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Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

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Hummingbirds may be some of the smallest birds in the world, but fluttering those tiny wings can be quite a workout. Flapping away at up to 90 beats per second burns up calories fast; to maintain their momentum, hummingbirds need to eat—a lot! To satisfy their speedy metabolisms, these busy birds consume half their body weight in bugs and nectar, feeding every 10-15 minutes and visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers per day.

You can help these hardworking foragers get the nutrients they need by providing them with their favorite post-workout meal—nectar. This hummingbird sweet treat can be made right at home with a few simple ingredients. By filling your feeder with this DIY delight, you can complement nectar-rich plants and watch these beautiful little birds feed and flitter all day.

hummingbird nectar recipe

Mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts water (for example, 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of water) until the sugar is dissolved. Do not add red dye. Fill your hummingbird feeders with the sugar water and place outside. Extra sugar water can be stored in a refrigerator.

Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

hummingbird nectar recipe

This homemade hummingbird nectar recipe will have your sweet little friends squeaking their thanks all day long!

Prep: 5min

Total: 10min

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup pure white cane sugar
  • 3-4 cups water (*see notes)

Instruction:

  1. Store extra hummingbird nectar in a glass jar, or another air tight container, in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

FAST EASY Hummingbird Recipe Nectar feeding Hundreds of Birds Hummingbirds Feed in Feeders All Year

FAQ

Is a 3 to 1 ratio OK for hummingbirds?

Keep it simple and only feed hummingbirds the 4:1 water to plain white sugar solution.

Why do you have to boil sugar water for hummingbirds?

We always do boil the water to neutralize some impurities that might be in the water or sugar. Besides, sugar dissolves more easily in hot water. But as soon as the feeder is outdoors, contaminants will get into the water anyway, brought by hummingbirds, insects or just a breeze.

Do hummingbirds prefer nectar or sugar water?

Natural, nectar-producing plants are the best foods for hummingbirds. However, there is little evidence to say which method hummingbirds prefer. With that said, hummingbirds are not particularly picky when it comes to their food. They don’t really seem to differentiate between sugar water and natural nectar.

Can you put too much sugar in hummingbird nectar?

Nectar with more sugar is more difficult to digest, and it is possible that if hummingbirds are only drinking very sweet nectar, it could cause liver or kidney damage, especially as the birds will be ingesting less water at the same time.

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About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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