When it comes to picking the ideal color for a wren birdhouse, there are a few key factors to consider. Wrens are small, hardy songbirds that enjoy making nests in human-provided birdhouses. Choosing an attractive, natural color that blends into the surroundings can help attract wrens to your birdhouse.
Birdhouse Color Considerations
The color you choose for your wren birdhouse will depend on several considerations:
Blend into the Environment
Since wrens are shy, easily frightened birds, you’ll want to pick a color that helps the birdhouse blend into its surroundings. Natural wood tones, greens, browns, and grays that match trees, bushes, and dirt help the house look like part of the landscape rather than an artificial box plopped down in the yard. This will make wrens more likely to approach and enter the house.
Reflect Heat
Light colors like white or tan can reflect sunlight and heat, making the interior hot for wrens and their chicks. Darker natural colors absorb less heat. Inside heat could discourage wrens from nesting or even kill chicks.
Discourage Predators
A bright, showy color could attract predators like cats, raccoons, and snakes looking for an easy bird meal. Natural colors help the house stay camouflaged.
Weather Durability
Pick a color with pigments that can stand up to sun exposure, rain, and other outdoor elements without quickly fading or peeling. Exterior latex paints formulated for wood, metal, and masonry use are longer lasting.
Aesthetic Appeal
While humans don’t want their yard dominated by an eyesore, you can pick a color you enjoy looking at if it fits the other criteria. Just don’t go for neon pink or purple! Soft greens, sky blues, and warm browns are attractive while still blending in.
Best Color Options for Wren Birdhouses
Based on those considerations, here are top color choices to attract wrens:
Natural Wood Tones
Leaving your birdhouse unfinished or applying a clear wood stain lets the natural grain and color of the wood show. This provides an excellent camouflage look. Cedar and redwood have reddish hues that blend into wooded areas. Pine is a lighter tan-brown. Make sure to pick weather-resistant wood.
Olive Green
In a yard with bushes and trees, an olive drab green is the ideal camouflage color. Darker forest greens are also great woodland camo. Lighter minty shades can work too. Use exterior latex paint for coverage and durability.
Earthy Browns
Different shades of brown resemble tree bark and will help the house disappear against an earthy backdrop. Light browns work well in dry climates while darker browns match lush surroundings. Browns naturally resist sun damage.
Greys
For a more modern, neutral look, various hues of grey from light dove to charcoal black can mimic stone, concrete, and weathered wood textures while not standing out too much. Greys absorb heat less than darker colors.
Sky Blue
Light blue can resemble the sky and is a pleasant color for humans without attracting too much attention from predators. Robin egg blue is attractive on a white house. Use an exterior enamel paint.
Avoid These Colors
On the other hand, its best to avoid these color choices:
– Bright whites: Show dirt, absorb heat, stand out
– Black: Absorbs excessive sunlight and heat
– Red: Too flashy and eye-catching
– Yellow and orange: Unnatural and attract predators
– Neon and bright primary colors: Showy and artificial looking
Use a Natural Wood Finish
One easy way to pick an ideal wren house color is to simply leave the wood bare and add a natural clear finish:
– Lets the wood grain show through
– Enhances natural camouflage
– Saves time and money on paint
– Allows wood to blend into surroundings
– Provides protection from weathering
– Choose a stain, sealer, or varnish suited for exterior use
Test different finishes on scrap wood first. A tinted stain can enhance natural wood tones without covering them up fully.
Use Camouflaging Paint Colors
If you opt for painted wood, select exterior latex paints in camouflaging colors:
– Dark olive green blends into trees and bushes
– Medium brown resembles tree bark and earth
– Light tan or grey mimics weathered wood and stone
– Soft Robin’s egg blue can mimic the sky
– Always test paint chips against the installation spot first
– Use flat or satin paint to minimize glare
– Repaint when faded to maintain camouflage
Avoid bright white, red, yellow, neon, and other colors that stand out.
Use Durable, Weather-Resistant Materials
Pick exterior paints and finishes designed to withstand sun, rain, snow, and temperature swings. Consider:
– Exterior latex paint sticks to wood and resists moisture
– Stains contain pigments and sealants to protect wood
– Varnish forms a glossy, water-resistant coating
– Enamel paint provides an extra-durable finish on metal and wood
– Marine paint holds up against sun and water on a metal house
– Look for weatherproofing labels like “fortified” or “weather resistant”
Proper surface prep and primer will also help any paint or finish last longer.
Consider Placement and Surroundings
The ideal camouflage color for your wren house will depend partly on where you place it:
| Location | Best Color Choices |
|---|---|
| Woodland area | Green, brown, grey |
| Open field | Light brown, tan, grey |
| Near a garden | Green, light blue |
| On a fence | Grey, brown, natural wood |
| Near a deck | Light brown, natural wood, blue |
| On a tree | Bark brown, natural wood |
Take some time to observe the colors around where you’ll mount the house. This will give you ideas for the best camouflage shade. You can even test paint swatches right on the spot.
Conclusion
When choosing a color for your wren birdhouse, select natural, neutral tones that help the house blend into the surroundings, resist weather, and avoid attracting predators. The perfect color depends on your climate and placement, but shades of green, brown, grey, and blue make excellent choices that both camouflage the house and please the human eye. Avoid bright whites, reds, oranges, yellows, or neon shades that offer no concealment benefits. With a thoughtfully colored wren house in an ideal spot, you can look forward to hosting a nesting pair this spring.
