Is hummingbird red liquid food harmful to the birds beaks?

Question

Is hummingbird red liquid food harmful to the birds beaks?

Answer 1

absolutely not I've been feeding humming birds for over 20 years and I've placed over a dozen feeders within my yard and some feeders have 5 or 6 spouts on them, if the red food coloring harmed them i don't believe they'd still be feeding daily, all day at times. and if you look up the ingredients  in red food dye you'd see its harmless.

if you have doubts call 1-800-632-5847

              ELLEN. W

Answer 2

There is some controversy as to whether or not the dye is harmful to hummingbirds or not.  I have never heard that it might be harmful to their beaks, but it is thought that it may cause tumors or may build up in liver or kidneys.  There has been no scientific studies (on birds) proving OR disproving these statements ..so I just use plain sugar water with NO coloring.  It is actually not needed to attract the birds as the red color on the feeder itself is enough to get them to the feeders, so why take the chance of harming them when the red dye is not necessary.  There HAVE been studies done on mammals testing red dyes (with tumors resulting), and some experts do agree that it should not be added when feeding birds.  

http://www.paghat.com/reddye.html

Answer 3

no