Are hummingbirds attracted to colors other than red?

Hummingbirds are known for being drawn to the color red. Bright red feeders are a common sighting in many backyards, as homeowners try to attract these small, energetic birds. The color red is so associated with hummingbirds that it may lead some to believe it’s the only color that appeals to them. But is this true? Do hummingbirds like colors other than red?

Summary

While red is an effective color for attracting hummingbirds, these birds are not exclusively drawn to the color red. Hummingbirds have good color vision and can see colors across the visible spectrum. They are attracted to different colors of flowers they feed on, including shades of orange, yellow, blue, purple and pink. Red feeders are very effective at grabbing their attention, but incorporating additional colors into landscaping and feeders can help provide more feeding opportunities for hummingbirds.

Do hummingbirds see color?

Hummingbirds have excellent color vision. Their eyes contain four types of cone cells, which allow them to see colors on the visible spectrum from near ultraviolet to red. Hummingbirds can see shades of color that humans cannot detect without special equipment. This advanced color vision is an adaptation that helps hummingbirds identify and seek out plants for food.

Cone cells and color perception

Hummingbirds have four types of cone cells in their retinas that are sensitive to different light wavelengths:

• Near-ultraviolet – 370 nanometers
• Short wavelength (blue) – 440 nanometers
• Medium wavelength (green) – 540 nanometers
• Long wavelength (red) – 620 nanometers

Having four types allows hummingbirds to perceive a wide spectrum of color. In comparison, humans only have three types of cone cells that detect red, green and blue wavelengths. The near-ultraviolet cones give hummingbirds an enhanced ability to detect the ultraviolet “colors” that many flowers display to attract pollinators.

Feeding adaptations

The excellent color vision of hummingbirds has evolved to help them efficiently find flower resources. Hummingbirds rely heavily on nectar as an energy source. The ability to distinguish different colors allows them to quickly identify flowers and feed on them.

Hummingbirds also have color preferences when it comes to the flowers they feed from. They tend to prefer warmer-toned shades of red, orange and pink flowers. Cooler shades of blue and purple flowers are also visited, but may be less attractive to some hummingbird species.

Do hummingbirds have color preferences?

Research indicates hummingbirds are attracted to certain colors more than others when visiting flowers. This is likely due to co-evolution between hummingbirds and certain flower species. Here are some general color preferences that hummingbirds display:

Red

Bright red is highly attractive to hummingbirds. They have a strong response to the color red because it signals a good nectar source. Many tubular flowers adapted to be pollinated specifically by hummingbirds utilize red coloration.

Orange

Shades of orange are also very attractive to hummingbirds. Orange flowers like trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle and lantana draw in hummingbirds.

Yellow

Pale and bright yellow blooms will attract hummingbirds. Flowers like honeysuckle, currant and nasturtium come in yellow varieties that hummingbirds will visit.

Pink

Many pink tubular flowers rely on hummingbirds for pollination. Fuchsias, bee balm and fire pink attract hummingbirds with their bright pink petals.

Purple

Cooler shades of purple, from pale lavender to deep violet, will attract some hummingbird species. Sages, lilacs, columbine and lobelia all produce flowers hummingbirds will feed from.

Blue

While less preferential than red/orange flowers, bluish shades will also entice hummingbirds. Salvia, morning glory and agastache produce blue blooms frequented by these tiny birds.

Do hummingbirds visit non-red feeders?

Since hummingbirds can perceive many colors, they will visit feeders in colors other than red. Here are some tips for using non-red feeders:

• Orange, yellow, pink and purple feeders can attract hummingbirds.
• Try to choose bright, saturated shades that contrast with green foliage.
• Place feeders near red blooming flowers to increase their attractiveness.
• Move feeder locations around to determine color preferences in your yard.
• Clean feeders regularly and use fresh nectar to encourage more visitation.

While red feeders tend to be the most effective, offering diversity by incorporating other colors provides more options for hummingbirds to utilize.

Example feeder colors

What colors attract the most hummingbirds?

While hummingbirds visit a rainbow of flowers, scientific research indicates that warm red, orange and pink shades are often the most preferential and attract the greatest number of hummingbirds.

Red is highly attractive

In multiple studies, red feeders and red artificial flowers attracted 2-3 times as many hummingbird visits compared to other colors, suggesting red is a top choice for these birds. Red flowers they pollinate, like bee balm and cardinal flower, are abundant from summer into fall.

Orange is also appealing

After red, orange appears to be another top pick for hummingbird colors. Bright orange blooms like trumpet vine and trumpet honeysuckle receive frequent hummingbird traffic. Orange feeders were also found to be more attractive than other non-red options.

Pink is preferred over purple/blue

Research indicates hummingbirds are more drawn to pink flowers than purple or blue ones. It seems the warmer tone of pink is more appealing. Many specialized hummingbird plants like fuchsias and fire pink utilize pink colors to target these pollinators.

Purple and blue less effective

While hummingbirds visit cooler shades of purple and blue, these colors are less effective at attracting hummingbirds compared to warmer reds, oranges and pinks. Blue and purple can supplement other flowering plants, but having some red/orange/pink flowers and feeders may work best to maximize hummingbird numbers.

Tips for using color to attract hummingbirds

Here are some tips for utilizing color when trying to draw hummingbirds to your yard:

• Have multiple red feeders in visible locations to grab their attention.
• Plant red, orange and pink tubular flowers they can feed on like bee balm, fuchsia and honeysuckle.
• Incorporate other flower colors like purple and yellow for diversity.
• Use an orange, yellow, or pink feeder alongside a red one.
• Position feeders near flowers/bushes so the colors are linked visually.
• Rotate feeder placement to see which spot/color attracts more hummingbirds.
• Keep feeders freshly cleaned and filled with nectar to encourage more usage.

Key Points

• Hummingbirds have excellent color vision with 4 types of cone cells.
• They can see a wide spectrum of color, including ultraviolet shades.
• Hummingbirds are preferentially attracted to red and reddish-orange flowers.
• They will also visit pink, purple, yellow and blue flowering plants.
• Feeders in colors besides red can attract hummingbirds, especially brighter warm tones.
• Using a diversity of flower and feeder colors provides more feeding opportunities for hummingbirds.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds are attracted to more than just the color red. While red feeders and flowers grab their attention, incorporating additional colors creates a more diverse habitat with multiple appealing options. Using different colored blooms and feeders can increase hummingbird traffic by providing various visual cues to these tiny, colorful birds.