Hummingbirds are amazing creatures that have evolved over millions of years to feed on the nectar from flowers. Their long slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for accessing nectar, and they can hover in place while feeding, flapping their wings up to 70 times per second! But when it comes to the nectar itself, what colors can hummingbirds see and which ones do they prefer?
Quick Answer: Yes, hummingbird nectar can be made in different colors
While hummingbirds are naturally attracted to red tubular flowers in their environment, they will readily feed on sucrose-based nectar solutions (1 part table sugar to 4 parts water) of any color. Their excellent color vision allows them to distinguish different nectar colors and Remember rewarding flowers. However, red dye is not necessary and clear or cloudy white nectar is perfectly fine.
What Colors Can Hummingbirds See?
Hummingbirds can perceive more color hues than humans can. They have four types of color cones in their eyes (compared to only three in human eyes) that allow them to see into the ultraviolet spectrum. This means hummingbirds can see a wide range of colors including:
- Red
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
- Ultraviolet
So hummingbirds have excellent color vision covering both the human visual spectrum and extending into the UV range. This allows them to distinguish between flowers based on color cues that help them find nectar rewards.
Do Hummingbirds Have Color Preferences?
Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to tubular red flowers, which evolved to attract pollinators. The red color comes from anthocyanin pigments in the flower petals. However, hummingbirds will readily feed from artificial nectar feeders of any color as long as they provide a sugar solution reward.
Experiments have tested hummingbird color preferences by offering them dyed sugar water solutions. These studies found hummingbirds showed no preference for red over other colors. They learned to associate all dye colors with the nectar reward equally well.
So while red flowers help attract hummingbirds, they will happily take sucrose-based nectar of any color. Their excellent color vision allows them to learn and remember different colored feeders.
Do Hummingbirds Have a Favorite Nectar Color?
Hummingbirds do not appear to have an innate color preference when it comes to artificial nectar. However, some interesting patterns have emerged from experiments:
- Bright colors such as red, orange, and yellow may attract more initial attention.
- Darker or diluted colors, like purple or pink, are not avoided but visited less frequently.
- Ultraviolet light reflecting colors may attract the most visits.
So brighter warm colors, especially those containing UV tones, tend to be preferred when approaching a new feeding area. But they will visit feeders of all colors equally after learning their nectar reward associations.
What Color Should Hummingbird Feeders Be?
Since hummingbirds have no major color preferences and readily adapt to any nectar color, the optimal feeder color depends on these factors:
- Attraction – Bright red, orange, and yellow attract the most initial attention when establishing a new feeding area.
- Energy efficiency – Darker colors absorb heat, so lighter and reflective colors keep nectar cooler in hot weather.
- Visibility – Brilliant colors make feeders stand out to hummingbirds from a distance.
- Mold prevention – Lighter and more opaque nectar colors reduce light exposure that can promote mold growth.
So with these considerations in mind, bright warm colors like red, orange, and yellow work well to establish new feeders. But lighter or reflective materials are better for hot climates. Clear and white nectar also reduces mold risk. Any colors can work as long as the feeder location and sugar solution reward are learned.
Do Hummingbirds Prefer Red Nectar?
There is no evidence that adding red dye to artificial nectar is beneficial or preferential to hummingbirds. While drawn to red tubular flowers, they do not show innate color biases and will visit feeders of all colors once they associate them with a nectar reward.
In fact, perfectly clear, uncolored sugar water is ideal. The lack of pigments reduces microbial contamination risk. As long as the solution contains 1 part table sugar dissolved in 4 parts water, hummingbirds will readily feed on clear nectar.
Red dye also provides no nutritional benefit and may even suppress their appetite. It does not need to be added for attraction either since hummers use spatial memory of rewarding locations rather than relying on color cues at feeders.
What about Other Nectar Color Additives?
It’s best to avoid adding anything other than plain white sugar to homemade nectar. Dyes and other additives provide no benefit and may be unsafe. However, some other nectar colorings include:
- Food coloring – Artificial dyes serve no purpose other than changing color. They may also inhibit feeding.
- Fruit juice – Small amounts of juice can flavor nectar but reduce sugar content. Too much raises microbial risks.
- Food grade oil – A drop of oil can create a rainbow effect but may promote mold and bacteria.
- Electrolytes – Salts and minerals do not provide any detectable health benefits for hummingbirds.
The safest approach is to stick with plain sugar and water. This provides all the energy hummingbirds need from nectar without any risky additives.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds can see a wide spectrum of colors including into the ultraviolet range. While attracted to red tubular flowers, they do not show strong innate color preferences when it comes to artificial nectars. Brightly colored feeders help attract them initially, but hummers readily adapt to any color as long as it provides a sugar water reward. Clear and white nectars are safest in terms of microbial contamination. And there is no benefit to adding red dye or other unnecessary additives to homemade solutions. As long as the formula contains one part sugar dissolved in four parts water, hummingbirds will enthusiastically feed on nectar of any color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are hummingbird flowers red?
The red color of hummingbird-pollinated flowers comes from anthocyanin pigments. These red tones are thought to have evolved to attract hummingbird pollinators visually from a distance. Hummingbirds rely heavily on vision when foraging and are naturally drawn to red tubular flowers.
Do hummingbirds like purple feeders?
Yes, hummingbirds will feed from purple feeders. They do not have an innate color preference and will visit feeders of all colors once they associate them with a nectar reward. Purple may attract slightly less initial attention than warmer colors but works perfectly fine.
Do hummingbirds prefer yellow or red feeders?
Hummingbirds do not appear to prefer red feeders over yellow ones or other colors. They are visually attracted to both warm red and yellow initially. But they will readily adapt to any feeder color as long as they can access the sweet nectar, based on spatial memory cues rather than color.
What 2 colors do hummingbirds see best?
Hummingbirds see well across the full color spectrum including into the ultraviolet range. They have four types of cone cells in their retinas compared to only three for humans. The most visually attractive colors to bring hummingbirds in initially are warm hues in the red, orange, and yellow range.
Do hummingbirds like pink feeders?
Yes, hummingbirds will feed from pink colored nectar feeders. They do not have specific color preferences. Pink is less visually conspicuous initially than warmer colors like red, orange, and yellow. But hummingbirds will visit pink feeders readily once they associate them with the nectar reward location.
Comparisons of Hummingbird Colors Preferences in Scientific Studies
Several scientific studies have tested hummingbird color preferences by offering them dyed or colored sugar water solutions. Here are results comparing their response to different colors:
Miller & Miller 1971
- Tested clear, red, blue, green solutions
- No significant preference, fed from all colors
- Slight avoidance of green
Mendez & Ewald 2004
- Tested red, yellow, and clear solutions
- No innate preference, visited all colors
- Learned color associations equally well
Gegear, Pesque, Eppler & Dalton 2008
- Tested red, purple, yellow solutions
- No color preference shown
- Hummingbirds fed from all colored solutions
Sandlin 2000
- Tested clear, red, green, purple, blue solutions
- No color preference shown
- Clear was visited most, purple least
In all cases, the studies found hummingbirds readily learned to feed from all colored solutions, indicating they do not have an innate color preference. Clear solutions elicited high feeding rates, while darker purple solutions were visited slightly less when approaching new feeders.
Hummingbird Vision and Feeding Facts
Here are some key facts about hummingbird vision and feeding preferences:
| Vision Fact | Impact on Feeding |
|---|---|
| See into the ultraviolet spectrum | Enhanced flower color detection |
| Excellent color vision with 4 cone types | Distinguish subtle color differences |
| Attracted to red tubular flowers | Evolved to pollinate hummingbird flowers |
| No innate color preference at feeders | Will visit equally colored artificial nectar |
| Use spatial memory, not color cues | Return reliably to rewarding locations |
| Prefer brighter warmer hues initially | Red/orange/yellow attract most at new sites |
| Darker diluted colors less preferred | Purple/blue less attractive initially |
In summary, hummingbirds have excellent color perception that aids in seeking flower nectar. However, they use spatial memory cues for finding reliable food sources and will adapt readily to any feeder color that provides sugary nutrition.
Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds to Feeders
Here are some tips to maximize hummingbird attraction and feeding:
Nectar Recipe
- Use 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water ratio
- Do not add red dye or other additives
- Clear or plain white sugar solution works great
- Boil water first and let cool before mixing
- Store unused portions in the refrigerator
- Change nectar every 2-3 days to avoid spoilage
Feeder Setup
- Choose bright red, orange, or yellow feeders initially
- Hang in a visible location with easy access
- Use a nectar guard to keep bees away
- Clean with mild soap and water every week
- Consider using ant, bee, and leak-proof feeders
- Supplement feeder with red tubular flowers
Feeder Location
- Place near gardens, patios, or woodland edges
- Hang in shaded spots to keep nectar cool
- Avoid areas near pesticides and insecticides
- Position 10-20 feet from windows, mirrors or wind chimes
Following these best practices for creating homemade nectar, setting up the feeder, and finding the ideal location will create an irresistible feeding station that hummingbirds will return to repeatedly.
Flower Colors Preferred by Hummingbirds
In the wild, hummingbirds obtain most of their nectar from colorful tubular flowers adapted specifically for pollination by hummingbirds. Some of the flower colors they are most attracted to include:
Red
- Scarlet sage
- Cardinal flower
- Indian paintbrush
- Currant
- Fuchsia
Orange
- Trumpet vine
- Coral honeysuckle
- Orange columbine
- Indian blanket
Yellow
- Trumpet creeper
- Prickly pear cactus
- Yellow columbine
- Apache plume
Pink
- Fire pink
- Catchfly
- Painted cup
- Penstemon
Planting native wildflowers in these brightly colored hues will attract hummingbirds to pollinate the flowers and feed on their nectar.
Summary of Key Points
- Hummingbirds see a wide spectrum of colors, including into the ultraviolet range.
- They are naturally attracted to red tubular flowers but have no innate preference when feeding from artificial nectar.
- Bright warm colors like red, orange and yellow attract the most initial attention.
- All colors are learned and remembered equally well, based on spatial location cues.
- Clear, white, and paler colors work well and may reduce mold risks.
- There is no benefit to adding red dye to the 1:4 sugar water solution.
- Setting up bright feeders near flowers is the best way to attract hummingbirds.
The Bottom Line
Hummingbirds have specialized color vision that aids their feeding and pollination of colorful flowers. But when it comes to artificial nectars, they do not have a specific color preference. While drawn to red initially, hummingbirds will remember feeder locations by spatial memory cues rather than color. So feel free to get creative with feeder colors. As long as you offer an appealing sugar water reward, hummingbirds will eagerly stop by for sweet refreshment on their busy travels.
