Commercial hummingbird nectar products may advertise different flavors, vitamins and other additives that are supposed to attract additional birds.Hot nectar can warp or crack both glass and plastic hummingbird feeders and warm nectar will ferment more quickly. Hummingbird nectar must be completely cool before filling feeders.The 4:1 water to sugar ratio most closely approximates the sucrose levels in natural nectar. The ratio of sugar and water can be slightly adjusted, but a solution that is too sweet will be difficult for the birds to digest and one that does not contain enough sugar will not be suitable to attract hummingbirds.If you use extra fine sugar no boiling may be needed. Therefore, it is not necessary to boil the nectar once the sugar has been dissolved. While boiling will help slow the fermentation of the nectar initially, the nectar in hummingbird feeders is contaminated as soon as it is sipped by a bird.Sugar substitutes do not have the caloric energy that hummingbirds need for energy. Honey and molasses (brown sugar contains molasses products) are too heavy for hummingbirds to digest efficiently and can ferment more quickly, creating a mold that is fatal to hummingbirds. Do not use honey, brown sugar, molasses or artificial sugar substitutes for any hummingbird nectar recipe.You can also boil the water before adding the sugar to help purify it. If your tap water contains heavy chemicals, consider using bottled or purified water for purer nectar.Time flies, almost as fast as a hummingbird. I can’t believe he’s going to be even years old this year. Watching the hummingbirds fly around the back deck and sip from the feeder. This is a photo of my son when he was about 9 months old. Then they’ll come in droves.Īnd just for fun, I want to share one of my favorite mom memories. Just keep putting out the food and they’ll come once they’ve deemed it safe, promise. If you don’t spot hummingbirds right away – don’t fret. The whole family enjoyed watching it and we were glad he/she joined us for our meal. In fact, we had a hummingbird on our feeder throughout most of dinner last night – right on the dining room window. Once the hummingbirds find you – you’ll need to be filling them up about that often anyway! Lowes or Home Depot carry window hooks that allow you to put the feeders on your windows – which is a fantastic way to see a bird. Try to avoid spilling – or else you’ll be in the business of attracting ants.Ĭlean your feeders about twice a month to keep build-up at bay. Also placing the feeder near flowers and/or greenery – the birds like a quick escape into a tree or brush. I’ve found red feeders with clear nectar are very effective without adding extra colorings. If you have leftovers, keep in fridge for up to two weeks.ĭon’t add food coloring – it can be harmful. So you could do 2 cups water and 1/2 sugar, if you wanted or any quantity that follows the ratio. You want a ratio of four (4) parts water to one (1) part sugar. The birds love the nectar, it’s simple and frugal to make, and it is safe for the birds (unlike some of the red colored packaged stuff from the stores).īoil water, add sugar, stir until dissolved.ĭon’t boil too long – it will change the ratio of sugar to water. My friend gave me a homemade hummingbird nectar recipe many years back – and it works like a charm at beckoning these long-beaked beauties. They are such fast little buggers that you barely get more than a buzzing over your head as they fly to their next sweet spot. I love the satisfaction of spotting a hummingbird. Homemade Hummingbird Food (Nectar) Recipe I have this pinned to my Gardening Pinterest board here. Photo taken in my backyard! I have feeders everywhere.
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