Ask the Bird Lady: Is it ok to feed hummingbirds red dyed nectar

Question from a reader:

Is it a bad thing to use hummingbird nectar with red dye in it?

Christine Southwick responds:

Perky Pets bird feeder
with red nectar

Red dye is a hotly debated issue.

Some studies SEEM to indicate that the red dye increases cancer in hummers. But the data / jury is still out.

Perky Pets (brand name), a major maker of hummingbird feeders, still sells ready-made red nectar.

The majority of birders, myself included, ask, "Why take a chance with the red food dye?"  So instead we use feeders that have red parts, usually the feeder ports.

Most of us make our own nectar (1/4 cup of cane sugar to 1 cup of water. NOTE: do not use beet sugar -- the hummers can taste the difference).

Keep the feeders clean -- without soap.

During the cold times, I have at least two going (right now I have three), so that there is always food, even when I am cleaning one of them.

--Chris the Bird Lady