How to Make Delicious Food for Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are beautiful, small and energetic birds that can bring a magical touch to your garden. They are known for their incredible hovering ability, lightning-fast speed, and long, thin beaks. But these fascinating creatures need more than just nectar to thrive. Providing them with a varied and nutritious diet is important for their survival, especially during breeding season when they require more energy.

Making food for hummingbirds is easy and inexpensive. You don’t need to purchase fancy packaged food, as most of the ingredients you’ll need can be found in your pantry. This guide will teach you everything you need to know to make healthy and delicious food for hummingbirds that will keep them coming back to your garden year after year.

Creating a Safe and Healthy Food

Hummingbirds have high metabolisms and require a lot of energy to maintain their speedy movements. However, not all foods are safe or healthy for these delicate birds. By following some simple steps, you can ensure that the food you offer your hummingbirds is both nutritious and safe.

1. Use Clean Water

It’s essential to use clean, fresh, and cold water to make your hummingbird food. Dirty or contaminated water can attract bacteria that can cause digestive problems, leading to illness, or even death in hummingbirds.

2. Use White Granulated Sugar

Despite its simplicity, the best ingredient for hummingbird food is white granulated sugar. This is because it most closely resembles the nectar produced by flowers – the natural food of hummingbirds. Avoid using honey, brown sugar, turbinado sugar, or any other sweeteners as they are not suitable for hummingbirds.

3. Mix One Part Sugar with Four Parts Water

The standard mixture for hummingbird food is one part white granulated sugar to four parts water. This concentration of sugar solution is essential because it closely resembles the nectar of flowers that hummingbirds feed on.

4. Boil and Cool the Mixture

Heat the water and add sugar, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then bring the mixture to a quick boil and remove from the heat. Allow it to cool to room temperature before serving. Boiling the solution kills any bacteria in the water and prolongs the storage life of the food.

5. Don’t Add Any Extra Colours or Flavours

While it might be tempting, it is not necessary to add any additional colours or flavours to the mixture. Some red dye food colouring can be harmful to hummingbirds. It’s better to rely on the red colour of your feeder to attract hummingbirds.

6. Use Fresh Food Only

Change the hummingbird food every three to five days, depending on the temperature and weather conditions. Hummingbird nectar ferments quickly in heat, so it’s vital to dump any leftover nectar after five days and sanitize the feeder before refilling it.

7. Choose the Right Feeder

Choose a feeder that is easy to clean and has a bright-red colour, which is a favourite colour of hummingbirds. The feeder’s design should also be easy for the birds to use, with perches or landing pads for resting their tired wings.

8. Position the Feeder Appropriately to Avoid Predators

Choose a spot to hang the feeder that is well above the ground and in an area that is visible to the birds from a distance. Avoid placing the feeder too close to windows, where hummingbirds can fly into the glass, causing injury or death.

9. Fill the Feeder Until Full

Fill the feeder to its maximum capacity, as hummingbirds consume up to half of their body weight in nectar each day. This ensures that the hummingbirds can consume as much nectar as they need and avoids the need for frequent refills.

10. Keep Cats and Other Predators Away

It’s essential to keep cats and other predators away from hummingbirds. While you may be a cat lover, keep in mind that cats are natural predators of birds. To prevent them from attacking hummingbirds, make sure your feeder is placed high above the ground, away from trees or bushes that cats can climb or hide under.

By following these simple steps, you can create a safe and healthy food source for your hummingbird friends, ensuring that they continue to visit your garden and bring joy to your life.

What to Feed Hummingbirds: Nectar and More!

As we mentioned in the first section, nectar is the primary food for hummingbirds. But this doesn’t mean that they can only survive on nectar alone. In fact, hummingbirds require a diverse diet that includes not only nectar, but also insects and spiders.

Here are some food ideas to incorporate into your hummingbird feeder, or to place near your garden to attract hummingbirds.

1. Nectar

As mentioned, nectar is the most important part of any hummingbird’s diet. You can either purchase nectar at any pet store or make homemade nectar by mixing one part sugar with four parts water. Make sure to boil the solution to rid of any bacteria before pouring it into your feeder.

2. Insects

Hummingbirds need protein in addition to nectar. They obtain this protein by consuming small insects such as fruit flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. You can attract insects to your garden by planting flowers that serve as a food source for them.

3. Spiders

While spiders may seem like a rather unappetizing food source, hummingbirds love to eat them. Spiders are a great source of protein and can be found around your garden or feeder.

4. Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are another great source of protein for hummingbirds. You can attract fruit flies by placing a piece of fruit such as a banana peel near your feeder.

5. Spider Mites

Spider mites are tiny insects that can often be found in gardens. These creatures are a great source of protein for hummingbirds and can be attracted by planting certain flowers such as marigolds or nasturtiums.

6. Aphids

Similar to spider mites, aphids are tiny insects that can be found in gardens. These insects serve as a great source of protein for hummingbirds and can be attracted by planting certain flowers such as fennels or dill.

7. Ants

Ants may seem like more of a nuisance than a food source, but hummingbirds can often be seen consuming them. Ants serve as a great source of protein for hummingbirds and can be attracted by placing a small piece of citrus fruit near your feeder.

8. Fruits

While nectar is the primary food source for hummingbirds, they also enjoy eating fruits such as blueberries and sliced oranges. You can place these fruits near your feeder to attract hummingbirds.

9. Jelly

Hummingbirds love jelly! You can serve them grape jelly by placing it in a dish near your feeder.

10. Peanut Butter

Finally, peanut butter is another great food source for hummingbirds. You can spread a small amount on a twig or branch near your feeder for them to enjoy.

Remember to always clean your feeder and replace any food sources every few days to prevent bacteria growth. Also, make sure to avoid using any artificial sweeteners, honey, or brown sugar in nectar as these can be harmful to hummingbirds. With these food ideas and tips, you’ll have the pleasure of seeing these unique creatures flutter around your backyard in no time!

What Should You Feed Hummingbirds?

When it comes to preparing food for hummingbirds, it’s essential to understand that they have unique dietary needs. Hummingbirds are known to drink nectar, which provides them with the majority of their energy. However, nectar alone is not enough to fulfill all their nutritional requirements. Here’s what to consider when making food for hummingbirds:

1. Nectar
Nectar makes up the majority of a hummingbird’s diet. To make nectar at home, mix one part white granulated sugar with four parts boiling water, then let it cool before filling up your feeders. You should never use honey or artificial sweeteners in your nectar, as it can lead to fungal growth that can harm the birds.

2. Insects
Insects, especially small ones like fruit flies and gnats, are a vital source of protein for hummingbirds. You can attract insects by planting native flowers and avoiding pesticides. You can also offer mealworms at hummingbird feeders, but make sure they are fresh and still wriggling.

3. Pollen
Hummingbirds also consume pollen, which is rich in essential nutrients. You can attract hummingbirds to backyard feeders by planting a variety of flowers, including native wildflowers like bee balm, salvia, and cardinal flower.

4. Tree Sap
Tree sap is a natural source of sucrose and amino acids, making it a tasty and nutritious treat for hummingbirds. You can offer sap by inserting a small dowel or stick into a tree trunk that has a sap flow. However, it should be offered in moderation, as too much tree sap can lead to health issues in hummingbirds.

5. Avoid Red Dye
Finally, it’s important to avoid using red dye in your hummingbird feeder, as it can be harmful to the birds. Instead, choose a feeder with a red base or hang a red ribbon near the feeder to attract hummingbirds naturally.

By offering a variety of foods that meet their nutritional needs, you can attract more hummingbirds to your backyard and provide them with the fuel they need to thrive. Remember to keep your feeder clean and change the nectar frequently, especially during hot weather, to prevent spoilage and keep the birds healthy.

Happy Hummingbird Feeding!

So, now you know how to make food for hummingbirds and keep them coming to your garden. Remember that these tiny birds bring life with their majestic beauty and energy. They are worth the effort to care for them. Thank you for reading! We hope you try these tips and recipes and enjoy the company of these lovely creatures. Please visit us again soon for more tips and stories about living in harmony with nature. Have a blissful day!