Having hummingbirds in your yard is a treat for everyone, but these elusive birds don’t just show up on their own–you will need to create a habitat that is inviting to them and feed them once they arrive.
Hummingbirds feed primarily on nectar, or a sugary sweet water, which is packed with the calories they need to support those wildly beating hearts and wings. With a smart hummingbird feeder camera, you can not only feed hummingbirds but get stunning photos of them sent directly to your desktop or phone. The FeatherSnap Hummingbird Wi-Fi Camera pairs three nectar ports with a high-definition camera and user-friendly app.
Nectar is easily made at home and easily placed into hummingbird feeders, but before you mix up your own concoction, there are a few things you need to be aware of. How do you make it? And how do you make sure it's safe? Let’s break it down.
What Is Hummingbird Nectar?
Hummingbird nectar is a sugar-water solution that is much like the nectar that is naturally found in flowers such as agastache, salvia, beebalm, cardinal flower, and trumpet creeper. Nectar provides hummingbirds with the high-energy fuel they need to power their super-fast wings and high metabolism. It's easy to make and keeps these tiny birds coming back for more.
DIY Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
The best nectar mirrors the sugar concentration found in the flowers that hummingbirds prefer, with the sugar making up about 20-25% of the solution. Here’s a standard recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 part white granulated sugar
- 4 parts water (preferably filtered or boiled and cooled)
Instructions:
- Mix sugar and water until the sugar dissolves.
- Do not add red food coloring—it's unnecessary and may be harmful.
- Pour the mixture into a clean feeder.
- Store any unused nectar in the refrigerator for up to a week
Hummingbird Feeder Maintenance Tips
Keeping every bird feeder clean is important for bird health, but it’s especially important for keeping hummingbirds healthy. Here’s what to do:
- Clean the feeder every 1-2 days in hot weather, or every 3-4 days in cooler temps.
- Rinse the feeder with hot water and scrub with a bottle brush.
- Avoid harsh soaps or anything with bleach.
- If your feeder gets moldy, soak it in a mix of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water, then rinse everything thoroughly.
Tips for Bringing Hummingbirds to Your Feeder
- Place feeders in a shaded or cooler area in order to slow fermentation and spoilage.
- Hummingbirds can be territorial and aggressive–discourage this by using multiple feeders spaced at least a few feet apart.
- Don’t let the nectar sit for more than a week, even if it's not finished.
Hummingbird Nectar FAQs
Q: Can I use brown sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners instead of plain sugar?
A: No. Brown sugar and honey can ferment or grow harmful bacteria, and artificial sweeteners don't provide the calories hummingbirds need. Hummingbird nectar is best made from plain white sugar.
Q: Is red food coloring necessary?
A: No. The red color of the feeder itself is enough to attract them. Not only is red food coloring not necessary, but food dye may be harmful over time.
Q: Why aren’t hummingbirds visiting my feeder?
A: Nectar is important, but nectar alone won’t bring hummingbirds to your feeder. If you aren’t seeing much action, try relocating the feeder to a quieter, shadier spot. Ensure the nectar is fresh and that the feeder is clean and brightly colored.
Q: Why should hummingbird feeders be red?
A: The color red is a visual cue that helps hummingbirds find nectar. Red flowers tend to be associated with high-sugar, high-energy nectar. Red flowers stand out against green foliage, making them easier to spot, and some red flowers also reflect UV light, which makes them stand out even more. Finally, hummingbirds have been found to have cone cells in their retinas that are enhanced with red and yellow pigments, which make red hues in the wild look extra bright.
Q: How often should I refill the feeder?
A: Refill your feeder when the nectar runs low or spoils. In peak migration season, you might refill daily. Keep in mind that hummingbird nectar will begin to freeze at about 29°F (lower than normal water because of the sugar content), and frozen nectar could expand and damage your feeder.
Q: Should I boil the water?
A: It’s a good idea but not absolutely required if you're using clean water and fresh nectar. Boiling helps dissolve sugar and kills microbes.
Bottom line: Creating a hummingbird haven in your backyard is rewarding and doesn’t have to be hard. By offering fresh, homemade nectar and keeping feeders clean, you’re providing a vital energy source to these remarkable creatures—and by making it yourself, you’re feeding these birds for literally pennies a week.