It’s a common belief that hummingbirds are highly attracted to the color red. This idea has led many people to put out red feeders or red flowers in their gardens in hopes of attracting more hummingbirds. But is this true? Are hummingbirds actually attracted to the color red?
The short answer is yes, it’s true that hummingbirds are attracted to red. Multiple scientific studies have demonstrated that hummingbirds preferentially visit red flowers and red-colored feeders. However, the attraction is a bit more complex than just a love of the color red. Hummingbirds have evolved the ability to see parts of the color spectrum, like red, that other birds cannot. This allows them to be guided by red flower parts as they search for nectar rewards. So red serves as a feeding cue for hummingbirds that has helped them thrive over centuries of evolution.
The Importance of Nectar for Hummingbirds
To understand why hummingbirds are attracted to red, it’s helpful to know a bit more about their nutritional needs. Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolisms and must consume a lot of energy in the form of sugar to support their constant motions.
Hummingbirds get this necessary sugar in the form of floral nectar. They have evolved long, slender beaks perfect for reaching into flowers and extracting the sweet nectar rewards inside. As they dart from flower to flower accessing nectar, the hummingbirds also play a key role in pollination.
Because accessing nectar is so critical to their survival, hummingbirds have excellent color vision that helps them quickly identify flowers that will serve as good nectar sources. This is where the attraction to red comes into play.
The Role of Color Vision
Hummingbirds see more colors than humans do. Their vision extends into the ultraviolet spectrum. This allows them to perceive colors that humans cannot see.
In addition to ultraviolet sensitivity, hummingbirds have exceptional color vision in the human-visible spectrum. They have four color cones in their retinas that allow them to see red, green, blue, and, unlike humans, violet light. With these visual adaptations, hummingbirds can perceive a wide range of colors. This helps them identify and seek out flowers with their preferred nectar meals.
Research suggests hummingbirds are naturally attracted to red, orange, and yellow flower colors. These warmer colors advertise where the birds can find nectar. Red in particular stands out vividly against most green backgrounds in nature. This makes red flowers especially eye-catching signaling cues.
Studies on Hummingbird Color Preference
Field studies over the past few decades have demonstrated hummingbirds’ strong preference for red flowers or feeders. Here are a few interesting examples:
Feeder Color Preference Tests
In a 2012 study published in Oikos, researchers tracked hummingbird visits to feeders of different colors. They found hummingbirds made significantly more frequent trips to red feeders compared to other colors, indicating an attraction to red. Orange and yellow feeders got the next highest visit rates in this study.
In a more extensive 2015 study in PLOS One, 360 hummingbird feeders were observed. Again red feeders were found to have the highest visitation rate, with 40% more visits than the next closest color. Orange and yellow rounded out the top three most visited colors.
Flower Color Preference Tests
Researchers have also tested hummingbird preference by tracking visits to arrays of artificial flowers of different colors.
A 1990 study in the Canadian Journal of Zoology presented an observation tower with twenty artificial flowers in five colors. The red flowers received the most hummingbird visits by far, with yellow flowers coming in second.
Another study published in 2007 presented captive hummingbirds with bouquets of cloth flowers. The hummingbirds again showed a strong preference for red flowers, indicating an innate color bias.
Impact of Flower Color on Feeding Behaviors
Beyond tracking preferences, scientists have also studied how flower color impacts feeding.
Research in the journal Animal Behaviour in 2017 found hummingbirds spent more time feeding from red artificial flowers compared to other colors. This shows that red not only attracts the birds but encourages sustained feeding once they arrive.
Studies using video recordings have revealed hummingbirds stick their tongues fully into red flowers more frequently compared to other colors. They also lick red flowers at faster lick rates, allowing more efficient nectar collection.
These behaviors suggest that red flowers are highly stimulating and rewarding for hummingbirds. The color red triggers instinctual feeding reactions.
Why Red Attracts Hummingbirds
The tendency of hummingbirds to target red flowers makes sense given their evolutionary history. Here are some reasons red stands out for them:
High Visibility
A red object is highly conspicuous against green vegetation in nature. The contrast allows red flowers to essentially shout out their location, making them obvious targets. Hummingbirds can quickly spot these beacons.
Energy Advertisement
The warm red color is associated with nectar properties. Brighter, richer red colors advertise higher sugar concentrations. Redder flowers can promise greater energy rewards.
Shape Distinction
Red petals help define the shape of a flower and differentiate it from surrounding leaves. The color contrast allows hummingbirds to distinguish flower types and target the most productive ones.
Flower Age Indicator
Red generally correlates with younger flowers. As many flowers transition to less intense colors with age, red advertises fresh, unspoiled flowers with ample nectar flow.
Learned Association
Through repeated exposure, hummingbirds learn to associate red with flowering plants and feeding opportunities. This reinforces their attraction through positive reinforcement.
Reason | Description |
---|---|
High Visibility | Red contrasts strongly against green, making flowers obvious |
Energy Advertisement | Redder flowers signal greater nectar rewards |
Shape Distinction | Red petals define flower form and differentiate from leaves |
Flower Age Indicator | Red signifies younger, fresher flowers with ample nectar |
Learned Association | Experience associates red with flowers and feeding opportunities |
Behaviors of Hummingbirds at Red Feeders
People can observe firsthand hummingbirds’ attraction to red by watching them feed from red feeders. Their behaviors further demonstrate their natural inclination towards red:
Frequent Visits
Hummingbirds make repeated, frequent trips to vivid red feeders. They regularly check and return to red feeders on their foraging routes.
Aggressive Defense
Hummingbirds aggressively defend red feeders, chasing away other birds or insects. They perceive red feeders as high value resources worth protecting.
Territoriality
Dominant males often claim red feeders as protected territory. They perch nearby and drive away other hummingbirds trying to feed.
Cautious Approach
Hummingbirds are highly cautious when first investigating red feeders. They prefer to watch and approach slowly before trying this novel nectar source.
Preference over Natural Flowers
Given a choice between red feeders and natural flowers, hummingbirds disproportionately prefer the red feeders. The color elicits strong feeding motivation.
Behavior | Description |
---|---|
Frequent Visits | Regularly check and return to red feeders |
Aggressive Defense | Chase away other birds and insects from red feeders |
Territoriality | Males claim red feeders and exclude other hummers |
Cautious Approach | Slowly investigate novel red feeders at first |
Preference over Flowers | Pick red feeders over natural flowers |
Other Flower Colors Attractive to Hummingbirds
While red appears most attractive, hummingbirds visit other flower colors too. Secondary preferences include:
Orange
Orange has a warm hue like red. It also contrasts against foliage. Darker oranges are preferred to lighter tints.
Yellow
Yellow is noticeable in green surroundings. Pale yellows attract more hummingbirds than bright lemon shades.
Purple
Vivid purple grabs attention. Dark orchid or magenta shades appeal more than lighter lilacs.
Pink
Softer pinks, especially those with some red tones, draw in hummingbirds. Hot pink is more attractive than pale pink.
Blue
While blues and greens are less attractive to hummingbirds, some deep blue flowers get moderate visits.
White
Crisp white flowers stand out somewhat against green. Plain white attracts fewer visits than blends with other colors.
Color | Attractiveness |
---|---|
Orange | Darker oranges preferred over light tints |
Yellow | Pale yellows more attractive than bright lemon |
Purple | Vivid orchid and magenta shades appeal most |
Pink | Hot pink more attractive than pale |
Blue | Some deep blues attract moderate interest |
White | Less appealing than blends with other colors |
How to Use Red to Attract Hummingbirds
Gardeners hoping to draw more hummingbirds can utilize red in the following ways:
Red Feeders
Put up red hummingbird feeders with nectar. Vivid, scarlet feeders work best. Place near bushes or trees to provide cover.
Red Flowers
Add more red flowering plants in gardens. Target tubular flowers with ample nectar production.
Flower Shapes
Choose red flowers with curved tubes suited for hummingbird beaks like trumpet vine or fuchsia.
Flower Locations
Plant red flowers in centralized spots where hummingbirds can easily notice them. Group together for greater impact.
Flower Heights
Position red flowers at different heights to attract hummingbirds at all flight levels.
Color Combinations
Blend red flowers with orange and yellow which also appeal to hummingbirds.
Avoiding Overuse
While using red to initially catch attention, include other flower colors too so the area doesn’t appear skewed.
Mimicking Tubular Flowers
Consider adding red ribbon flowers which mimic the tubular shape that attracts hummingbirds.
Strategy | Description |
---|---|
Red Feeders | Use vivid scarlet hummingbird feeders with nectar |
Red Flowers | Plant more red tubular flowers with ample nectar |
Flower Shapes | Select red flowers with curved tubes suited to beaks |
Flower Locations | Group red flowers centrally where easily noticed |
Flower Heights | Position red flowers at different heights |
Color Combinations | Blend with secondary colors like orange and yellow |
Avoiding Overuse | Include other colors to prevent skewing too red |
Mimicking Flowers | Add red ribbon flowers that mimic tubular shapes |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the commonly held belief that hummingbirds are attracted to red is true. Their excellent color vision allows hummingbirds to target red flowers as cues for finding high-energy nectar meals. Studies consistently show hummingbirds have an innate preference for red feeders and flowers over other colors. Using red in gardens, whether through feeders, flower selections, or strategic planting, can help draw more hummingbirds by getting their visual attention. However, it is important to note that while red is highly attractive to hummingbirds, incorporating other colors creates a more balanced and welcoming habitat. Consider red an eye-catching tool for initially engaging hummingbirds, but not the only color that appeals to these dynamic, vibrant birds. With some red used thoughtfully alongside other colors, gardens can become a nourishing, beautiful oasis for hummingbirds.