Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that have captivated people for centuries. One of the most common ways that people enjoy hummingbirds is by putting out feeders filled with sugary nectar to attract them to their yards. But how exactly do hummingbirds locate these feeders? Can they smell the sweet nectar inside?
This is an interesting question that researchers have investigated in some depth. In this article, we’ll explore what’s known about hummingbird senses, dive into scientific studies on hummingbird olfaction, and discuss the implications for hummingbird feeding. Read on to learn more about whether these tiny birds can actually smell their food!
Hummingbird Senses
To understand if hummingbirds can smell nectar, it helps to first look at what we know about their sensory abilities. Hummingbirds have excellent vision, hearing, and sense of taste that they use to locate food. Here’s an overview of their main senses:
Vision
Hummingbirds have amazing visual abilities. They can see ultraviolet light, helping them find nectar-filled flowers that reflect UV wavelengths. Their color vision allows them to distinguish between different colored flowers. Hummingbirds also have a wide visual field, helping them spot food while in flight.
Hearing
In addition to sight, hummingbirds use their hearing to locate food sources. They can hear the high-pitched sounds of other hummingbirds feeding and orient towards the noise. Hummingbirds also associate the sound of bees buzzing with flower nectar.
Taste
Hummingbirds have a high taste sensitivity and can detect tiny concentrations of sugars in nectar. They prefer sweet nectar with higher sugar concentrations. Once they taste pleasing nectar, they remember the taste and return to those food sources.
Smell
Now this brings us to the main question – can hummingbirds smell? Let’s look at the evidence.
Scientific Research on Hummingbird Smell
Scientists have conducted behavioral experiments to directly test if hummingbirds use smell to locate nectar. Here are some key studies looking at hummingbird olfaction abilities:
Experiment With Essential Oils
In one experiment, researchers placed cotton swabs containing essential oils near hummingbird feeders. They used oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and thyme. The results showed that hummingbird visitation did not increase for the feeders with scented swabs compared to unscented ones. This suggested hummingbirds did not use smell to find the nectar.
Experiment With Masking Scents
In another study, scientists masked the normal smell of nectar using chemicals like thymol or terpineol. They found that hummingbirds still preferentially fed from the treated nectar sources. Masking the scents did not disrupt their feeding, indicating smell was not critical.
Analysis of Olfactory Bulb Size
Researchers have examined anatomical features of hummingbirds related to smell. They found that hummingbirds have a very small olfactory bulb structure relative to their brain size. The olfactory bulb processes scents, so its tiny size suggests reduced olfactory abilities.
Feeding Behaviors
Experts who observe hummingbirds closely note that the birds do not exhibit behavior indicating they smell nectar. They do not move their heads around or sample the air, which is how many smell-driven animals search for food. Hummingbird feeding behaviors suggest vision and hearing dominate over smell for finding nectar.
How Do Hummingbirds Locate Feeders Without Smell?
Given that scientific evidence points to hummingbirds having a poor sense of smell, how do they so adeptly locate feeders full of nectar? It comes down to their smart use of other senses:
Vision
Hummingbirds pinpoint red feeders visually from a distance. They regularly scan the environment as they fly, looking for brightly colored feeding stations. The red dye used in nectar helps them spot feeders.
Memory
Hummingbirds remember reliable food locations from past experiences. Once they feed from a location, they recognize and return to that spot using visual cues.
Hearing
Hummingbirds hear other birds making noise at active feeders. When they hear feeding activity, they approach to investigate.
Routine
Hummingbirds regularly travel established routes and stop at consistent nectar sources along these routes. This allows them to check feeders through regular foraging without relying on scent cues.
Tips for Attracting Hummingbirds Without Smell
Here are some ways to make your feeders appealing to hummingbirds based on their sense of sight, hearing, memory and routine rather than smell:
- Use bright red feeders – this color attracts hummingbirds from afar
- Place feeders near colorful flowers – hummingbirds see these while foraging
- Put feeders near trees/shelter – hummingbirds feel safe stopping with cover nearby
- Use moving water features – the sight and sound draws in hummingbirds
- Choose busy spaces – activity and noise grabs their attention
- Be consistent – keeping feeders filled in the same spots allows hummingbirds to establish a routine
Scent supplements like essential oils are not necessary and could actually deter hummingbirds that don’t like unfamiliar smells. Focus on their other senses instead!
Key Takeaways on Hummingbirds Smelling Nectar
In summary, research strongly indicates that hummingbirds have a poor sense of smell and do not rely on it to find nectar:
- Experiments show hummingbirds ignore scent cues at feeders
- Olfactory bulb anatomy suggests reduced smell ability
- Feeding behaviors do not involve smell-based searching
- Vision, hearing and memory guide them to food reliably
So while it makes logical sense that these tiny birds would use multiple senses including smell to track down nectar, the evidence does not support that hypothesis. Sight, sound and learning guide hummingbirds more than scent. Keep this in mind when putting out feeders to attract these special pollinators. With a red color, convenient location and consistent nectar offering, they will find their way!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hummingbirds have a good sense of smell?
No, research shows that hummingbirds have a poor sense of smell compared to many other bird species. The olfactory bulb part of their brain that processes scents is very small. They do not seem to rely on smell to find food.
What scent do hummingbirds like?
Hummingbirds are not attracted to any particular scent. Experiments show they ignore scented oils and do not preferentially feed from scented nectar sources. Their feeding is driven by sight, sound and memory rather than smell cues.
Do hummingbird feeders need scent to attract birds?
No, there is no need to add scents or oils to hummingbird feeders. Hummingbirds locate feeders just fine through visual and auditory cues. Added scents may actually deter hummingbirds that don’t recognize them. A red feeder in a visible spot is best to attract them.
How do hummingbirds know where feeders are?
Hummingbirds find feeders primarily through their excellent vision. The bright red color of feeders grabs their attention visually. They also remember reliable feeding locations from past experience and return to those spots routinely as part of their regular foraging routes.
Should hummingbird feeders be moved around?
It’s best not to move hummingbird feeders frequently. Hummingbirds learn and remember favorite feeding locations, so keeping feeders in steady spots allows hummingbirds to find them reliably. Moving them too much disrupts this routine. Pick visible, convenient spots and keep feeders there.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are highly visual, auditory and memory driven when it comes to finding nectar, rather than relying on their sense of smell. Scientific evidence clearly shows they do not use olfaction to locate feeders. While it may seem logical they would use scent, controlled experiments demonstrate this is not the case. Bright colors, familiar locations and a consistent nectar source are key to attracting hummingbirds without scent cues. With this in mind, you can design a hummingbird habitat that appeals to their visual, spatial and learned behaviors to draw these special birds in!
