Easy Recipe for Hummingbird Food
Have you ever seen a hummingbird fly? When they roost and roost, they spend most of their time foraging for nectar to maintain their energy levels. They need to eat once every 10 to 15 minutes and visit between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers a day to get the energy they need. Do you want to help them get food more easily?
Hummingbirds use flower nectar for energy to hunt insects, which they use for protein, fats, and vitamins. Natural nectar consists of 21-23% sucrose, which is regular table sugar. Making nectar at home is cheap, simple, environmentally friendly, and healthy for hummingbirds. To get a similar ratio, simply use one part sugar to four parts water.
If you want to feed hummingbirds without making nectar, you will need to keep a small feeder filled with insects. Sound unpleasant? Let’s start with what you’ll need for this DIY elixir recipe!
What will you need?
Small bowl
Hummingbird feeder
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups of water
Instructions
Put the sugar and water in a small bowl. If you want to make more or less than this recipe, the ratio is one part sugar to four parts water.
Bring the mixture to a boil. While cooking, stir the contents to help dissolve the sugar.
When all the sugar dissolves, blend the mixture. This may take about 10 minutes depending on the initial temperature of the water and the amount used. If you double the recipe, the cooking times will change.
Leave the mixture to cool to room temperature. You can keep it in the refrigerator to speed up the process.
Add the mixture to a clean hummingbird feeder. To clean the feeder, rinse it with water and wipe off any dirt. there he is! You’ve made your own hummingbird nectar. Close the feeder and watch your birds enjoy a delicious meal!
You will need to change the food in the feeder regularly to provide fresh food for your birds. Rinse and refill your feeder regularly.
What type of sugar should I use for hummingbird nectar?
Do not feed hummingbirds honey, jelly, fruit, molasses, brown sugar, or turbinado sugar. A sugar solution that is too diluted or contains organic matter can boil or boil and poison hummingbirds. Additionally, sugar substitutes simply provide no nutrition for hummingbirds. The part they need is sucrose, pure sugar.
The molasses found in brown sugar and turbinado sugar contains iron, other minerals and moisture that birds don’t need. In fact, iron accumulates in the bodies of hummingbirds, so a small excess of the metal can lead to their poisoning.
If the sugar package doesn’t clearly say it’s cane sugar, it may be beet sugar. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that hummingbirds can taste the difference between two types of sugar. Although this is not true, if you notice no hummingbirds at your feeder, it may be a good idea to check that you are using cane sugar.
How to choose the best feeder
Since hummingbirds will drink from any type of feeder as long as it contains nectar, the most important factor in choosing a feeder is how easy it is to maintain. To be a responsible hummingbird helper, you need to monitor the condition of the nectar and clean the feeder regularly. Choose a feeder that is:
Easy to clean. A feeder that comes apart for cleaning will ensure thorough cleaning to keep your hummingbirds healthy. Basin-style feeders are easier to clean than the upside-down bottle type.
Easy to fill. The easier it is to fill, the more likely it is to fill!
Hummingbirds are easy to spot. Most feeders are red because hummingbirds are attracted to the color. If you find a model that doesn’t have a red portion, simply attach a bright red ribbon or tape to the feeder to help the birds discover your gift.
Equipped with a perch (optional). Hummingbirds don’t need to sit on anything while eating, but sitting on them gives them a chance to rest.
Made with the content of your choice. Most feeders are made of plastic, glass, or ceramic. Choose content that you like and is not an eyesore.
Where should I hang a hummingbird feeder?
Hummingbirds will find your feeder more quickly if you place it near the plants they often prefer. You can also place a feeder near a window so you can enjoy the company of birds as they pass by. Hang things close to the glass so birds don’t think they can fly through the window.
Where to put the feeder?
At least 5 feet above the ground
Not near the nest
In a shaded area, if possible.
How to Clean a Hummingbird Feeder
Discard any unused sugar water.
Wash the feeder with warm tap water. Use a bottle brush if it helps you get into the crevices. Do not use soap because birds do not like its taste. Bleach or strong vinegar can help clean and won’t deter your guests from traveling.
Check the feeder for any black mold. If you find one, the most effective way to remove it is to use bleach. Use a mixture of 1/4 cup bleach and 1 gallon of water to leave the feeder for one hour. Clean it with a bottle brush, rinse it well with running water, and refill the feeder. Even if you don’t find black mold, soak it in bleach once a month to keep it clean. If you’re concerned about BPA leaching from your polycarbonate plastic due to the use of bleach, don’t hesitate to replace it with full-strength white vinegar.
If the sugar in your feeder becomes cloudy, it has gone bad and should be replaced. This can happen within at least two days.
How to Maintain a Feeder
Keep a checklist of these tasks so you can best help your hummingbirds get the sustenance they need.
Feeders should be cleaned between enclosures. Don’t fill any gaps in the feeder with nectar – clean the entire feeder first!
Use mild soap and water to rinse the feeder well.
Soak in bleach once a month.
If the feeder is not in use, do not fill it completely.
Clean the feeder and change the nectar every 3-4 days and after 2-3 days in hot weather.
How to prevent insects from feeding on nectar
Ants can be a nuisance and will hunt for your food unless you take proper precautions. Here are some things you can do or look for to prevent hummingbirds from stealing the food you have prepared:
Purchase a drip feeder.
Choose a feeder that has an ant basin that you can fill with water. Do not use oil to do this as young birds often prefer to drink from the trough.
Bees and wasps can also be attracted to the feeder and may not be welcome in your garden. They are also attracted to yellow, so try removing or repainting any components of that color from your feeder.
Never use any petroleum-based products — Vaseline, Tanglefoot, or Vicks — to keep insects away from your feeder. It is water-soluble and can spoil the feathers of hummingbirds to the point that they cannot fly.
How to store extra nectar?
If you’re worried about not having enough time to cook on a regular basis, whip up a big batch together! Sugar lasts a long time, and is even used as a preservative. You can store any extra food in an airtight container. Just make sure to clean it so it doesn’t attract ants.
What will you need?
An old syrup bottle
Funnel
Nectar
I love using old maple syrup containers because they are made to preserve the quality of the sugar and reusing plastic containers is environmentally friendly. You may want to use a funnel to introduce the nectar into the container. This can help you avoid a potentially sticky mess. When you want to add nectar later, just squeeze it into the feeder!
Refrigerate extra nectar to store for up to two weeks. If you see any mold or mildew, get rid of it.
Freeze the mixture and store it safely for a long time. If you want to use it, let it thaw at room temperature before filling the feeder.
Remember that sugared water is a rich growing medium. Yeasts love to eat them, causing fermentation that can harm hummingbirds. Mold and bacteria grow in them, and they can also harm birds. So you need to keep the feeder clean and the nectar fresh.
How to Prevent Sugar Crystallization
Depending on moisture content, food may crystallize over time. If this happens, add a little water and put it in the microwave. Remember to let it cool before feeding. If you find this happening too often, simply increase the amount of water the next time you make a new batch of food.
