Research shows that despite the commonly held idea that hummingbirds love red, that is not the case.
Hummingbirds are consistently looking for nectar, but the color of the flowers is not what attracts them. Hummingbirds do, however, return to the same location where a food source has previously been accessible to them. If you move the feeder, even a few feet, they will fly off once they see it is not in the original spot.
Since they have long bills, they prefer perennial blooms that have long tapered shapes like salvia, nicotiana, honeysuckle, fuchsia, hyssop, and lobelia. Other flowers, even those that grow in shade, such as bleeding heart and hosta, also attract hummers. Annuals too, such as lantana, snapdragons, petunias, million bells, coral bells, and nasturtiums are favored.
As well as drinking nectar from flowers, they love sugar water for energy. Stick with the real white sugar, when making sugar water for them, but skip the red coloring and honey, as some experts suggest that it may be harmful to them. Make sure to change the water every few days if the birds do not drink it all at first. Rinse the feeders with vinegar every time you change the food. Put a couple of teaspoons of parakeet gravel in the feeder with warm water and swirl and rinse to get rid of mold. A feeder with a wide opening is easier to clean.
This is Moya Andrews, and today we focused on no red needed.
