Common hummingbird-feeding advice is to plant red flowers or hang red sugar water feeders. Does it work? Here's what you should know.
If you’re interested in planting flowers for hummingbirds, you’ve probably heard a piece of prevalent advice: plant red flowers. Hummingbirds, the common thinking goes, are specifically drawn to the color red — so much so, in fact, that a red, nectar-rich flower is to hummingbirds what a delicious slice of pizza is to many humans. That said, is it true? Are hummingbirds attracted to the color red? Here’s what to know about hummingbirds’ color preferences, and which colors of plants and feeders you should add to your yard.
Do Hummingbirds Prefer Red Colored Flowers?
As it turns out, there’s some truth behind this statement. According to the National Audubon Society, hummingbirds are, indeed, propelled toward red — although there are some caveats. As they note, scientists have “modified” hummingbirds’ flower-color preferences in experiments by offering the birds nectar-rich blooms that weren’t red. In those instances the hummingbirds preferred the flowers that boasted the most nectar, even if they weren’t red.
Research studies have looked into how the birds use their color vision, revealing that hummingbird eyes can see more colors than humans. With that in mind, it seems hummingbirds will choose flowers that give them the most energy. It’s possible that they’ve learned red flowers typically offer plenty of nectar, so the birds look for them in gardens. Other theories posit that hummingbirds visit red flowers as a means of avoiding bees. Whatever the reason, as scientists have demonstrated, hummingbirds won’t only visit red blooms.
Should You Use a Red Hummingbird Feeder?
When it comes to hummingbird feeders, it’s best to stick with red, when possible, or at least a feeder with a red base or feeding ports. Red feeders are readily available at bird feeding stores and online. If you dislike the color red, consider orange as a second choice. Hummingbirds will often stop by sugar water feeders intended for Baltimore orioles, and those feeders are typically orange.
Regardless which feeder you choose, never add red dye to the hummingbird mixture, and make sure to keep the feeder clean.
Which Other Colors Do Hummingbirds Like?
Aside from red, hummingbirds also frequently visit orange, yellow, pink and purple blooms. They usually don’t visit gray, white, black, or dark blue. (One notable exception to this is nectar-rich blue salvia, which hummingbirds love.)
Science hasn’t figured out why hummingbirds prefer some colors over others. It’s likely that, over time, they’ve figured out which colors typically mean “food” and which don’t, and they’ll only expend valuable energy on the flowers likely to offer them nourishment.
Hummingbirds can learn to visit certain flowers in their non-preferred color range, though, if those flowers have abundant nectar.
