Once they’re done, remember to let the birdhouse dry for an hour or so, and then seal it with the acrylic paint sealer.
The best bird-safe paint
Until relatively recently, coal miners employed caged birds, such as canaries, to detect any dangerous gases in the mines. Birds were used because they are extremely sensitive to fumes and react to them before humans notice, acting as a warning signal.
So even now above ground and in the safety of your home, the slightest exposure to some airborne chemicals could be devastating to your pet bird.
Why are birds so sensitive?
In order have the oxygen necessary to fly, a bird’s respiratory tract is very efficient in exchanging gasses. On the flip side, this also means that birds can very quickly distribute toxic gasses throughout their small bodies. For this reason, birds are very susceptible to airborne toxins.
These toxins include carbon monoxide as well as particles found in the likes of insecticide sprays, hair spray, perfumes, room deodorisers, cooking utensils and of course, paint fumes.
Using Little Knights paint
Customer review: Lichen
06/28/2018
Fresh
A lovely light colour and odourless. Had a blue look to it when wet but dried with the Lichen colour. A brilliant paint for many uses. I’ve painted a new bird room with this Lichen. ideal for children, allergy sufferers and birds. Thank you Little Knights
100% VOC-free & odour free
Our paint is not “low VOC”, it is completely VOC free (even our gloss), as verified by the ASA. Little Knights is a water-based paint that is also free from carcinogens, petrochemicals and hazardous fumes of any kind. Our paint is totally odourless, and we don’t just mean when it’s dried, we mean even while you are applying it! So no need to evacuate your pet birds for a spot of decorating.
Antibacterial
Protect your pet bird by helping to prevent the growth and spread of mould in the home. Our antibacterial additive is fully certificated and proven effective against ALL known bacteria. Read more
Absorbes formaldehyde
Little Knights paint actively helps to improve the quality of the air in your home. It contains a unique monomer that bonds with formaldehyde molecules on contact and transforms them into harmless water vapour. It begins working as soon as the paint is applied, and continues to work for as long as Little Knights paint is on your walls.
Toy Safe certified
Thinking of painting your birdcage? Little Knights is a durable, non-toxic paint that conforms fully with Toy Safe legislation, meaning that licking and nibbling of the paint will do no harm.
For more information on Little Knights pet-safe properties feel free to call us on 01604 781009 and talk to a member of the team.
Do you watch Vet on the Hill?
TV vet Dr Scott Miller has sung the praises of Little Knights paint after using it in his new veterinary practice; he even is using it in his kids rooms & home. Read more
100% VOC-free, antibacterial, odourless paint for a healthy home
High-pigment, quick drying, and driven by science
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Simply the safest paint for you and your family
Designing Your Birdhouse
There are so many beautiful painted birdhouses in endless colors and designs, but also in simple solid colors. Choosing the right paint color and design is just the beginning for your project. For acrylic paint, I recommend this Arteza set, it’s super high quality and non-toxic.
Some birders actually make the birdhouse resemble a real home with cool architecture designs and color coordinating trims. Others do themed houses which are trending right now, and a regular birdhouse can be transformed into a dynasty palace, country tea cottage, or even a modern 5 story home.
Sport themed birdhouses are also a thing if you didn’t know. However, not all of these paint options are best for birds.
Painting your birdhouse with acrylic paint is also a super kid friendly activity that your little ones will love! My kids have painted birdhouses like these, and they come unfinished, so they can get crazy and paint as they wish.
There are a few different types of birdhouses to choose from. For example you may want a more private boxed birdhouse like this one, that only has an opening for the birds, and for your to lift up of course. Or you may want a fun home looking unfinished birdhouse such as this one.
Below in the article I have linked pictures of all my favorites unfinished birdhouses, and even some kid friendly ones, so read on!
Is Painting Birdhouses Good for Birds?
Most birds that use birdhouses to nest and live in, aren’t usually picky about their home. What they mostly care about is that it can accommodate their family and is safe in size and shape for them. When you paint a birdhouse, you must make sure you choose a non-toxic acrylic paint, otherwise it can be poisonous for the birds.
When choosing colors, keep in mind of where you’ll be keeping the birdhouse. If it will be in a shaded areas such as your covered patio, you can typically go with darker colors, but if your birdhouse will be exposed to the sun constantly, a dark color will overheat and smother the birds.
In my opinion, the best colors for a birdhouse depend on the house type and where it will be stationed. As a rule of thumb, natural camouflaged colors such as gray, dark green, brown, and even tan help the birdhouse blend into its environment to keep nesting birds safe from predators.
If your birdhouse will be mounted in a beautiful garden, you can definitely choose more colorful paints that go with nearby floral hues. White paint is recommended for common martin birdhouses because it helps reflect heat away from the open area, and as we all know, any house can benefit from that heat reflection on hot summer days.
Florescent, metallic, or iridescent paints should generally be avoided because of their overly dramatic brightness and other additives in the paint that could be harmful to wildlife.
Tips for Painting a Birdhouse
– Always use water-based latex paint, and avoid lead-based paints since they can be toxic to birds.
– Avoid painting the inside of a birdhouse or around the entrance hole. Since growing birds sometimes peck at surfaces, they could ingest paint chips, or small chips of paint could get into the hatchlings’ delicate eyes.
-Make sure that the paint does not block or seal small ventilation holes or drainage holes in the house. These holes are necessary for a safe birdhouse, and should be kept open and useful at all times.
-Remember to give the paint enough time to dry thoroughly before mounting the house for birds to use. This allows potentially toxic odors to disperse before birds inhabit the house, and will keep those odors from attracting nearby predators.
For more tips on keeping your acrylic painted projects outdoors, check out one of my other articles, that go over safety and heat related questions.
