Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that have captivated people for ages with their beauty, speed, and intriguing behaviors. Their tiny size and high metabolisms require that they eat frequently to survive, consuming approximately half their weight in nectar each day. To attract these hungry hummers, many people supplement natural nectar sources in their yards with homemade “nectar” made by mixing sugar with water. Often, red food coloring is added to homemade nectar to make it more visually appealing to hummingbirds. But is this red dye safe for hummingbirds to consume? There has been some debate over this question. Here we will explore the potential pros and cons of adding red food coloring to hummingbird nectar.
What Do Hummingbirds Eat in the Wild?
In their natural habitat, hummingbirds get nearly all of their nutrition from plant nectar and the occasional small insect or spider. The nectar they consume comes primarily from tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow—colors that are naturally attractive to hummingbirds. This nectar is essentially a mix of sugar (sucrose, glucose and fructose) and water, along with some trace nutrients. The sugar concentration varies by flower species, but tends to average around 15-25%. There are no artificial colorings or flavors in natural nectar.
Why Do People Add Red Food Coloring?
When people make homemade “nectar” to feed hummingbirds, they often add red food coloring for two main reasons:
1. To make the nectar look more appealing
Since hummingbirds feed from red tubular flowers in the wild, the theory is that making nectar red will attract more hummers. The flash of color catches their eye and helps them spot the feeding location.
2. To mimic the red flowers hummingbirds prefer
Hummingbirds do have a natural preference for red-colored nectar sources. Adding red food dye is intended to replicate the natural flower colors that hummers are instinctively attracted to.
So the intention behind coloring hummingbird nectar is to make it more closely resemble real flower nectar, in order to attract more hummingbirds and entice them to feed.
Potential Pros of Using Red Food Coloring
There are a couple potential benefits that supporters cite for adding red food dye to homemade hummingbird nectar:
May attract more hummingbirds
As mentioned above, the red color is thought to grab hummingbirds’ attention and interest them in feeding from the nectar source. Especially for people who live in areas without an abundance of red tubular flowers, adding color to the nectar may help draw in more hummers.
Provides added vitamins
Some commercial red food colorings designed for hummingbird nectar contain added vitamins, such as vitamin C and B-complex vitamins. These vitamins can provide nutritional benefits for hummingbirds beyond just the sugar content.
So advocates argue that an eye-catching red color plus extra vitamins make colored nectar an ideal feeding solution for hummers.
Potential Cons of Red Food Coloring
However, there are also some potential downsides of adding red food dye to homemade hummingbird nectar:
May contain unhealthy additives
Generic grocery store food colorings are not designed specifically for hummingbird consumption and may contain additives that are unhealthy for hummers. Coal tar-based red dyes in particular have raised some health concerns. There are red plant-based dyes made specially for hummingbirds that are likely safer.
Risk of over-coloring the nectar
It’s easy to accidentally make dyed nectar that is darker than natural flower nectar. Excessively colored nectar may put unnatural stresses on hummingbirds’ kidneys to filter out the dyes. Moderation with food coloring is advised.
May attract other species
The bright colors used to attract hummingbirds may inadvertently attract other species such as ants, bees, and wasps. These visitors can crowd out the hummingbirds and make feeding more difficult for them.
Not proven more effective than plain nectar
While colored nectar is widely believed to attract more hummers, there is little scientific evidence demonstrating that it is significantly more effective than plain white sugar water. The red dye alone may not be enough to consistently lure in more hummingbirds.
Extra vitamins degrade over time
In commercial premixed nectars with added vitamins, the nutrient content can break down with exposure to light, air, and higher temperatures. This reduces the intended health benefits for hummingbirds over time.
So there are pros and cons to consider before coloring homemade nectar. Moderation of dye use and proper storage of premixed nectar are advised.
Studies on Effects of Food Coloring on Hummingbirds
There has not been extensive scientific research done to directly study the impacts of food coloring consumption on hummingbird health and behavior. But a few small studies provide some insight:
Brower Study (1981)
One early field study by Lincoln Brower found that hummingbirds showed no preference between red-dyed nectar and clear nectar when presented with choices. However, Brower did observe dyeing the birds’ feathers and some colon discoloration from the dyed nectar, indicating the birds did ingest some of the dye. He advised using only minimal amounts of dye.
York Study (1991)
A later laboratory study by Howard York fed one group of captive hummingbirds red-colored nectar and another group plain nectar for a year. He found no significant differences in weight or mortality between the two groups. Some dyed droppings were observed but no major health effects.
Saxton Study (2016)
A more recent University of Connecticut study by Kristi Saxton found that wild hummingbirds did show a slight preference for red-dyed nectar over clear, and the dyed nectar did not deter them from feeding. But she noted the potential for as-yet-unknown health impacts from artificial dyes.
| Study | Methods | Findings |
|---|---|---|
| Brower (1981) | Field study giving hummingbirds choice between dyed and plain nectar | No preference shown between types; some dye observed in feathers and droppings |
| York (1991) | 1-year lab study feeding 2 groups of hummingbirds dyed vs plain nectar | No major health differences observed between groups |
| Saxton (2016) | Field study tracking wild hummingbirds’ use of dyed nectar | Slight preference for colored; potential unknown health risks |
While these studies did not demonstrate any major adverse effects, they leave some questions unanswered about dye consumption over longer periods in the wild. More extensive field research is still needed.
Potential Health Risks of Food Dyes for Hummingbirds
Very little research has directly examined how commonly used red food dyes may impact hummingbird health. But some potential risks can be inferred from existing knowledge:
Kidney stress
Hummingbirds’ tiny kidneys work hard to quickly filter large amounts of fluids. Added food dyes may place extra strain and burdens on their kidneys over time.
DNA damage
One rat study linked common red dye Red 40 to DNA damage at higher dosages. More research is needed, but this raises concerns about possible genotoxicity in hummingbirds.
Cancer risk
The same rat study linked Red 40 to potential increased cancer risk. No hummingbird studies have explored this, but it merits caution.
Effects on birds’ feathers
Field observations have noted red dye visibly coating hummingbirds’ feathers around their faces and heads after feeding. The long-term effects of this are unknown.
Behavioral changes
colored nectar could hypothetically have subtle effects on hummingbird behaviors like feeding, mating, and migration, but this has not been studied.
So while major health risks are unproven, the possibility exists of impacts from long-term dye exposure. Again, moderation is advised.
Best Practices for Red Food Coloring with Hummingbirds
Given the unresolved questions around food dye safety for hummingbirds, here are some recommended best practices:
Avoid excessive use
Use only minimal amounts of dye to lightly tint the nectar. Avoid making it excessively dark red. Moderation is best.
Choose plant-based dyes
Dyes derived from vegetable and fruit juices are likely safer than synthetic coloring agents. Look for plant-based options sold specifically for hummingbird use.
Provide plain nectar too
Offer colored nectar in some feeders, but also make plain sugar water without dyes available in other feeders. This allows hummingbirds options.
Keep dyed nectar fresh
Replace colored nectar every 2-3 days to limit microbial growth and preserve any added vitamins. Keep feeders clean.
Avoid adding red dye to insect feeders
Feeders offering mealworms, ants, or other insects as protein sources should not have food coloring added. Provide insects naturally.
Use red feeders instead of dye
Rather than dyeing the nectar, use red-colored feeders. The hummingbirds will associate red feeders with nectar without ingesting dye.
Following these precautions allows enjoying colored nectar’s beauty while minimizing any potential health risks to hummingbirds. With safety and moderation in mind, red dye can judiciously add to the hummingbird feeding experience.
Conclusion
Research is still limited, but the available evidence suggests hummingbirds are likely not seriously harmed by occasional consumption of modest amounts of red food coloring diluted in nectar. However, the long-term impacts of daily exposure to artificial dyes for months or years are still not well understood. While outright toxicity seems uncommon, some health risks for hummingbirds cannot be ruled out.
Until more thorough scientific studies are conducted on dye consumption in the wild, it is prudent to take precautions. Use minimal dye, offer plain nectar choices, use plant-based colors, and change nectar frequently. With careful moderate use and proper feeding techniques, red food dye can be part of creating an attractive feeding environment to bring colorful hummingbirds to your garden. But plain sugar-water solutions are also perfectly sufficient if you wish to avoid dyes entirely. In the end, what matters most is providing the sustenance hummingbirds need in whichever way you feel most comfortable.
