How To Enjoy Hummingbirds

Introduction

Have you ever seen a hummingbird up close? These tiny, colorful birds are amazing to watch. They zoom around like little helicopters, their wings moving so fast you can barely see them. If you want to attract these magical creatures to your yard, you’re in luck! Making hummingbird food is easy and fun. This guide will show you how to mix the perfect hummingbird nectar. Whether you’re new to feeding birds or have been doing it for years, you’ll find lots of helpful tips here.

Hummingbirds are special birds. They’re the smallest birds in the world, and they can fly backwards! They need to eat a lot to keep up their energy. In nature, they drink nectar from flowers. But you can help them out by making your own nectar at home. It’s like giving them a special treat that will keep them coming back to your yard.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about mixing hummingbird food. We’ll talk about why homemade food is best, what ingredients to use, and how to make it. We’ll also share some tips on how to feed hummingbirds and keep them safe. By the end, you’ll be an expert at making hummingbird nectar!

Why Make Your Own Hummingbird Food?

You might be wondering, “Why should I make my own hummingbird food? Can’t I just buy it at the store?” While you can buy pre-made nectar, making your own is better for several reasons:

1. It’s cheaper: Making your own nectar costs much less than buying it ready-made.

2. You know what’s in it: When you make it yourself, you know exactly what goes into the nectar. There are no mystery ingredients.

3. It’s fresh: Homemade nectar is always fresh. You can make small batches as you need them.

4. It’s safe for the birds: Some store-bought nectars have additives that might not be good for hummingbirds. When you make it yourself, you can be sure it’s safe.

5. You can make as much or as little as you need: If you have lots of hummingbirds, you can make a big batch. If you only have a few visitors, you can make a small amount.

Homemade nectar is also very close to what hummingbirds find in nature. It’s like giving them flower nectar, but even better because it’s always fresh and available. Plus, making your own nectar is a great way to connect with nature and learn more about these fascinating birds.

What You Need to Make Hummingbird Food

Now, here’s the best part: you only need two things to make hummingbird food. Can you guess what they are? That’s right, it’s just:

1. White sugar

2. Water

That’s it! No fancy ingredients, no special equipment. Just plain white sugar and water from your tap. It’s so simple, you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen right now.

But here’s something important to remember: don’t use other types of sugar or sweeteners. Hummingbirds can’t digest these properly, and they might get sick. So, avoid using:

• Brown sugar

• Honey

• Artificial sweeteners (like Splenda or Equal)

• Agave nectar

• Maple syrup

These might seem healthier for humans, but they’re not good for hummingbirds. Stick to plain, white sugar. It’s what works best for these little birds.

Also, you might have heard that you should add red food coloring to attract hummingbirds. But guess what? You don’t need to do this! Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, but they’ll find your feeder without adding color to the nectar. In fact, red dye might even be harmful to hummingbirds. So skip the food coloring and let your red feeder do the job of attracting the birds.

How to Mix Hummingbird Food

Now that you know what you need, let’s make some hummingbird nectar! Follow these easy steps:

Use Songbird Essentials Nectar Aid Self Measuring Pitcherand never measure ingredients again. Make any amount and the ingredients are  measured for you.

1. Measure your ingredients: Use 1 part sugar and 4 parts water. For example, you could use 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Or, for a bigger batch, use 1 cup of sugar and 4 cups of water.

2. Boil the water: Put the water in a pot and bring it to a boil on the stove. Boiling the water helps kill any germs that might be in it.

3. Add the sugar: Once the water is boiling, add your measured sugar to the pot.

4. Stir until the sugar dissolves: Keep stirring the mixture until you can’t see any sugar crystals. The water should look clear.

5. Let it cool: Turn off the heat and let the nectar cool down to room temperature. Never put hot nectar in your feeder!

6. Fill your feeder: Once the nectar is cool, you can pour it into your clean hummingbird feeder.

That’s all there is to it! Your hummingbird nectar is ready to go. Any extra nectar can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Remember, it’s important to use the right ratio of sugar to water. Too much sugar can be bad for the hummingbirds, and too little won’t give them the energy they need. The 1:4 ratio (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) is just right.

Feeding Tips for Happy Hummingbirds

Now that you know how to make hummingbird food, let’s talk about how to use it. Here are some tips to keep your hummingbirds happy and healthy:

1. Clean your feeder regularly: Wash your feeder every few days with hot water. Don’t use soap, as it can leave a residue that might harm the birds. If your feeder is really dirty, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean it.

2. Change the nectar often: Even if the feeder isn’t empty, change the nectar every 2-3 days. In hot weather, you might need to change it every day. If the nectar looks cloudy, it’s definitely time for a change.

3. Don’t overfill: Only fill your feeder with as much nectar as the birds will drink in a couple of days. This way, you’re always giving them fresh nectar.

4. Place the feeder in the shade: Putting your feeder in a shady spot will help keep the nectar fresh longer. It also gives the hummingbirds a safe place to feed. Here is a great guide on the best place to hang your hummingbird feeder.

5. Hang multiple feeders: If you have a lot of hummingbirds visiting, consider hanging more than one feeder. This can help prevent fighting, as hummingbirds can be quite territorial!

6. Keep cats away: If you have outdoor cats, try to place the feeder where the cats can’t reach it. Hummingbirds are vulnerable when they’re feeding.

7. Provide perches: Hummingbirds like to rest near their food source. Leave some small branches or twigs near your feeder for them to perch on.

8. Be patient: If you’re putting out a feeder for the first time, it might take a while for hummingbirds to find it. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see birds right away. They’ll come!

Dealing with Common Problems

Sometimes, you might run into some issues when feeding hummingbirds. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:

!. Ants in the feeder: Ants love sugar water too! To keep them out, you can buy an ant moat. This is a little cup of water that hangs above your feeder. Ants can’t swim across it to get to the nectar. Here’s a comprehensive guide to keeping ants out of your hummingbird nectar.

2. Bees or wasps at the feeder: If bees are a problem, try moving your feeder. Bees can’t see the color red very well, so a plain red feeder might help. There are also feeders designed to keep bees out. Here’s how to keep bees off of your hummingbird feeder.

3. The nectar is turning cloudy: This means bacteria are growing in the nectar. Clean your feeder right away and make fresh nectar. Click on the link for a detailed guide to help youclean your hummingbird feeder, especially when mold starts to grow due to nectar not being changed in time.

4. Nectar is leaking from the feeder: Make sure all the parts of your feeder are tightened properly. If it’s still leaking, you might need a new feeder.

5. Other birds are trying to drink: Some feeders are designed just for hummingbirds. Their long beaks can reach the nectar, but other birds can’t.

Remember, it’s normal to have some trial and error when you start feeding hummingbirds. Don’t get discouraged if things aren’t perfect right away. Keep trying, and soon you’ll be a pro!

Handy guide for when to change the nectar

Letting the nectar ferment encourages mold growth, which makes the cleaning process more difficult. To avoid this, follow the chart below for recommended nectar changes based on the temperature. The hotter it gets, the more frequently you’ll need to replace the nectar.

High temperatures…………Change after

71-75……………………………6 days

76-80……………………………5 days

81-84……………………………4 days

85-88……………………………3 days

89-92……………………………2 days

93+………………………………change daily

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people have about making hummingbird food:

Q: How long does homemade nectar last?
A: If you keep it in the refrigerator, homemade nectar can last up to a week. But it’s best to make smaller batches and use them within 2-3 days. This ensures the nectar is always fresh for your hummingbirds.

Q: Can I use other types of sugar?
A: No, it’s best to stick to plain white sugar. Other types of sugar, like brown sugar or raw sugar, have extra minerals that can be harmful to hummingbirds. White sugar is closest to the natural nectar they get from flowers.

Q: Do I really need to boil the water?
A: Boiling the water helps the sugar dissolve more easily and kills any germs that might be in the water. It’s a good practice to follow. If you can’t boil the water, use very hot tap water instead.

Q: What if I see a hummingbird when it’s cold outside?
A: Some hummingbirds do stay in colder areas year-round. If you see hummingbirds in winter, you can keep your feeder out. Just make sure to bring the feeder inside at night so the nectar doesn’t freeze.

Q: Can I add vitamins or electrolytes to the nectar?
A: It’s best not to add anything to the nectar. Hummingbirds get all the vitamins they need from the insects they eat. The sugar water is just for quick energy.

Q: How can I attract more hummingbirds?
A: Besides feeders, you can plant flowers that hummingbirds like. They love red and orange tubular flowers. You can also provide a water source, like a shallow birdbath or a mister.

Here’s a complete guide to attracting hummingbirds to your yard. It lists plants, vines and shrubs that are in bloom for spring, summer and fall. Your hummingbirds will always have flowers to feed on.

Conclusion

Making hummingbird food is easy and rewarding. With just sugar and water, you can create a treat that brings these beautiful birds right to your yard. Remember to keep your feeder clean and change the nectar often. This will keep the hummingbirds healthy and coming back for more.

Feeding hummingbirds is more than just giving them sugar water. It’s a way to connect with nature and learn about these amazing creatures. As you watch them visit your feeder, you’ll start to notice different types of hummingbirds. You might see them chase each other or hear their tiny chirps. It’s like having your own little nature show right outside your window!

Don’t be surprised if you become a bit obsessed with your new hummingbird friends. Many people find that once they start feeding hummingbirds, there life becomes more geared to nature and they look forward to the new experience and never want to stop!