Making the Perfect Hummingbird Nectar – Recipe Included!

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If you know me, you know that I LOVE Hummingbirds. They are probably my favorite type of bird. They are totally unique, and they have many features that I admire so much.

Did you know that Hummingbirds are the only kind of bird that can fly backwards? Or that they can flap their wings at 40-80 times per second, depending on the species? They are able to rotate each of their wings in a circular motion, allowing them to accomplish such a talented flying pattern.

[Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.]

Another interesting fact about Hummingbirds is that they are not able to walk, as most other birds do. You might see them shuffle between moments of hovering, but their legs aren’t very strong. Their quick-moving wings make up for what their legs lack in strength.

Personally, I think that one of their most considerable traits is their prism-like coloring.

When the sunlight hits them just right, you’ll notice a flash of brightly colored feathers on their chest (or chin). This is caused by the refraction of light by the structures of certain feathers. I don’t totally understand the science behind it all, but it’s such a cool thing to witness!

As a novice nature photographer, I could sit and watch Hummingbirds all day long. Capturing the perfect photo of the hummers as they turn towards the light is such an exciting thing for me. (Both of the photos you see below were taken on my Canon camera, and you can see the magic happen in both pictures!)

Along with enjoying their presence each day, it’s important to make sure you are taking care of the Hummingbirds that come into your yard looking for a sweet treat.

Here in this post, you’ll find out how to make the most of your Hummingbird feeder, and more importantly, how to keep your feeder clean in order to promote the health and happiness of your local Hummers.

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Did you know that you can make your hummingbirds sick (or cause their untimely death) by leaving your feeders unattended and unclean for more than a few days?

Candidiasis is a condition caused by ingesting fungus (mold). It causes a Hummingbird’s tongue to swell, ultimately causing them to starve to death.

If a Hummingbird gets sick and has babies to feed back at her nest, then sadly, they will die too. We definitely don’t want that!

For a great example of what a moldy hummingbird feeder looks like, check out this post on my Instagram page (@thewildlifediaryblog) by visiting this link: https://www.instagram.com/p/B2fqKo4An7m/?igshid=1d7gw4vxzo6q1

How you can help prevent this issue:

Thoroughly clean and refill your Hummingbird feeder every 2-3 days. Use white vinegar rather than dish soap, and make sure to take apart each section of the feeder and triple check for any mold growth. (My feeder has 3 sections, so double check yours to make sure you’re taking it apart all the way!)

Scrub all parts with a sponge or an old toothbrush, and dry it well. Refill the feeder with fresh nectar (see the recipe below), hang it in a shady spot outside, and enjoy your happy & healthy Hummingbird friends!

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Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

Ingredients: – 1 Cup of white sugar – 4 Cups of water

Instructions: Heat 4 cups of water in a pot. Once the water starts to boil, turn off the heat and stir in the sugar. (Do not add sugar to boiling water, as it weakens the sugar content). Once the mixture is completely cooled, you may add the nectar to the Hummingbird feeder.

Remember to clean and replace the nectar every 2-3 days! Leftover nectar can be stored in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

You can find a great 2-pack Hummingbird Feeder here. I have this kind at home (see below!), and it works great! It’s simple, cost effective, and the Hummers love it! It also makes a great gift for any occasion! 😉

This Hummingbird nectar is super simple to make, and it will take you less than 5 minutes to complete the whole process!

There are some other things to keep in mind, though.

DO NOT use honey, brown sugar, molasses, or red dye as a substitute for white sugar.

Here’s why: Honey is not a natural food for hummers. When placed in the sunlight, and it heats up quickly which causes the honey to ferment. This will make the Hummingbirds sick, just as the mold does. Brown sugar, raw sugar, and molasses can all cause various health issues for hummers, and should not be used.

Lastly, red dye (food coloring) should never be used in your nectar. It is completely unnecessary and is potentially harmful to the hummers. The red color on the feeder is more than enough to attract the hummers.

Everyone needs to be made aware that something as simple as red food coloring or a small amount of mold can cause major issues for these little birds. People may be pre-disposed to act on ‘tradition’ by what they see in stores, such as commercially packaged red Hummingbird nectar. Pre-made red nectar must be safe, right?.

Actually, no – It’s not safe, and it’s best to leave it out all together.

Here are some other ways to attract Hummingbirds!

If you would like to attract more hummers to your yard, here are some red ways to do so! Flowers with red, pink, or orange colors are great for attracting hummers, and they love the nectar that comes from the flowers!

Desert Honeysuckle, Bee Balm, and flowering Aloe Vera are just a handful of great hummer plants to have in your yard!

You can find a complete list of plants on the Hummingbird Society’s website linked below:

https://www.hummingbirdsociety.org/hummingbird-flowers/

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The Hummingbirds will thank you!

Now that you’ve learned how to effectively maintain a healthy environment for your local Hummingbirds, I hope you enjoy all of the happy hummer friends who come to hang out in your yard!

Do you have a favorite kind of Hummingbird? Be sure to tell me down in the comments!

Don’t forget to share this post on all of your social media pages… We want to spread the word about how we can provide the very best for our beloved Hummingbirds!