Everything you need to know about Painted Perches, from finding birdhouses to becoming part of the trail.
Painted Perches is a local, community-focused art project of hand-painted birdhouses. Each birdhouse is made by a neighbour (young and old), cared for by neighbours, and has its own (optional) page on the trail map. It's a neighbourhood project, a platform to bring people together and create a little more whimsy in our lives.
The main trail runs along LeBreton St N, between Gladstone Ave and Somerset St W in Ottawa's Chinatown. But anyone, from anywhere, is invited to take part by hanging a birdhouse and adding it to the map in their neighbourhood. You can find every location on our interactive map; the ones along the main trail are all within walking distance of each other.
We give away birdhouses at no cost. Pick one up at one of our painting events or request one through our Get Involved page, and paint it at home on your own schedule: no deadline, no pressure. Once it's ready, send us a request and we'll email you a link and access code so you can set up its page on the trail.
Absolutely. You don't need a portfolio or any formal training; if you can hold a brush, you're qualified. Grab a free birdhouse, paint it however you like, send us a request, and we'll email you a link and access code to set up its page. You can name it, tell its story, add photos: all yours. Or just hang it and let it be a hidden gem to be discovered organically. Want to build your own birdhouse from scratch? That works the same way.
If you have a fence, balcony, storefront, or any spot visible from the street, you can host. You don't have to paint it yourself either; hosting and painting are two different roles. The birdhouse's location goes on the map (if desired), and visitors can read about the artist and birdhouse on its page. Get in touch through our Get Involved page to sign up.
No committee. No board. Painted Perches is an idea started by Jesse Burcsik, a sometimes artist, builder of things, and proud long-time Ottawa resident. There's no organization behind it, just one person who wanted to create a little more whimsy through birdhouses in his neighbourhood. The project is a platform for community building, and it wouldn't exist without the support and participation of friends, family, local neighbours, and businesses.
Many birdhouses have their own page on our website. Open the trail map, find the birdhouse near where you spotted it, and you'll see who painted it, what inspired it, and possibly who's caring for it. It's how we connect the physical art to the story behind it.
Yes, please. Birdhouses are free because of community support, and every dollar goes toward materials, paint kits, events, and keeping the trail growing. If you'd like to contribute, anything and everything helps; use the contact form on the homepage to inquire. It's not expected, though; we're doing everything we can to keep this completely free for neighbours.
Weather, wear, and the occasional mishap are part of outdoor art. If you notice a damaged or missing birdhouse, let us know through the contact form. We'll work with the host and artist to repair or replace it. The trail is meant to be lived-in and experienced, not precious things to fawn over from afar.
That depends on the host and the artist. Some birdhouses stay up year-round, some come inside for the winter, and some may be part of a future end-of-season showcase at Chinatown Remixed 2026. The trail is designed to evolve; nothing is permanent, and that's part of what makes it interesting. If you're hosting birdhouses and want them removed, we'll absolutely help with that.
Yes, and thank you! Head to the Support the Trail page, pick an amount, and we'll email you an Interac e-Transfer request for it. Every dollar goes straight back into paint, brushes, and birdhouses.