Do you have hummingbird feeders ready to be filled up? If you are still buying the mix or liquid at the store this is your sign to STOP! I have a recipe that is much healthier for the birds and much cheaper for you. With just two basic ingredients you can make some homemade hummingbird nectar for pennies. The hummingbirds will love it and keep coming back for more.
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You Let Them Drink Hummingbird Nectar !?!?
When my brother and I were little kids, we spent a lot of time with our grandparents. Every year Mama and Papa hung up bird feeders around the yard. In fact, the smell of bird seed takes me back to their basement helping Mama fill up all of the feeders. She would tell me the story about me scaring away the crows by beating on her pots with a wooden spoon. She swears I beat the pot so much that she couldn’t use it any more.
Later in the spring, we would help her fill up the hummingbird feeders. We would help measure the sugar, pour in the water, and stir. Of course we had to taste it to make sure it was sweet enough for the birds. We each got a tablespoon of the sweet, sugar water to taste and always claimed that it needed more sugar. We told our mom that Mama let us drink hummingbird nectar. She thought we were drinking the store bought nectar and wasn’t happy until she found out it was just a tablespoon of sugar water.
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How to Attract Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds migrate each year. You can easily find a map of their migration to figure out if they are in your area yet. I put the feeders out around the middle of March after the chance of snow and long freezes has passed. This gives the birds passing through some food early in the season.
Hummingbirds are very smart. They remember where they got food the previous year and will return for more next year. They live 3-5 years. The second year I put out my feeder, I saw a familiar green hummingbird that I called “Squeakers” because of the noises that he made. If you don’t have some homemade hummingbird nectar out when they pass through, they will move on because they can only survive a few hours without food.
Hummingbirds like areas without a lot of activity. These tiny birds aren’t fans of pets or kids because they are so delicate. Place your feeders in a quiet area near trees if possible. They will perch in them to rest and keep watch.
Brightly colored flowers attract hummingbirds to the feeders. Try planting a flower bed around the feeder to draw them in. They are particularly fond of red flowers that are shaped like a tube. Honeysuckle and bee balm are also good.
When you are looking for a hummingbird feeder, look for one with lots of red on it. Keep in mind that these must be washed weekly if not more during the warm summer months. For that reason I like ones with a wide mouth. I prefer a glass jar and a metal base so that I can simply toss them in the dishwasher before refilling them with homemade hummingbird nectar.
Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Ingredients
4 cups water
1 cup sugar
Instructions
- First you will need to heat up four cups of water. It doesn’t need to be boiling, but the warmer it is the easier it will be to dissolve the sugar.
- Next mix in one cup of sugar. You can adjust the recipe, as long as you keep the ratio 1:4.
- Now mix the sugar until it dissolves.
- After it cools, you can fill up the hummingbird feeders. Keep any extra homemade hummingbird nectar in the fridge for refills.
Homemade Hummingbird Nectar FAQs
What kind of sugar should I use?
White, granulated sugar is best. Raw sugar or brown sugar can make the hummingbirds sick when they drink the nectar. Stick to the cheap stuff because you have to replace it often to prevent bacteria growth.
Can I use tap water?
Tap water works just fine as long as you boil it first. This removes any impurities that could make the hummingbirds sick.
Can I substitute the sugar for honey?
Although this seems like a great idea because honey is made from nectar, this will make the poor little hummingbirds very sick if used in the homemade nectar. Stick to the white sugar.
Will red dye attract more birds?
It is believed that the color red attracts hummingbirds because it resembles red flowers full of sweet nectar. While this is true, the best way to incorporate red is by purchasing a red feeder. Adding red food coloring can make the birds sick. They are delicate little things.
The site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Revive EO Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thanks for the recipe. My hummers have returned and have voracious appetites. I made a double batch to have on hand.