Asked on Jun 11, 2017

What kind of paint would be safe to use on my hummingbird feeder?

Kathy Clark
by Kathy Clark
The red plastic top and bottom of my hummer bird feeder have faded badly, along with the yellow blossoms that they feed from. What paint would be safe for the birds and would still stick to the plastic? I know they aren't expensive to replace, this one is sentimental. Thanks
  7 answers
  • Susan Susan on Jun 11, 2017

    since it's a cheap plastic one - I wouldn't trust any paint from melting it! Just get a new one - it was glass or metal - I would ask my Lowes or Home Depot paint dept.

  • Mae Garrels Mae Garrels on Jun 12, 2017

    If you want birds to come to your bird feeders or bird houses, you should not use any paint. I know, I too see all these pretty little birdhouses to hang in the gardens for the birds, but paints are dangerous to the birds. You've seen birds pecking at fence post, houses, anything wood? Most paints have materials that are poison to the birds. Those looks pretty in the garden, I myself have some, but the birds do not use any of those houses...... Please use natural materials if you want the birds to use them. They do use the ones that have no paint on them. Just plain wood. I'm really more interested in having the birds come to the yard in some areas. That's where I put the natural wood with food.

    • Ellis Ellis on Jun 12, 2017

      Hummingbirds need to see colorful feeders. That is what makes them feed.

  • Ellis Ellis on Jun 12, 2017

    If it is plastic, I would think about a new feeder. Paint doesn't adhere well to plastics, and the cost of paint would probably be almost as much as a new feeder.

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Jun 12, 2017

    You can also get a really pretty wood or metal one from a dollar store- and give it a beautiful paint job- have fun with it!

  • Cindy Mellen Cindy Mellen on Sep 30, 2017

    I checked at Home Depot about non-toxic paint to for my hummingbird feeders plastic flowers. This had been recommended to keep the bees away as they are attracted to the yellow in the flowers. Home Depot paints ALL contain Toxins. Do not use any of these for our precious little friends.


  • Sandra Callender Sandra Callender on Mar 28, 2019

    Can I paint the inside of a metal hummingbird feeder base with rustoleum, it seems that be rusting and I don't think the like it for that reason, I clean and change frequently

  • Nancy Nancy on Jun 06, 2019

    I two decided to repaint my hummingbird feeder‘s the flowers to restore them to the bright red are used Anita‘s outdoor acrylic paint because it said non-toxic but now I’m wondering did I do the right thing if anybody has any information on Anita‘s outdoor acrylic paint please respond with feedback before I fill the feeders and put them outside the paint did adhered to the plastic no problem

    • Michael Michael on Feb 20, 2022

      Red fingernail polish works great for the feeder flowers