And you’d be right! However, I would not advise adding anything to your nectar recipe. You may be thinking just drinking sugar water isn’t going to get hummingbirds all the vitamins, minerals and proteins they need. red nectar | Image: ArtTower | Should I add vitamins or other supplements? If you want to know more about the red-dye debate, we did an in-depth article here. Nearly every feeder available today has red coloring and/or flower designs on it, and that is what will alert the hummingbirds it is a potential food source. So why make an extra step for yourself that may hurt the hummers? Not worth it. In fact many hummingbird rehabbers will tell you they have seen it cause long term damage. Some companies still insist on selling red nectar, but it really hasn’t been proven safe. Female Ruby-throated hummingbird at our feeder | image: Should you add red dye?ĭon’t add red dyes. Plus, the more sugar in your nectar, the faster it is going to spoil. In most cases just stick with the 1:4 to be on the safe side. Some claim it can lead to liver and kidney damage, and dehydration, but there isn’t a lot of science to back that up. Going above a 1:3 ratio is controversial.

Four cups of hummingbird food = 1 cup of sugar in 4 cups of waterĪ 1:3 ratio for sugar content is sometimes okay, but typically only used for feeding hummingbirds in the winter, in areas where there may not be many natural flowers in bloom and they need some extra calories.Two cups of hummingbird food = 1/2 cup of sugar in 2 cups of water.One cup of hummingbird food = 1/4 cup of sugar in 1 cup of water.Half a cup of hummingbird food = 1/8 cup of sugar in 1/2 cup of water.Here’s a quick guide for different sized batches of hummingbird food: It’s their Goldilocks “just right” amount of sugar.

This mimics the amount of sugar found in the flower nectar that hummingbirds visit in the wild. The ratio that is proven safe for hummingbird food is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water, which equals about a 20% sugar concentration. How important is the sugar to water ratio? You don’t want to burn any hummingbird’s tongue! If you use boiling or very hot water, make sure you let the nectar solution cool to room temperature before putting it in the feeder.

Mixing Tip: Warm or hot water will help the sugar dissolve faster.

If you drink from your tap, the birds can too. Boiling your tap water first it may help your nectar last a little bit longer, but it typically isn’t necessary. Tap water (boiled or unboiled), spring water, well water, and bottled water are all fine.

Which Water To Use: avoid mineral water or carbonated water.

You WANT your hummingbird to be getting calories, that’s how they maintain their energy. Zero calorie sweeteners have, well, zero calories. Honey and syrups grow bacteria and fungus very quickly. Raw, organic and brown sugars can contain too much iron for hummingbirds.

Use plain white table sugar only: don’t be tempted to use “fancier” sugar such as organic, brown sugar, powdered sugar, honey, agave syrup, raw cane sugar, or zero calorie sweeteners.

Step 5: Fill your clean hummingbird feeder, or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 weekĪll the basics you’ll need for making hummingbird food at home.

Step 4: Let the mixture sit a few minutes until it reaches room temperature.

Continue stirring until all the sugar is dissolved

Step 3: Slowly add the sugar to the water while stirring.

Step 2: Measure out 1/4 cup of white sugar.

It can be warm from the tap, microwaved or boiled.

Step 1: Measure out 1 cup of water and add it to your bowl.You’ll need white table sugar, water, a large spoon or spatula, and a bowl or pitcher.

Hummingbird feeder food