Simple & Easy Homemade Hummingbird Food
Hummingbirds
There is something so simple and relaxing. About watching the birds off the back patio of our home. But one bird in particular has caught our attention. A beautiful tiny bright green hummingbird. He enjoys sipping nectar out of the wild flowers off our back porch and refreshing in the water of our rock lined stream.
Hummingbird Nectar
My eldest son loves the fact that he can watch the birds from his bedroom window. So we did some research and found out you can make homemade hummingbird food or nectar to feed the wild hummingbirds. You can use this nectar to supplement the hummingbirds natural food throughout the year. And all you need is a few simple ingredients.
Making Hummingbird Food
You will need one cup of granulated sugar and four cups of water. Combine these two ingredients in a pot. Bring them to a boil and ensure all the sugar dissolves. Remove pot from stove. Let the mixture cool completely.
Hummingbird Sugar Water
Store hummingbird sugar water solution in a clean glass jar. We store ours in our pantry, but you can store it close to your hummingbird feeder or in an outdoor garden shed. Just ensure the mixture is sealed and will not freeze.
Red Dye Hummingbird Food
When you purchase hummingbird food at the store some comes with a red dye solution which will attract the hummingbirds because of the bright color. But the red dye solution is known to be harmful to the hummingbirds. Do not add food coloring to your homemade bird food. Instead opt for a colorful hummingbird feeder. If you supply a sweet nectar source they will come.
Hummingbird Food Do’s & Don’ts
Honey and corn syrup are common place in some kitchens but please refrain from using them in your hummingbird food as they are not safe for the hummingbird.
Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbird feeders can be as simple as a plastic tray with feeding ports or they can be elegant hand blown glass feeders that are as beautiful to look at as the birds that feed from them.
⭐ Top Three Hummingbird Feeders:
Filling The Hummingbird Feeder
Follow the instructions on the feeder as to how much hummingbird food to place into the feeder. You don’t want to over fill the feeder and have the sugar solution dripping on the ground attracting unwanted insects.
Changing The Hummingbird Food
Remember to change the hummingbird food every five days to prevent mold and bacteria growth. Wash the hummingbird feeder with warm soapy water and rinse well during feeding change. Our family of four hummingbirds cycle through a full feeder in under a week.
Where Should You Place your Hummingbird Feeder
You should place your feeder away from other bird feeders and away from other animals like cats.
Placing Your Bird Feeder
You can hang a hummingbird feeder off your back porch away from the wind and rain. You can also invest in bird feeder stands and place the hummingbird feeder near your flower garden and other nectar sources for the bird.
What Time Of Year Is Best For Hummingbird Feeders
This will vary entirely on your climate. Hummingbirds have been known to stay all year round. Where others migrate.
Spring & Summer Bird Feeders
The best time to place your feeders out is Spring and Summer. If you choose to place your feeders out all year please ensure the nectar does not freeze.
Planting A Hummingbird Garden
Hummingbirds are attracted to bright floral gardens. Planting honeysuckles, bleeding hearts, petunias and bee balm will both attract and feed the hummingbirds.
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Updated April 28, 2021
