does colour affect animals

[danny boy]

hey, not sure if im putting this in the right place but anyway. Ive built a bird table and i want to paint it white, but would that affect what uses it and what lives around it? thanks for reading

[thunder]

I can't imagine painting a bird table white will have very much effect - the urge to feed will probably overcome aesthetics.

There is some talk of some species preferring different coloured feeders, but I have never heard of white being a plus or a minus.

I think perhaps this should be the subject of your PhD thesis

henrya

[tom00_uk]

should make no difference unless some conditioning has happened, its highly unlikely though some one in your neighbour hood will have set up a smiler looking and colour feeder and then made the experience unpleasant for the user

[davecatt]

Just a thought, but cant help thinking a white bird table would stand out and attract the eye of passing predators such as sparrow hawks. A bird feeding on such a light back ground would be clearly visible.
Dave

[STYRBJORN]

Originally Posted by davecatt

Just a thought, but cant help thinking a white bird table would stand out and attract the eye of passing predators such as sparrow hawks. A bird feeding on such a light back ground would be clearly visible.
Dave

My reaction too. Also moggies. If you want to photograph the birds, why not put up a white sheet as background to an unpainted table?

A bit off topic, but it just occurred to me to wonder what preservative should be used on bird tables and boxes?

Ric

[thunder]

Originally Posted by davecatt

Just a thought, but cant help thinking a white bird table would stand out and attract the eye of passing predators such as sparrow hawks. A bird feeding on such a light back ground would be clearly visible.
Dave

Predators have good enough eyesight that I doubt a white table will make any measurable difference!

Dovecots are often white.

henrya

[Kayleigh]

If you do paint it dont get cheep paint as some contain lead illegally.
I would leave it natural as wood has a natural cleanser.

[STYRBJORN]

Originally Posted by thunder

Predators have good enough eyesight that I doubt a white table will make any measurable difference!

Dovecots are often white.

henrya

Have you ever seen what doves do on them? No wonder they're white.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by styrbjorn

have you ever seen what doves do on them? No wonder they're white.

hehehehehe