Discover 5 Colors That Hummingbirds Are Attracted To

Hummingbirds are small birds that love eating nectar. Since they have a poor sense of smell, hummingbirds rely on their eyes to find flowers that contain this sweet substance. If you see hummingbirds in a garden or open woodlands, tubular flowers with bright, warm colors are more likely to draw their attention. In this article, we will highlight five colors to which hummingbirds are attracted, giving insight into which flowers they prefer when gathering nectar.

Hummingbird’s Color Vision

Like most birds, hummingbirds have peripheral vision that helps them search for nectar-rich flowers when flying at high speeds. While humans have three retinal cones that let them see blue, green, and red light, hummingbirds have a fourth retinal cone that lets them detect ultraviolet light. According to a study done at Princeton University, hummingbirds can see colors that humans cannot, including at least five non-spectral colors. In comparison, the only non-spectral color that humans can see is purple.

1. Red

One of the most well-known colors that hummingbirds are attracted to is red. Hummingbirds associate red with nectar-rich flowers that contain the highest sugar content. According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, hummingbirds prefer sugary nectar that isn’t too sticky to draw from flowers. Some red flowers that attract hummingbirds include scarlet bee balm, red buckeye, and scarlet sage.

2. Orange

Since hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light, orange flowers appear more colorful. Like red flowers, several orange flowers are a rich source of nectar. Orange attracts hummingbirds to certain flowers because it’s the closest to red on the color spectrum. Some orange flowers that attract hummingbirds include nasturtiums, trumpet hearts, and daylilies.

3. Pink

Pink is another color that hummingbirds enjoy getting nectar from. Pink flowers are easy for hummingbirds to spot from a distance because of their brightness. Hummingbirds have excellent memories and can remember the locations of many nectar-rich annuals and perennials when migrating and how long those flowers take to replenish nectar. Mandevilla, azaleas, and zinnias are common pink flowers you can plant to attract hummingbirds.

4. Yellow

Like other warm colors that hummingbirds are attracted to, yellow flowers are highly visible to hummingbirds. Competition for nectar between bees and other pollinating insects is why hummingbirds prefer looking for nectar from red flowers over yellow ones. Yellow flowers that attract hummingbirds include seep monkeyflowers and canary creeper vines.

5. Purple

Although purple appears more muted to hummingbirds’ eyes than red or orange flowers, some hummingbirds will drink nectar from purple flowers if they deem the flowers a reliable nectar source. Purple flowers that attract hummingbirds include foxgloves and morning glories.

Summary of the 5 Colors That Hummingbirds Are Attracted To