Hummingbirds are known for being attracted to brightly colored flowers, especially red ones. However, some people claim that purple flowers attract hummingbirds even more than red. In this article, we’ll examine the evidence on hummingbird color preferences and try to determine whether they really do prefer purple over red.
Quick Answers
Hummingbirds have excellent color vision and are drawn to red, orange, and pink flowers. This is because these colors tend to indicate a good nectar source. However, hummingbirds will visit flowers of any color and can adapt their preferences based on food availability. Some evidence suggests hummingbirds may be particularly attracted to purple flowers, but more research is needed in natural settings. Their color preferences can also vary by species.
Hummingbird Vision and Color Detection
Hummingbirds have evolved to perceive colors very differently than humans do. They have four color cones in their eyes that allow them to see into the ultraviolet spectrum. This means they can see colors that are invisible to us. Hummingbirds also have an excellent ability to distinguish between similar shades that humans would simply classify as “red.”
Their visual system is perfectly adapted to detect flower colors. The red pigments in many flowering plants reflect strongly in the spectrum visible to hummingbirds. That is why red, orange and bright pink flowers tend to catch their attention from a distance.
Color Preference Experiments
Scientists have conducted various experiments to try to determine color preferences in hummingbirds. One common method is using a setting with artificial feeders in different colors and recording which ones the hummingbirds visit most often.
One study compared 10 different colored sucrose solutions. The hummingbirds clearly preferred the reddish colors to blue-green, purple and UV solutions. Their top choices were red, orange and hot pink.
Another experiment used a special imaging technique to model what colors look like to hummingbird eyes versus human eyes. When given a choice between a blue and purple flower, humans saw little difference between the colors. But the flowers appeared dramatically different to the hummingbirds.
Advantages of Red Flowers
There are several reasons red flowers have an advantage when it comes to attracting hummingbird pollinators:
- Bright red pigments reflect strongly in the wavelengths that hummingbirds see.
- Red often indicates a high nectar content.
- Red stands out against green foliage, making the flowers easier to spot.
- Flowers across a wide range of plant species produce red varieties.
These factors mean that hummingbirds frequently encounter and learn to associate red flowers with nutritious nectar meals. This positive reinforcement likely develops an innate preference for red in many hummingbird species.
The Case for Purple
While red is an excellent flower color to catch a hummingbird’s attention, some research suggests purple flowers may be equally or even more attractive. Here’s some of the evidence that purple competes well with red:
Purple May Indicate High Nectar Content
A group of researchers found that native purple sage flowers produced significantly more nectar than red varieties. They hypothesized that hummingbirds may have learned to associate the purple color with higher food rewards.
In behavioral tests, the hummingbirds did show a preference for the purple sage flowers, even though red sages are also common in their habitat. This suggests they were using visual cues to make foraging decisions.
Purple Stands Out Against Foliage
While red is a standout color against green leaves, purple flowers can also be extremely distinctive in a natural setting. Purple produces a high visual contrast against the yellow-green backdrop of leaves and grasses.
In fact, a study in pine forests found hummingbirds visited purple crocus flowers at higher rates than red flowers, possibly because the purple stood out more in that environment.
UV Reflectance May Play a Role
Purple flowers also reflect significant amounts of UV light. Since hummingbirds see into the ultraviolet spectrum, this may add to the visual appeal of purple blooms. The extra dimension of color variation we cannot perceive may differentiate purple from red in the eyes of a hummingbird.
Red vs. Purple Preference Varies by Species
Hummingbirds are not a uniform group – there are over 300 different species. Their color preferences appear to vary somewhat based on regional habitats and food sources.
For example, the ruby-throated hummingbird which inhabits Eastern North America seems to prefer red flowers over other colors. Yet the rufous hummingbird in the West readily visits purple flowers such as lupine and thistle.
Some researchers have proposed that Western hummingbirds are more attracted to purple because those species have historically had access to more purple flowering plants. However, it’s also possible there is an innate biological basis for these color preferences.
There may also be differences between males and females. Some evidence indicates male hummingbirds tend to prefer red flowers, while females are more often spotted at purple blooms when feeding.
Purple Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds
Here are some popular purple flowers that hummingbirds love:
Lupine
These spike-shaped blooms come in a variety of colors including purple. Hummingbirds like their high nectar content.
Lilac
Lilacs range from pale lavender to deep violet. Their clusters of tiny blossoms produce plenty of nectar.
Hyssop
Both pink and purple varieties of this mint attract hummingbirds. They have a long blooming season from midsummer into fall.
Iris
These classic blooms feature purple, blue, and yellow blossoms. Irises have co-evolved with hummingbirds in many regions.
Columbine
These beautiful spring wildflowers have red and yellow varieties, and also bloom in purples and blues.
Purple Coneflower
Echinacea comes in shades of purple, pink, and white. The petals tend to droop, providing a landing spot.
Salvia
This diverse plant genus includes the purple salvia that seems to be a hummingbird favorite in studies.
Fuchsia
Fuchsias often feature a mix of purple and pink with red centers. Hummingbirds enjoy their unique shape.
Pentas
These flowers have small clustered blossoms in purple, pink, red, and white. They bloom continuously in hot weather.
Butterfly Bush
As their name suggests, butterfly bushes attract butterflies with their colorful blossoms. But hummingbirds visit them too.
Petunia
Popular garden annuals, petunias come in a huge variety of colors including purples, reds, whites, and multicolors.
Verbena
Low-growing verbena plants typically have clusters of small purple or red flowers. They grow well in containers.
Monarda
Also known as bee balm, monarda produces dense, rounded purple flower heads. Hummingbirds enjoy the tubular shape.
This list highlights just some of the purple flowers that attract hummingbirds. When gardening to draw hummingbirds, it’s good to include a diverse mix of flower colors and shapes.
Conclusion
Studies show hummingbirds have an innate preference for red and orange flowers, and they strongly associate these bright colors with nectar rewards. However, hummingbirds also readily visit all flower colors, including purple blooms.
There is some evidence that specific shades of purple may be highly attractive to certain hummingbird species, perhaps even rivaling red. Their color preferences seem to be shaped by habitat, food availability, and co-evolution with native plants.
For the best results attracting hummingbirds to a garden, offer blossoms in a variety of colors, including plenty of red and purple options. This will cater to the preferences of the different hummingbird species in your region. A diversity of flower shapes, densities and bloom times will also help attract these energetic pollinators.
| Flower Color | Attractiveness to Hummingbirds |
|---|---|
| Red | High |
| Orange | High |
| Purple | Moderate to high |
| Pink | Moderate to high |
| Yellow | Low |
| Blue | Low |
This table provides a general overview of flower color attractiveness for hummingbirds.
