Top 5 Hummingbird Myths Explained (And Why They’re Wrong)

Tiny, vibrant, and incredibly fast—hummingbirds are some of nature’s most fascinating creatures. Yet, countless myths surround these remarkable birds, from their migration habits to how they eat. Many of these misconceptions not only misrepresent their behaviors but could influence how we support them in our backyards. In this post, we’ll set the record straight on the top myths about hummingbirds, giving you a clearer understanding of these aerial acrobats. Let’s separate fact from fiction to help you better appreciate the truth about these unique birds.

Myth 1: Hummingbirds Only Feed on Nectar

Hummingbirds are often pictured hovering near bright flowers, sipping sweet nectar. While nectar is a key part of their diet, it’s far from their only food source. These tiny birds have diverse, protein-packed diets essential for their energy-burning lifestyles. Let’s take a closer look at what fuels these spectacular creatures.

Insects and Spiders

Hummingbirds rely heavily on insects and spiders for protein, fat, and other vital nutrients. Did you know that up to 80% of their diet may consist of these tiny critters during breeding season? Insects give hummingbirds the necessary energy to maintain their rapid metabolism and support muscle development. Without them, their bodies wouldn’t function as effectively.

Some of their favorite insect snacks include:

• Gnats and flies: Perfect for a quick grab in-flight.
• Mosquitoes and aphids: Commonly plucked from leaves or midair.
• Spiders: Not only a handy food source but also a toolkit. Hummingbirds often pick at spiderwebs for both a meal and nest-building material.

Consider how often they’re zipping through your garden. They’re likely hunting for insects just as much as they’re enjoying nectar. You can support them by providing native plants to attract bugs or by avoiding pesticide use. Learn more about how insects are key to a hummingbird’s diet here.

Additional Food Sources

Beyond insects and nectar, hummingbirds eat other sugary and nutrient-packed treats. Their adaptability allows them to survive in varied environments where flower nectar may not always be available.

• Tree Sap: Hummingbirds frequently seek sap from tree wounds or from wells created by woodpeckers. Sap is an excellent alternative when nectar sources are scarce. Check out more about this behavior here.
• Fruit Juice: If given the chance, they’ll sip juices from ripe or peeled fruits like oranges, apples, or pears. This provides sugars similar to what they get from flowers.
• Pollen (rarely consumed): A small amount may stick to their beaks and even provide a tiny nutritional boost.

Each of these sources complements their diet, ensuring they meet their caloric and nutritional needs no matter the season. Whether feasting on sap from a sugar maple or sipping juice from a fruit slice, hummingbirds truly embody versatility. Learn more about their adventurous eating habits here.

By broadening our understanding of their diet, we can appreciate and support these incredible birds better. They’re not just nectar-loving beauties but skilled insect hunters and adaptable foragers!

Myth 2: Hummingbirds Are Drawn Only to Red Flowers

A common misconception about hummingbirds is that they’re exclusively attracted to red flowers. While red is undoubtedly eye-catching, it’s not the sole color that appeals to these feathered flyers. Focusing too heavily on flower color oversimplifies the complex feeding behavior of hummingbirds.

Color Preferences

Hummingbirds do not have a strict bias for red—they can see and are drawn to a wide range of colors. These birds possess an exceptional vision, allowing them to perceive colors ultraviolet light enhances, which humans cannot. This means they can differentiate subtle shades and may even gravitate towards flowers in unusual hues.

In scientific studies like those documented here, researchers observed that hummingbirds were willing to explore blue, yellow, or even green flowers if the nectar proved rewarding. Another study showcased in the Princeton findings revealed that wild hummingbirds could identify as many as five distinct nonspectral color combinations beyond traditional human perception.

However, red has a practical advantage—it stands out against green foliage more prominently than other colors, making it easier for hummingbirds to locate in dense environments. Their evolutionary association of red with reliable nectar sources has contributed to this misconception. But, rest assured, their dining palette extends well beyond the rosy spectrum.

Photo by Janice Carriger

Nectar Quality Over Color

While flower color might grab their attention, it’s the nectar quality that seals the deal. Hummingbirds are energy-driven creatures, and the sugar concentration in nectar plays a central role in their feeding choice. Studies, such as those discussed by Audubon, confirm that hummingbirds prioritize nectar quantity and concentration over floral aesthetics.

High-energy nectar—typically with a sugar concentration of 20%-30%—provides the fuel needed for their rapid metabolism and aerodynamic flights. This explains why you’ll find hummingbirds equally attracted to feeders filled with clear, homemade sugar-water solutions as to brightly colored flowers. The lack of red coloring in nectar doesn’t deter them as long as it fulfills their caloric needs.

Red flowers may hold a long-standing association with hummingbirds, but the truth is that these birds are opportunistic feeders. Take the time to plant a variety of native, nectar-rich blooms and you’ll quickly notice their diverse tastes. Reliable nectar sources matter far more than a flower’s outward appeal.

Myth 3: Hummingbird Feeders Must Have Red Dye

Many people believe that adding red dye to hummingbird feeder nectar is essential for attracting these tiny birds. However, this myth persists despite evidence showing that not only is the red dye unnecessary, but it may also harm the birds we aim to help.

Natural Attraction to Red

Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to the color red, but that doesn’t mean the nectar itself needs to be dyed. Most feeders on the market already feature red parts, such as flower-shaped feeding ports or accents, which are enough to catch a bird’s attention. This natural attraction is an evolutionary response, as red often signals abundant nectar in flowers.

Adding red dye to the nectar doesn’t enhance this attraction. Hummingbirds rely on their keen vision to locate food sources, and they’re perfectly able to recognize feeders without the artificial coloring. If your feeder lacks red, consider tying a red ribbon or placing it near red flowers for the same effect—without any additives.

Health Risks of Red Dye

While red dye might seem harmless, it poses potential health risks for hummingbirds. The artificial chemicals used in the dye, such as Red Dye #40, have been linked to serious health issues in other species. Though direct harm to hummingbirds hasn’t been conclusively proven, experts remain cautious. This is why organizations like the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and other birding experts advise against using products containing dye.

Here’s why it’s better to skip the dye:

• Digestive Stress: Hummingbirds’ tiny systems are not equipped to process synthetic ingredients.
• Potential Toxicity: Research suggests that dyes can break down into compounds harmful to internal organs like the liver and kidneys.
• Unnecessary Additive: The nutritional value of dyed nectar is identical to that of clear nectar, making the coloring redundant.

By avoiding dyed nectar, you’re ensuring your feeder provides only what hummingbirds need: clean, sugary energy. Stick to a simple homemade formula of four parts water to one part sugar. Not only is it dye-free, but it’s also cheaper and healthier. Learn more about why red dye is unnecessary at this helpful guide.

Caring for hummingbirds means staying informed about what’s truly good for them. By skipping the dye, you protect their health while still enjoying their visits to your yard.

Myth 4: Hummingbirds Migrate Alone

It’s a common belief that hummingbirds are solitary travelers during migration. While it’s true that these tiny birds don’t travel in flocks like geese, the idea they migrate completely alone isn’t entirely accurate either. Observing their migratory behavior and environmental influences reveals a more social and dynamic side of their journey.

Flocking Behavior

Hummingbirds might not form traditional flocks, but they often migrate in loose clusters or along shared paths. These trails, known as migratory corridors, are frequently used by multiple birds traveling the same route. They may gather near abundant food sources like flowering plants or feeders at stopover points, forming temporary groups before resuming their journey.

The reason? Strength in numbers—though indirect. By sticking to these corridors, hummingbirds benefit from shared knowledge of safe resting spots and rich feeding grounds. Imagine it as rush hour on a busy highway—birds aren’t carpooling but are heading in the same direction for mutual benefit.

Additionally, young hummingbirds tend to follow experienced adults, particularly on their first migrations. This behavior increases survival chances by teaching essential migratory cues, such as where to find food and avoid predators.

Want to dive deeper into hummingbird migration strategies? Check out this detailed resource.

Factors Influencing Migration

Several factors shape how and when hummingbirds migrate, affecting routes, timing, and success rates. One major reason for variations in migration patterns is environmental triggers. For example:

• Daylight Changes: The angle and duration of sunlight signal hummingbirds to begin their journey.
• Temperature Drops: Cooling weather prompts the bird’s instinct to move southward in search of warmth.
• Food Availability: A decrease in flowering plants or feeder access can trigger earlier migrations.

Challenges such as extreme weather, predators, and human interference also influence migration. Strong winds can delay flights or force course corrections, while habitat destruction disrupts essential stopover locations. Ensuring your garden has plenty of nectar-rich flowers or feeders can play a small but vital role in their long-term survival. Learn more about aiding these tiny travelers here.

By understanding their social instincts and environmental needs, we gain a clearer view of how these remarkable birds connect with one another and the world around them.

Photo by Frank Cone

Myth 5: Hummingbirds Will Alert You When Feeders Are Empty

Many people believe hummingbirds will let them know when feeders are empty by hovering near windows, chirping, or displaying other signs of “communication.” While these bird behaviors can sometimes grab our attention, they aren’t deliberate messages. Let’s unravel the truth behind this myth.

Understanding Bird Behavior

Hummingbirds are resourceful and perceptive, but they’re not explicitly trying to “alert” humans when their feeders run dry. Instead, these behaviors are instinct-driven responses to a lack of food. You might observe:

• Hovering Near Feeders: Hummingbirds often revisit familiar feeding spots to check if food is available. If a feeder is empty, they might hover, hoping for sustenance.
• Approaching Humans or Windows: A curious hummingbird might seem to be asking for food when it flies close, but it’s likely investigating movement or color it associates with flowers or feeders.
• Quick Departures: Hummingbirds often approach feeders but leave just as quickly when they find no nectar.

These actions aren’t personal messages—they’re survival instincts driving birds to search for new food sources as quickly as possible. For more signs that may indicate your feeders are empty, read this guide.

Feeder Maintenance

Maintaining your feeders is crucial to keeping these feathered visitors healthy and happy. Neglecting maintenance can lead to empty feeders, spoiled nectar, or even harm hummingbirds’ health. Here’s what you should do:

1. Check Feeders Regularly: Monitor nectar levels daily and refill before they run out, especially during peak hummingbird activity.
2. Clean Feeders Weekly or More Often: Dirty feeders can grow dangerous mold and bacteria. Use hot water and a mild soap solution to clean thoroughly, as outlined here.
3. Avoid Overfilling: Fill feeders with an amount that hummingbirds can consume within a few days. This prevents waste and reduces the risk of contamination.
4. Replace Sugar Water Frequently: Change nectar every 2–3 days in warm weather to prevent fermentation or spoilage.

When you actively maintain feeders, you provide a reliable and healthy resource for these tiny, energy-driven birds. A little extra attention goes a long way in ensuring their needs are met.

Photo by DANNIEL CORBIT.

Hummingbirds don’t intentionally communicate when feeders are empty, but observing their behavior and keeping feeders well-maintained helps you support these remarkable creatures.

Conclusion

Understanding the truth about hummingbirds is key to supporting their survival and fostering appreciation. Common myths often misguide efforts to help these incredible birds, from their diets to migration habits. By separating fact from fiction, we can create environments that truly benefit them, like planting diverse nectar-rich flowers or maintaining dye-free feeders.

Your actions can make a real difference. What new steps will you take to support hummingbirds in your area? Share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below to keep the conversation going!