I wanted to share a quick, simple recipe for hummingbird nectar before their migration comes later in the year (about August through October). If your home is anything like ours, you may already have a few making their residence and flying around. Rubythroats are our main hummingbirds here, and we have 5 currently visiting daily.
Firstly, be aware that red food coloring can be harmful to these sensitive little hummers. This is why I prefer to make my own nectar. If you have red and/or yellow coloring on your feeder- they'll come to it just fine! Plus, for those of you who will be swarmed by them in later months on their journey South, making your own is much cheaper than going and buying pre-made nectar in the store!
I follow the universal recipe, which is recommended by the National Audubon Society
https://www.audubon.org/news/how-make-hummingbird-nectar
It uses a 4:1 ration, which means 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.
1 cup water - > 1/4 cup sugar
2 cups water - > 1/2 cup sugar
3 cups water - > 3/4 cup sugar
4 cups water - > 1 cup sugar
And so on. Bring your water to a boil, then combine the sugar until thoroughly dissolved. Make sure to let it cool before filling your feeders. Another very important factor it to clean the feeders by hand, and to change their nectar as well. We change our nectar twice a week. I recommend not making too terribly much to start to avoid waste- for our five hummers that currently live here, I make a 2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar mix that lasts for half the week until the next change.
Hummingbirds also love a variety of flowers- do some research into the types of flowers they enjoy frequenting to plant and prepare for next migration season. Especially with their territorial nature, this will help ensure other birds who may be unable to make it to the feeder have a place to find nectar.
I hope this has been of some help or value to anyone who loves hummingbirds. I'll be sure to post some pictures later! Please feel free to share photos you've taken of the hummingbirds at your house.
Firstly, be aware that red food coloring can be harmful to these sensitive little hummers. This is why I prefer to make my own nectar. If you have red and/or yellow coloring on your feeder- they'll come to it just fine! Plus, for those of you who will be swarmed by them in later months on their journey South, making your own is much cheaper than going and buying pre-made nectar in the store!
I follow the universal recipe, which is recommended by the National Audubon Society
https://www.audubon.org/news/how-make-hummingbird-nectar
It uses a 4:1 ration, which means 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.
1 cup water - > 1/4 cup sugar
2 cups water - > 1/2 cup sugar
3 cups water - > 3/4 cup sugar
4 cups water - > 1 cup sugar
And so on. Bring your water to a boil, then combine the sugar until thoroughly dissolved. Make sure to let it cool before filling your feeders. Another very important factor it to clean the feeders by hand, and to change their nectar as well. We change our nectar twice a week. I recommend not making too terribly much to start to avoid waste- for our five hummers that currently live here, I make a 2 cup water 1/2 cup sugar mix that lasts for half the week until the next change.
Hummingbirds also love a variety of flowers- do some research into the types of flowers they enjoy frequenting to plant and prepare for next migration season. Especially with their territorial nature, this will help ensure other birds who may be unable to make it to the feeder have a place to find nectar.
I hope this has been of some help or value to anyone who loves hummingbirds. I'll be sure to post some pictures later! Please feel free to share photos you've taken of the hummingbirds at your house.
