstock.com

3. Blue and Green

Lush, green vegetation indicates to birds that the foliage is healthy and could be a safe place to build a nest. Blue and green are natural colors that represent plants and bodies of water. Birds you can attract to your yard with blue and green include starlings, bluebirds, goldfinches, and jays.

Consider planting hydrangea, bluebells, or flax flowers to add brilliant blue and green hues to your yard. You can paint a birdhouse or planters blue or green, attracting some species to your property when the season changes to fall, as these colors will stand out the most. Some insects are prey to birds, such as butterflies. Incorporating blue into your yard can indicate to birds that food and water sources are nearby.

Lush green botanical garden - blooming spring flowers and lawn path.

Blue and green colors resemble nature for birds and may indicate that the vegetation is healthy.

©JoannaTkaczuk/Shutterstock.com

4. Natural Colors

Some birds might not exhibit the same curiosity as others about bright and vibrant colors. Natural colors like gray, brown, and green attract dunnocks, quail, doves, thrushes, and robins. Species with a nervous temperament may prefer neutral colors as they provide a safe place to hide and camouflage themselves.

You can plant dogwood and birch trees, daisies, and various succulents to provide the earthy tones. Coniferous trees provide the perfect nesting spot for many bird species seeking shelter. You can also incorporate earth tones with artificial yard ornaments like stone walkways, accent stones, bird baths, fountains, or natural planters.

Stone walkway winding in garden

Add earthy tones to your yard with stone walkways, bird baths, or natural planters.

©PreechaB/Shutterstock.com

What Color Do Birds Avoid?

Birds tend to avoid white for various reasons. Bright-colored birds may stand out in their environment if there is a lot of white, making them vulnerable to predators or competition. In addition, white is often used as a signal in a defensive manner. Birds with white feathers will use them to communicate with other birds, either expressing submission or aggression.

Garden decoration, wind chimes hanging in a blooming tree, bamboo chimes on a cherry tree in garden

Reflective and metal objects like wind chimes can scare birds away.


Image: Qcon, Shutterstock

©Qcon/Shutterstock.com

Reflective objects and metallic colors are also bird deterrents. Colors such as gold, silver, or copper don’t indicate to birds that there are natural resources in the area or that the area can provide any protection. Consider outdoor furniture or tables with neutral colors and avoid moving and reflective objects, such as wind chimes, that can scare birds away.

Other Factors That Attract Birds

Rufous Hummingbird dancing in the bird bath

Hummingbirds like a bird bath with gently moving water.

©Birdiegal/Shutterstock.com

Color alone won’t bring the sounds of chirping birds to your yard. If you want to create a beautiful sanctuary for these melodic creatures, provide the following:

  • Build nesting boxes to provide shelter for birds.
  • Have water available all year round.
  • Provide food for birds, such as filling bird feeders or growing plants that produce fruits.
  • Avoid using insecticides and consider following organic practices.
  • Remove invasive plants that deter birds.

Not only will you attract birds to your yard, but provide a space for pollinators such as bees and butterflies to thrive. So, sit back, dust off your binoculars, and enjoy the view.


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About the Author

Larissa Smith is a writer for A-Z Animals with years of experience in plant care and wildlife. After years spent in the South African bush while studying Nature Conservation, she found her way to writing about animals and plants in her work. She hopes to inspire others to appreciate and care for the precious world around them. Larissa lives in Florida with her two sons, a miniature golden retriever named Pupples, and a colorful succulent garden. In her spare time, she is tending to her garden, adventuring with her kids, and hosting “Real Housewives” watch parties with her friends.

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