Step 8: Food
Hummingbird feeders were made to imitate flowers. Therefore, the liquid inside should be something similar to nectar. Hummingbirds do not live off of sugar water alone, but also hunt bugs and insects. Some scientists believe the nectar simply gives them energy to execute this task.
This means those fancy pants commercial nectar mixes with "added vitamins and minerals!" or whatever else they put in there is superfluous. You can make your own sugar water yourself.
The generally accepted recipe is 1 part sugar for every 4 parts of water. This proportion is used because it is close to the average sucrose content, about 21%, in flowers hummingbirds frequent. It is also enough sugar for the hummingbirds, but not too sweet that it should draw attention to ants, wasps, and other pests. Another reason not to add too much sugar is that it can cause liver damage to the hummingbirds.
Though not necessary, I usually boil the water before use. The microorganisms that cause fermentation come from the hummingbirds' beaks, not the water. The hot water makes it easier to dissolve the sugar. Add 1/4 cup of sugar for every cup of water and stir. Continue until you feel you have enough "nectar".
Bottle the rest and stick it in your fridge until the feeder needs a refill. The refrigerated solution will last up to two weeks.
You might think that hummingbirds are attracted to color, so add some red food coloring. DON'T! The feeder we just made, or one that you bought, probably already has color on it, so this is extra. The food coloring is also foreign to the hummingbird's digestive system, which could cause sickness.
Also, never use honey! This can kill them! Only use plain sugar when making nectar.
This means those fancy pants commercial nectar mixes with "added vitamins and minerals!" or whatever else they put in there is superfluous. You can make your own sugar water yourself.
The generally accepted recipe is 1 part sugar for every 4 parts of water. This proportion is used because it is close to the average sucrose content, about 21%, in flowers hummingbirds frequent. It is also enough sugar for the hummingbirds, but not too sweet that it should draw attention to ants, wasps, and other pests. Another reason not to add too much sugar is that it can cause liver damage to the hummingbirds.
Though not necessary, I usually boil the water before use. The microorganisms that cause fermentation come from the hummingbirds' beaks, not the water. The hot water makes it easier to dissolve the sugar. Add 1/4 cup of sugar for every cup of water and stir. Continue until you feel you have enough "nectar".
Bottle the rest and stick it in your fridge until the feeder needs a refill. The refrigerated solution will last up to two weeks.
You might think that hummingbirds are attracted to color, so add some red food coloring. DON'T! The feeder we just made, or one that you bought, probably already has color on it, so this is extra. The food coloring is also foreign to the hummingbird's digestive system, which could cause sickness.
Also, never use honey! This can kill them! Only use plain sugar when making nectar.
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