Seeing Red Over Dye

Using red dye is certainly not necessary to attract hummingbirds to a feeder. With a good bit of scientific evidence pointing to possible ill effects, it makes sense not to use it!

Photo (C) 2009 Rick Brumble

For years, red food coloring was a common additive to hummingbird nectar.  A common dye, FD&C Red No. 40, is a coal-tar dye used for food coloring.  Human studies have shown that even small doses of this dye can cause DNA damage, reduced reproductive success, reduced infant weight, and behavioral abnormalities.  Some work has been done on mice, with negative effects reported.  This dye has been banned in a number of European countries due to concerns over its safety.

Hummingbirds will readily drink a clear sugar-water “nectar” of 1 cup water to 1/4 cup table sugar.  If the color of your hummingbird feeder is in the red, blue or purple family, then it is already attractive to these birds!  But almost any color of feeder will do, once they’ve learned that you’re offering a consistent supply of fresh nectar there.  Since there’s no need to add red dye to attract hummers, why not avoid the controversy and simply not use it?