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There has been debate in the birding community about the practice of putting red food coloring in the nectar in hummingbird feeders with the hope of attracting more hummingbirds. While many people claim that the colored hummingbird nectar in their feeders attracts more hummers, others feel that this practice is unnecessary and possibly dangerous to the birds. Possible side effects include weakened eggs and premature death to the birds.

Natural nectar, which the birds get from flowers, is colorless, so adding color to the feeders is seen by some as unnatural. Some studies have shown that red dye has been known to cause pre-cancerous DNA damage in laboratory animals. It is interesting to note the no research has actually been done by the Food and Drug Administration, which approves food additives, to determine the safety of red dye for wild birds.

To be on the safe side, it’s recommended to make your own homemade nectar solution, using 4 parts water and one part sugar, or to buy commercial instant nectar, such as the clear dry concentrate sold by Perky Pet (retail $2.49 pkg.). Songbird Essentials, also makes a nectar concentrate without artificial dyes that you mix with water. Both of these are available at USA Bird Supply, either through their website http://www.usabirdsupply.com or at their retail store at 11163 Main Street, Clarence.

And if you simply must have color in your nectar, some recommend mixing a bit of naturally colored fruit juice concentrate into the nectar. It is far better to have a red feeder or have red decorations on the feeder to attract the hummers, than to have red nectar.

By Christine A. Smyczynski

Paper vs. plastic, cloth vs. disposable, glass vs. plastic; for many consumer products, from grocery bags, to diapers, to milk cartons, we face an almost daily decision on what’s the best materials to use.
This is also true when choosing a hummingbird feeder. There are a wide variety of feeders availed on the market: plastic, glass, and combinations of metal and plastic, metal and glass, and even wood and plastic. However, there is really no right or wrong decision when choosing a feeder, it comes down to personal preference as well as what you want to spend.
If you’ve decided you want to put a feeder in your yard to attract the world’s smallest bird, USA Bird Supply offers a huge selection of hummingbird feeders, from simple 3 ounce tube feeders, which retail for $1.99, to ornate hand-blown glass feeders costing close to $40.
So which is better? Plastic is lighter in weight than glass and less likely to break when dropped. However, glass is more durable and easier to clean. If you want a plastic feeder, USA Bird Supply offers at least a dozen to choose from, including a fun balloon shaped feeder by Artline ($11.99). For something really unique, check out a natural wood feeder by Perky Pet, which has a shatterproof nectar container ($14.99).
If you want something more decorative, there are many lovely hand-blown recycled glass hummingbird feeders available at the store. These feeders, manufacturers include Birdbrain and Parasol, are usually a bit more expensive than the plastic feeders, ranging from $26.99 to $38.99. However, glass is usually more durable, as it doesn’t break down from the elements as plastic eventually does, so you should get many years of enjoyment out of these feeders.
To view the complete line of hummingbird feeders available at USA Bird Supply, visit www.usabirdsupply.com or stop by the retail store at 11163 Main Street Clarence.

By Christine A. Smyczynski