Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures. They are the smallest birds in the world, yet they are capable of incredible feats. One of the most intriguing things about hummingbirds is their ability to detect sources of nectar, namely sugar water feeders placed outside by humans. But how exactly do they know that a feeder contains their favorite sugary treat?
Keen sense of vision
Hummingbirds have excellent vision and are visually oriented. They have the ability to see ultraviolet light, which allows them to find nectar sources like flowers with bright patterns that reflect UV light. This visual acuity helps hummingbirds spot artificial nectar feeders. The red dye used in commercial hummingbird food mixes is particularly attractive to hummingbirds. The vibrant color stands out against green foliage or sky. The birds can see the red feeders from far away as they fly around, drawing them in to investigate further.
Strong sense of smell
In addition to great vision, hummingbirds have a remarkably strong sense of smell for their size. They are able to detect the sweet scent of nectar from a good distance away. Sugar water and commercial nectar mixes have a fragrant sugary smell that is appealing to a hummingbird’s olfactory senses. Even a light breeze can carry the sweet aroma through the air, leading hummingbirds to home in on the promising location of the feeder.
Good memory
Hummingbirds have surprisingly good memories. Once they discover a food source, they remember where it is located. If there is a feeder regularly stocked with sugar water at a house, local hummingbirds will remember its whereabouts and make regular visits to it when they are in need of an energy boost. Even if the feeder is temporarily taken inside for cleaning, the hummingbirds will return to check the spot. Their memory allows them to keep track of reliable food stops along their travel routes.
Color vision
Hummingbirds can see a wider range of colors than humans can. While people have three types of color receptors (for red, green and blue hues), hummingbirds have a fourth receptor that allows them to also perceive ultraviolet light. This tetrachromatic vision means they can distinguish more colors. Hummingbird feeders often contain a red liquid, which stands out vividly to birds. The sugar water itself may even take on a reddish or pink hue, further signaling that it offers the nutrition the birds seek.
Curiosity and exploration
Hummingbirds have a strong drive to investigate anything new or unusual in their environments. When they notice a novel object like a feeder that has suddenly appeared, they will promptly move in to inspect it. Their curiosity compels them to explore, which brings them close enough to detect the smell and see the contents inside the feeder. This urge to examine anything different is how hummingbirds first discover new sources of food.
Association with flowers
Flowers are a natural source of nectar for hummingbirds. When the birds see bright blooms, they know to check them for a sweet reward. Even though feeders are an artificial source of nectar, their bright colors and sweet smell are reminiscent of flowers. Hummingbirds visiting a yard may first be drawn in by actual blooms. Once they associate an area with flowers and food, they will be more likely to notice and investigate a feeder placed in the same vicinity.
Energy needs
Hummingbirds have among the highest metabolism of all animals. To support their supercharged lifestyles, they need a lot of energy. This need drives them to seek out plentiful sources of fuel in the form of nectar. Roaming hummingbirds can burn up to 10 calories per hour while feeding. When they spot a promising feeder overflowing with sugar water, they are highly motivated to consume as much as possible. Their intense energy requirements make hummingbirds take advantage of reliable concentrated energy supplies like feeders.
Comfort with humans
Some hummingbirds become accustomed to the presence of humans. Residential hummingbirds that are regularly exposed to people may associate their gardens, decks and patios with reliable feeding stations stocked by human caretakers. The birds feel comfortable accessing feeders in close proximity to the humans responsible for maintaining them. This learned behavior of seeking out manmade feeders in human environments helps explain how hummingbirds know where to find the sugar water we make available.
Vision priorities when feeding
| Color | Priority |
|---|---|
| Red | Highest |
| Orange | High |
| Yellow | Moderate |
| Green | Low |
| Blue | Lowest |
When looking for nectar sources, red feeders attract hummingbirds the most strongly, followed by orange and then yellow. Green and blue feeders are less likely to get the birds’ attention. Focusing feeders in bright warm colors that hummers can see easily takes advantage of their color preferences.
Sugar preferences
| Sugar Type | Hummingbird Preference |
|---|---|
| Sucrose (table sugar) | High |
| Fructose | Very high |
| Glucose | Moderate |
| Maltose | Low |
| Lactose | None |
When it comes to sugar, hummingbirds strongly prefer sucrose and fructose. These simple sugars are easy for them to digest. Making nectar with a higher ratio of fructose and sucrose sugars will be very appealing. While glucose is acceptable, maltose and lactose are not ideal.
Feeder design features that attract hummingbirds
| Feature | Reason Attractive to Hummingbirds |
|---|---|
| Bright red dye | Mimics red flowers, stands out visually |
| Nectar guard tips | Prevents insects from drowning in nectar |
| Wide, sturdy base | Provides stability for safer feeding |
| Perches | Gives hummers a place to rest as they drink |
| UV paint accents | Visible markings to guide hummers to nectar ports |
| Drip free design | Keeps hummers clean and healthy |
| Easy cleaning | Allows fresh nectar to be served regularly |
Special hummingbird feeder designs make accessing the sugar water even easier. Features like perches,Guard tips, visible markings and a stable base create an optimal, safe feeding experience that brings hummingbirds back repeatedly.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds have an exceptional ability to locate sugary nectar from flowers and feeders to fuel their high-energy lifestyles. A combination of keen vision, smell, memory and color perception allows them to pinpoint reliable food sources. These small birds also have an innate curiosity and drive to explore that brings them close enough to recognize feeders. Meeting hummingbirds’ preferences by using red feeders with an appealing fructose-sucrose nectar recipe and convenient feeding features will create an irresistible sugar-water destination. Their incredible sensory skills and sugar cravings bring hummingbirds buzzing happily to your feeder again and again.
