Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures. Their fast heartbeat, fast wings, and ability to hover make them unique among birds. Hummingbirds have captured people’s fascination for centuries. When providing food for hummingbirds, many people use commercial nectars that contain red dyes. This leads to the question: Why is there red dye in hummingbird food? There are several reasons behind this practice.
Attract Hummingbirds
One of the main reasons red dye is added to hummingbird food is to attract the birds. Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to the color red. They have evolved to seek out red flowers, which contain the life-sustaining nectar they need. Red dye makes homemade or commercial hummingbird food more visible and appealing to hummers. The birds spot the red color from far away and associate it with food. So adding red dye is an easy way to catch their attention and bring them to feeders.
Mimic Natural Food Sources
In nature, hummingbirds use visual cues to find nectar-rich flowers. Many native plants relied on by hummingbirds produce red tubular flowers. The red color comes from pigments like anthocyanins in the plant. By adding red dye to homemade nectars, it better mimics the natural look and appeal of the flowers hummingbirds feed from. The red dye helps hummingbird food blend in seamlessly with ornamental flowers in the garden. So the dye makes the nectar more recognizable as a food source for the birds.
Feeding Preferences
Research has shown that when given choices, hummingbirds prefer red-dyed nectars over clear or other colored nectars. The birds don’t just rely on vision when seeking out food sources. They also have a good sense of taste and quickly learn which flowers provide the best nectar meals. When maintaining feeders, using red dye can encourage more repeat visits from hummingbirds that associate the color red with tasty nectar. The red dye in commercial hummingbird food taps into the visual and taste preferences of hummingbirds.
Typical Red Dye Used in Hummingbird Nectar
The most common red dye used in store-bought hummingbird foods and nectars is Red Dye #40 or Allura Red AC. This synthetic food dye provides a bright red color familiar to hummingbirds. While there are some health and environmental concerns around Red Dye #40, it is approved by the FDA for use in food products. Here are some details on the typical red dye found in premixed hummingbird nectars:
Chemical Composition
The chemical name for Red Dye #40 is disodium 6-hydroxy-5-[(2-methoxy-5-methyl-4-sulfophenyl)azo]-2-naphthalenesulfonate. This synthetic azo dye uses petroleum derivatives in its manufacturing.
Uses
Red Dye #40 is a popular choice for coloring food products red. It is found in fruit cocktail, candy, cereal, yogurt, and many other processed foods. Using an approved dye provides a consistent, standardized red color in hummingbird nectars.
Benefits
This red dye is water-soluble and heat stable. It retains its crimson color even when heated during manufacturing. The dye dissolves easily in nectar mixtures. Red Dye #40 is affordable and readily available for mass production needs. It provides the eye-catching red hue that attracts hummingbirds to nectar feeders.
Safety Concerns
Potential health risks of Red Dye #40 are controversial. While the FDA has approved it, some studies link it to cancer and hormonal effects. Due to these concerns, many European nations have banned the use of Red Dye #40. However, the FDA believes there is not enough evidence to ban it in the United States. The dye must be listed by name on ingredient labels.
Alternatives to Red Dye in Hummingbird Food
For those wishing to avoid synthetic red dyes, there are natural alternatives to use in homemade hummingbird nectar recipes:
Pureed Fruits and Vegetables
Naturally red fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and cherries can be pureed and strained to produce a red-hued liquid. Beets and red bell peppers can also be used. These provide anthocyanin pigments instead of artificial dyes.
Flower Petals
Soaking red flower petals in water can extract a natural red dye. Petals from flowers like cardinal flowers, red roses, geraniums, and hibiscus work well. Straining removes solids, leaving colored water.
Liquid Food Coloring
Look for liquid food coloring made from fruit, vegetable, and plant pigments if you want to avoid Red Dye #40. These provide an all-natural approach to dyeing nectar red.
Clear Nectar
It is possible to offer nectar without any dye added. Some hummingbird enthusiasts prefer not to use dyes at all. While the nectar may not be as visually appealing, the birds will still drink clear nectar, especially once they find the food source.
| Nectar Type | How It’s Made | Benefits | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dye #40 | Synthetic petroleum-derived dye | – Vibrant red color – Consistent hue |
– Safety concerns – Not natural |
| Fruit and Vegetable Purees | Pureeing red fruits/veggies and straining solids | – All natural – Real fruit nutrition |
– Can spoil faster – Colors may fade |
| Flower Petals | Soaking red flower petals in water | – Natural dye – Antioxidants from flowers |
– Diluted color – Labor intensive |
| Clear Nectar | No dye added | – No health concerns – Simple |
– Less visually appealing – Harder for birds to spot |
Impact of Red Dye on Hummingbird Health
There is little scientific evidence that the small amount of food dye in nectar negatively impacts hummingbird health. Here is a look at some of the factors around dye safety:
Only a Tiny Amount Consumed
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from insects, not nectar. They consume relatively miniscule amounts of nectar dye compared to human intake. Their lightweight bodies and fast metabolism also limit dye exposure.
No Apparent Harm to Hummers
In over 30 years of feeding hummingbirds and observing them in the wild, scientists have found no ill effects that can be directly linked to synthetic dye consumption. Hummers have healthy reproduction and normal lifespans whether exposed to dyed nectar or not.
Studies on Other Birds
Poultry studies using much higher doses of Red Dye #40 showed no negative impacts even over extended periods. Chickens and turkeys grew normally and maintained good health despite high dye intake in water.
Lack of Alternatives
Hummingbirds feeding on flower nectar are also exposed to natural pigments. There is no realistic way to provide completely dye-free diets for wild populations. Given lack of evidence of harm, removing red dye from feeders may do more risk than good.
Precautionary Principle
However, the precautionary principle states we should avoid any possibly harmful substances, even without definitive proof of danger. So using natural dyes may be a safer approach despite lack of toxicity data.
Conclusion
In summary, while synthetic red dyes attract hummingbirds and tap into their feeding preferences, natural alternatives exist. There is still debate on health impacts of small amounts of dyes. Given the joy of watching hummingbirds buzz around red feeders, most people accept the tiny amount of dye exposure as a reasonable trade-off. But those concerned about additives can use natural options to color their homemade nectars. The vibrant red on hummingbird feeders will likely continue as it draws in these energetic, fluttering birds that people love to watch.
