Hummingbirds are known for being attracted to the color red. Red tube or funnel-shaped flowers, like trumpet vines, are hummingbird magnets. The color red signals to hummingbirds that there is nectar inside the flower for them to drink. This draw to red is so strong that many hummingbird feeders are made bright red to attract these tiny birds. But do hummingbirds only like the color red?
Do hummingbirds like other flower colors?
While red is an obvious favorite, hummingbirds are attracted to more than just that one color. Here are some of the other flower colors that appeal to hummingbirds:
- Orange – Trumpet creeper, lantana, and others
- Yellow – Hollyhocks, fuchsia, lilies
- Purple – Lilac, sage, phlox
- Pink – Roses, fuchsia, bee balm
- Blue – Hydrangea, salvias, morning glories
- White – Yarrow, buckwheat, nicotiana
Hummingbirds do not have a strong sense of smell. They locate flowers primarily through their sense of sight. Their excellent color vision allows them to see shades of red, orange, and yellow—colors that stand out vividly to them.
While hummingbirds can see other colors, such as blue, purple, pink, and white, these cooler shades do not attract them as strongly. However, they will still feed from flowers in these shades, especially if that is the predominant flower color available.
Do hummingbirds have color preferences?
Research has shown that hummingbirds do have color preferences when visiting flowers:
- Red – The highest preference, signaling nectar
- Orange – Nearly as attractive as red
- Yellow – A moderately strong attraction
- Green – A neutral color that neither attracts nor deters
- Blue – Somewhat unattractive compared to warmer colors
- Purple – Less attractive unless very dark, closer to red
In one study, hummingbirds consistently chose red artificial flowers over blue ones, even when both contained equal amounts of nectar. Their beaks are perfectly adapted to feed from bright, tubular blossoms.
Why are hummingbirds strongly attracted to red?
There are a few key reasons hummingbirds target red flowers:
- Red stands out against green foliage, making the flowers easy to spot.
- The color red appears black to hummingbirds, creating a strong contrast.
- Red flowers typically have higher nectar content than other colors.
- Hummingbirds have evolved to associate red with nectar rewards.
Flowers actually adapted their petal colors to appeal to pollinators. Since hummingbirds play a key role in flower pollination, plants developed striking red blooms with ample nectar to attract these small birds.
Do hummingbirds have a hard time seeing red?
It may seem strange that hummingbirds are so attracted to red when they can’t easily see that color. Hummingbirds see well into the ultraviolet spectrum, which reveals colors not visible to humans. But they have very limited sensitivity to wavelengths in the red part of the spectrum.
So how does red appeal so strongly to hummingbirds if they can hardly see it? Researchers found that although the birds only see dull shades of red, those shades stand out boldly from the green background of leaves. Solid red looks black to a hummingbird. This high contrast allows red flowers to pop in their vision.
How do hummingbirds see color?
Hummingbirds have four types of color cones in their eyes to detect various light wavelengths. Their retina has:
- A single cone for red
- A single cone for green
- A single cone for blue
- An ultraviolet-sensitive cone
By comparison, humans have three types of cones that sense red, blue, and green light. A key difference is that hummingbirds can see UV light, which makes certain patterns visible on flowers that are otherwise invisible to us.
Do male and female hummingbirds see colors differently?
Research indicates that male hummingbirds can see colors better than females. Scientists studied the behavioral responses of broad-tailed hummingbirds to various colored feeders. They found males were more attuned to differences in color shades.
It’s believed male hummingbirds have superior color vision to help them spot and pursue females. Females have more muted plumage in shades of brown and green, while males display dazzling, iridescent feathers to attract mates.
How does iridescence attract hummingbirds?
Iridescence is caused by tiny structures on feather barbules that reflect light. By shifting angle, the color appears to change. Males flash their brightly-colored gorgets during courtship displays.
The shimmering rainbow effect likely helps catch the female’s eye. And studies show iridescent feathers are a sign of fitness and good nutrition, making the male an attractive potential mate.
Do hummingbirds visit flowers at certain times based on color?
Researchers set up an experiment involving artificial flowers in different colors, observed at varying times of day. They found:
- In the morning, hummingbirds preferred red and orange flowers.
- In the afternoon, they shifted to favoring yellow and green flowers.
- By late afternoon, white flowers became more attractive.
This suggests hummingbirds are flexible in seeking different nectar sources throughout the day. They appear to prefer bold, warm colors in the morning and transition to paler, cooler shades later on.
What colors should hummingbird feeders be?
Since studies show hummingbirds have an innate preference for red above other colors, most bird feeders meant to attract them are red. Feeders come in various shades:
- Bright red
- Scarlet
- Crimson
- Ruby
However, they will adapt to feeders in other colors once they discover the nectar reward inside. Oranges, yellows, blues, and purples will all attract hummingbirds, though they likely won’t be quite as irresistible as red.
Do hummingbirds prefer certain flower shapes?
In addition to color, hummingbirds target flowers with certain shapes that are easy to feed from:
- Tubular
- Funnel shaped
- Bell shaped
- Trumpet shaped
Their long, slender beaks and tongues are perfectly designed to reach into these type of flowers and lap up nectar. Wider flowers with more exposed nectar pockets, like daisies and chrysanthemums, are more suited to insects.
How many flower species rely on hummingbirds for pollination?
Hummingbirds play a key role in pollinating many flowering species. Some estimates indicate they are the primary pollinator for:
- Up to 1,000 species in North America
- 90 bromeliad species
- 150 species in the southwestern U.S. alone
Examples of plants pollinated by hummingbirds include:
- Columbine
- Trumpet creeper
- Penstemon
- Fuchsia
- Silverbush
- Salvia
- Coral bells
- Camellia
- Fire pink
- Impatiens
Their symbiotic relationship causes these flowers to be perfectly adapted for pollination by hummingbirds through their vivid colors, tubular shape, ample nectar, and lack of scent.
Do hummingbirds remember favorite flower locations?
Research indicates hummingbirds do have spatial memory and recall where reliable nectar sources are located. Scientists conducted an experiment where 20 hummingbirds visited artificial flowers filled with nectar along set foraging routes. The birds learned to skip empty flowers and fly directly between feeders.
When researchers swapped the locations of empty and full feeders, the hummingbirds continued flying the original routes. But after discovering the change, they adapted and altered their preferred trails to visit the newly-filled flowers.
How many flower species have coevolved with hummingbirds?
Coevolution refers to two species adapting in ways that benefit each other. Hummingbirds and the plants they pollinate have developed an intimate coevolutionary relationship over thousands of years:
- Flowers evolved traits for hummingbird pollination – bright red tubes full of nectar
- Hummingbirds evolved long bills and tongues perfectly suited to those flowers
This interdependent evolution has shaped over 100 plant genera in the Americas alone. Examples where hummingbirds played a key role in the flower species’ evolution include:
- Sages
- Columbines
- Penstemons
- Honeysuckles
- Fuchsias
- Lilies
- Silverbush
The geographic ranges of these plants expanded along with the territories of hummingbirds. This close evolutionary relationship has benefited both groups tremendously.
Conclusion
While red flowers have the strongest attraction, hummingbirds visit and pollinate diverse flowering species in many colors. Their excellent color vision and adaptability allow them to target nectar sources across the color spectrum. The innate preference for red shapes many aspects of hummingbird behavior and ecology, causing them to play a key role in the evolution of their favorite flowers.
