The One Thing You Need to Eliminate From a Hummingbird’s Diet

I was making homemade hummingbird nectar in my kitchen one morning and wondered if I should add red dye to the mixture and mimic what I see in store-bought commercial nectar.
I know for humans to ingest anything artificial is problematic and can cause health concern, therefore I started to have second thoughts.

As a person who loves hummingbirds I want to be confident that their health, safety, and longevity are preserved. I did some research and will share my findings on a variety of responses to this controversial question.

Is commercial red food dye harmful for hummingbirds to consume?

There is no definitive research proving that commercial red food dye harms hummingbirds, however the general consensus is to avoid it based on the principle of minimizing unnecessary risks and the potential for harmful chemical exposure over time.

Commercial red food dye, often found in hummingbird nectar mixes, is mostly considered safe for birds in small amounts.
However, there are general concerns about potential long-term effects of artificial food coloring, such as the red dye #40 (also known as Allura Red AC), on wildlife.

Studies on artificial food colorants, particularly those used in food and beverages for humans (such as Red #40), have raised alarm about linked common side affects and potential health issues, including metabolic problems, hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and other adverse effects.

Research show animals, mainly rodents, were tested who consumed red dye lost weight, had problems with reproduction and had a poorer survival rate, though it is not clear whether these effects would translate directly to hummingbirds.

Long-term consumption and exposure to artificial chemicals, especially in the quantities of regular nectar consumption could potentially have cumulative effects and unforeseen health issues in hummingbirds.
One example is a concern where red dye passes through the kidneys and does not metabolize correctly.

While there is no extensive, conclusive research specifically showing that red food dye directly harms hummingbirds, there is still uncertainty based on the broader understanding of unnatural food colorants and their potential effects on animals.

Many wildlife experts and bird organizations recommend avoiding commercial red dye as a precautionary measure.

These experts suggest the easiest, safest, and most affordable way to make homemade hummingbird nectar is using plain sugar water (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) that does not contain added red dyes. The nutritional value in sugar water is greater than artificial commercial nectar.

See my article:
Forget Commercial Hummingbird Food Try Making Homemade Nectar

Commercial Red Hummingbird Nectar

Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, therefore it is used in commercial nectar.
Red food dye has no nutritional value for hummingbirds.

Artificial red food dye is a by-product of refined crude oil or coal.
Crude oil is a natural type of fossil fuel that is refined to produce gasoline, diesel fuel, pavement, and tar.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is in charge of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) who defines a color additive or a food dye as any substance that conveys color to food, drug, cosmetic or to the human body.

Color additives are considered safe with FDA regulations.
However, they do not approve individual food labels but requires nutritional information to be provided.
The FDA stamp means they believe that the benefits of the product outweigh any risks.

The most common artificial dye used and consumed in commercial hummingbird nectar is red food dye (FD&C #40).

The 5 most common ingredients found in commercial hummingbird nectar are:

• Water
• Sucrose (granulated white sugar)
• FD&C #40 (Red food coloring)
• Citric acid (a food preservative)
• Sodium benzoate (a food preservative)

Commercial hummingbird nectars are also made with preservatives allowing for a longer shelf life. Citric acid, Potassium sorbate, and Sodium benzoate are all common food preservatives in red commercial hummingbird nectar.

Many people want to provide their hummingbirds a place of sanctuary where they can limit harmful elements and protect their backyard companions.
Removing red food dye from a hummingbird’s diet is a good place to start.

Whatever negative side effects or health concerns that can happen to humans just imagine the kind of damage it could bring to smaller birds with less body mass?
In my opinion, it is not worth taking that chance and exposing these elements to hummingbirds.

Commercial Hummingbird Nectar:
No Artificial Red Dye

Commercial hummingbird nectar made with natural red food dye is produced from insects or flowers.
The top two ingredients used commercially for natural red food dye in hummingbird nectar is carmine and hibiscus.

Carmine, carminic acid or cochineal extract are all keywords to describe natural red dye found on nutritional labels. These ingredients are safe to consume and are derived from bugs.

These natural red dyes are seen as a safer option than synthetic food coloring, but in most cases are still unnecessary.
Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to red and bright colors without the need for added colorants.

Natural red hummingbird nectar purchased at the store has similar ingredients to commercial hummingbird nectar except the natural red nectar uses carmine, annatto or hibiscus as a color additive instead of artificial red dye #40.

The 5 most common ingredients found in no artificial red dye hummingbird nectar are:

• Water
• Sucrose (granulated white sugar)
• Carmine (natural Red food coloring)
• Annatto (natural Red food coloring)
• Hibiscus (natural Red food coloring)

Carmine (E120) is derived from grinding and crushing the bodies of cochineal insects to make the natural color red. It is a tropical insect that forages on plant moisture from cacti.

These insects are killed by boiling, drying and then grounding them into a powder. They are cooked at a high temperature to remove the maximum amount of red color.

Between the insect’s bodies and eggs, it is the eggs that can produce and extract the most coloring.
It takes 80,000 to 100,000 insects to make one kilogram of cochineal dye.

Annatto (E160b) is an orange-red seed coming from the achiote tree which is native to tropical regions of the Americas, including Central and South America.

Hibiscus extract, is another natural red food coloring that is more specifically marketed for use in hummingbird nectar products.

Three most common products using natural red dye in hummingbird nectar are:

• Songbird Essentials – Hummingbird Nectar
• Audubon Park – Hummingbird Food Nectar Powder
• Homestead – Hummingbird Nectar

These brands carry no artificial red dyes or preservatives.
All three products use sucrose as the number one ingredient.

Hummingbird Essentials uses carmine and hibiscus as their color additive.
Audubon Park uses cochineal extract, carmine, and annatto.
Homestead uses carmine.

There are a variety of products available containing different combinations of natural red coloring that comes in a liquid concentrate and/or powdered form.

Commercial Nectars with Enriched Vitamins, Minerals, and Calcium

Vitamins, minerals, and calcium enhancements added to commercial nectar stems from the idea that they are meant to strengthen and protect hummingbird eggs.

Natural and artificial red hummingbird nectar products that are enriched with these added supplements are not necessary for the health of hummingbirds.

In the wild, hummingbirds get all the nutrients they need from the natural nectar in flowers, which provides them with energy and from insects (such as bugs and small spiders) that supply essential proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Calcium is crucial for hummingbirds, particularly for their bone health and egg strength. However, they get most of their calcium intake from the small insects and spiders they eat, not from nectar.

Excessive calcium can sometimes cause health problems in birds. It is more important to provide calcium through natural food sources like insects.

The homemade nectar (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) closely mimics the composition of natural nectar, providing the energy they need without the addition of extra nutrients.

Final Thoughts

Using artificial red dye, such as FD&C #40, in homemade nectar is unnecessary. A red feeder alone is enough to safely attract hummingbirds. By eliminating both synthetic and natural red dyes, you reduce potential health risks, ensuring their well-being, successful offspring, and longevity.

Happy Hummingbird Watching!