Top 5 Reasons to NOT Use Red Hummingbird Nectar

The question never goes away: "Shouldn't hummingbird nectar be red?"  The answer is an unequivocal "NO!"  Here's my Top 5 reasons why.

Reason #1:  It serves NO purpose

The great majority of hummingbird feeders on the market, and certainly the hummingbird feeders at our Wild Birds Unlimited shop, have enough color on them (red or otherwise) to attract hummingbirds without the need for red dye in the nectar.

Reason #2:  The dye is petroleum based

The dye in colored nectars is red dye #40, named Allura Red AC.  Red dye #40 was originally made from coal tar, but it is now made mostly from petroleum.  Read that last sentence again, please.  I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound good for ingestion by me or by hummingbirds.  In Europe, red dye #40 is not recommended for consumption by children. (Source: www.3dchem.com)

Admittedly, there is no scientific proof that red dye #40 definitely harms hummingbirds but knowing its source, why chance it, especially if it has no benefits to the hummingbirds and will not attract hummingbirds any more than clear nectar does.

Reason #3:  Nectar from flowers is clear - not red

Nectar made with water and simple table sugar at a 4-to-1 ratio most closely approximates the naturally clear nectar found in flowers.

Reason #4:  The red dye passes though the hummingbird

The Hilton Pond Center website has an image showing red dye #40 stains on a hummingbird at the site of excretion.  And the dye also stains their excretions red.  Naturalist and author Julie Zickefoose made this interesting observation while rehabbing a female hummingbird.  The bird had been fed red nectar before entering her care, and she was shocked by the red droppings that the hummingbird continued to excrete for over a day after the red nectar was stopped.  You can see pictures of the red-stained droppings and read Julie's blog post, but a more complete account is in the May/June 2010 issue of BirdWatcher's Digest.

These indicators mean the red dye is "not metabolized, but passes through the kidneys, where it might cause problems."  (Source: Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History)

Reason #5:  You can make clear nectar more simply

No more trips to the store to buy nectar.  Make it at home.  A simple 4-to-1 water to table sugar solution will attract and feed all the hummingbirds you can handle!

I have a request of you.  If this material has convinced you to discontinue the use of red nectar, or if you've already sworn off it:

1. Let me know, but more importantly,
   
2. Spread the word to family, friends, enemies, whoever you know that uses red nectar in their hummingbird feeders.  Forward the link.  Share the post link on your website or blog.  Print a copy of the post.  Just do what you can to stop the use of red nectar in hummingbird feeders.  Do it for the birds!

Comments

[Rita]

I never use red nectar. Always make my own...love my hummers.

[Taylor]

Thank you for this amazing article! I have never fed the hummingbirds before- but just bought a feeder- I am so happy I found this information! Does the sugar water solution need to be warm to dissolve the sugar correctly for use?

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Carolyn, sun or shade for hummingbird feeders but be aware that those in the sun will need to be cleaned and nectar changed more often (every 2-3 days vs. every 4-5 days.) Thanks for swearing off red nectar too!

[carolyn suslovich carieme04]

I'm taking the pledge. Thanks.
I was suspicious of the red dye and used only sugar water while living in northern n.m. I had probably fifty to seventy numbers every evening vying for spots on my feeders.
Here is another question. Should the feeders have lots off sunlight or does it not matter?

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Shane, I stick with what the scientists at Cornell Lab of Ornithology recommend: plain sugar and water. The hummingbirds don't need additives! These additives, I believe are a marketing gimmick. We refuse to sell them.

[Shane Harris]

What about this product ?
Its made by songbirdessentials.com and its humming bird nectar, all natural and no dyes.

The owner of a local wild bird store says there is no dyes in it, the red colouring is from crushed hibiscus. Im just wondering because several people posted about it being difficult to gauge the level of nectar in their feeders with clear nectar

The owner also said he believed this product had some sort off crushed insect in it as well ( for protein I guess).

I make my own btw, but I was just curious on your thoughts about products that dont have the dye in them, but use natural colouring.

Thank You Shane

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Richard, I'd say that your container is not 100% clean. Use a glass container to mix/store - easier to get squeaky clean! No need to boil the solution for a period of time - just hot enough to dissolve the sugar.
Thanks for taking care of the birds!

[Richard Schiefer]

I mixed 4 parts. Water. To 1 part. Sugar and i used a 1 gallon plastic. Water container and i am getting black spots in container.. Also i boiled the water and sugar a few minutes . WHAT KIND OF CONTAINER SHOULD I USE...????

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Cathugs, personally, I feed only nectar that has no other ingredients other than water and sugar. I would not personally buy a nectar listing any additional ingredients. They will continue to get their minerals and vitamins from nature.

[Cathugs]

So I agree wth the no red dye but what about the vit D and calcium the bag says hummers need for stronger eggs? If we make our own they don't get these vits?

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Sara, thanks for making the switch for the hummingbirds!

[Sara]

NO MORE RED DYE!!! I LOVE MY LIL HUMMERS AND WOULD NEVER WANT TO CAUSE THEM ANY HARM...THANK U FOR ALL THE INFO...

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Sharon, thanks for sharing your experience with your switch AWAY from red nectar.
Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are known for not sharing well. Other hummingbird species are better at it, as well as ruby-throateds during migration. Where are you located (to know what hummingbirds you might attract)

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Rosie, from what I've read, hummingbirds aren't necessarily attracted to lime green naturally, but if they try it and it contains fresh quality nectar, they'll come back. Tying a red ribbon was a good idea to help attract them to it!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Cherie - hooray!!! Thank you for making the switch for the birds!

[Sharon Popikas]

After three years of trying to attract hummingbirds to my feeder, this year I didn't use the red colored liquid, I made my own with water and sugar. I now have two that come on and off all day long. I had a surprise last night after dark when I looked at the feeder. Both birds were sitting on the feeder. They normally chase each other away. They stayed there for several hours. Is this normal?

[Rosie]

I just bought a new pack of Perky Pet nectar powder. Went to make a batch and it turned red. How disappointing. I won't be using it. I did contact them to see what they use to make the solution turn red. Will be interested to see what they say. Another question. I bought a new feeder this year and its lime green. Do you think it matters when I am trying to attract the hummingbirds (so far not much luck although have one flying around. Hopefully I'm just missing when they hit). I did attach red ribbon to my feeder to see if that helps. Would be interested if you think the green feeder is distracting instead of attracting. Thanks. Peace

[Cherie]

Convinced me....I will make my own!

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Diane, thank you so much for (1) taking the time to read that label; (2) checking here for more information; and (3) your very kind words. Your comment made my day!!!! Thank you!

[Diane Kuhring, Belleview, FL]

I recently bought a feeder & commercial nectar (out of ignorance) when I saw a hummingbird going after my hanging baskets. But when I turned the bottle over to read how much to dilute it I read the ingredients & was shocked! HF corn syrup & Sodium Benzoate, a preservative & possible carcinogen! I don't consume this stuff myself or my dogs! Thank you Zen Birdfeeder for your HELPFUL advise. BTW the syrup recipe is also backed up by the Smithsonian info website. Peace

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Dave, thanks for your "no red nectar" pledge! And I know what you mean about the eyes; I've been seen leaning in close to check the nectar level in my feeders. Thanks for reading and commenting!

[Dave In Colorado]

The only reason I thought about using red dye was for me, not the hummers.
These old eyes are not what they were.
It is easier to see at what level the nectar is.
I have never used it in 25 years and, after reading this, never will.

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Lori, yes, but if 4 cups is too much, you can make smaller quantities. Check out our website to see how to make 1-cup, 2-cup, 3-cup, and 4-cup quantities http://saratogasprings.wbu.com/content/show/22507

[The Zen Birdfeeder]

Thank you Angela and welcome to the hobby! Enjoy!

[Lori]

So.....are we saying it is best to make it with 1 cup sugar to 4 cups of water?