Seed and feeder color preference in native New England bird species

Our research question involves seed color and feeder color discrimination in native New England bird species. We would like to test whether the color of the seed influences the rate at which it is consumed.  The same variety of seed would be used and colored via food dye, the different colors would then be placed in the same color feeder. These colors would include unnatural colors such as blue, pink, and purple and natural colors such as green, black, and red.  We would also include a control with no addition of color. We would also like to investigate as to whether the color of the feeder influences the frequency of visits. The same seed would be used in different color feeders and feeders would be observed for a set amount of time.  The feeder colors could be the same list of colors included previously and in place of the control would be clear/silver.  The preferences observed with both experiments in a natural environment can then be compared to that of an urban setting. This comparison may pose a developmental question as to how behavior is dictated by development of an individual in different environments.