Possibly there is no harm being done, but considering there won’t be any extensive studies done for the hummers regarding red coloring, and even more so because it is truly Not needed in their nectar, why take the chance of using it? Even if your hummingbird feeder isn’t red, they will still come. They are more attracted to red, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only color they are drawn to. I used an orange oriole feeder and they were happy to use it all summer long. I had a green glass blown apple, they were happy to visit (though I didn’t like it). So give them some yummy sugar water and let them enjoy the simplicity of it.

As for a bird bath – go simple. Use a saucer for a large plant pot. Put a few rocks in the center to help hold it steady if it’s plastic, though I use a clay saucer, but it was sealed so it didn’t soak up the water into the pores of the clay. Rocks are nice because birds like to get into the water that is shallow to them.. so if the saucer is 3 inches deep, a few rocks for the birds to stand and land on will be appealing. Set this on a small table (cheap ones from the garden store) or a tree stump that is flat on both ends and sturdy. Place a shepherds hook next to it and hang your homemade dripper over the bath.