Learn how to create your own homemade hummingbird nectar or food. Hummingbird nectar is extremely easy to make at home and the best part is that you probably have the ingredients in your pantry. Also see homemade hummingbird feeders.

Hummingbirds are one of the smallest birds in the world and they can flap their tiny wings at up to 90 beats a second. With their calories burning at such a fast speed – they need to consume a lot of food to sustain their flying momentum. Hummingbirds consume bugs and nectar to satisfy their fast and prompt metabolism. These birds feed every 10 to 15 minutes. They typically visit 1,000 to 2,000 flowers a day for nectar. Ready to help feed some hungry hummingbirds? If so, head to your kitchen and follow these easy steps to make hummingbird nectar.

Homemade Hummingbird Nectar Ingredients

You only need two ingredients to make hummingbird food.

• 1/4 cup of refined white sugar
• 1 cup of boiling water

Use white sugar to make this solution as honey can promote dangerous fungal growth. Also, don’t use organic, raw or natural sugars as their iron levels can be extremely detrimental to the hummingbirds. Refined or processed white sugar is pure sucrose, which is good for the hummingbirds.

Also, remember not to use red food coloring. While the store-bought hummingbird food might be colored, it’s best for you to avoid adding any coloring. The red food coloring contains chemicals that could be dangerous for the consumption of the birds.

Steps to Making Homemade Hummingbird Food

1. First, boil a cup of water.
2. Mix 1/4 cup of white refined sugar in boiling water until it dissolves.
3. Leave the mixture out to cool for a while.
4. Fill the bird feeder with the mixture.

Hang the feeder at a place that is accessible by the hummingbirds. The best part about this recipe is that you can make it within a few minutes.

Tips for Feeding Hummingbirds

There are a variety of hummingbird feeders out there, ranging from basic to decorative. Tray feeders are very easy to fill up and to clean as well. People usually wonder whether they should buy a big feeder or a small one. Buying a large feeder doesn’t necessarily mean that a lot of birds will be attracted to it. In case your house is located in an area where you can find a lot of hummingbirds, you can use a large feeder that can support more homemade hummingbird nectar. Choose a feeder that can hold the amount of nectar that the hummingbirds can consume within 3 to 5 days. It the birds do not consume the nectar within this time period, it should be replaced.

Hummingbirds are tiny creatures with a very fast metabolism. They require high levels of nectar that is often found in red flowers. For this reason, some people feel that the nectar they offer them should be red too. However, do not add food coloring to the homemade nectar recipe at any cost. Even though this practice helps to attract hummingbirds, food coloring can damage their health.

Natural vs Artificial Nectar Composition

Hummingbirds are nectarivores. They only feed on dilute solutions of sugar with limited amounts of amino acids and electrolytes. Birds can easily digest flower nectar and convert it into energy. The basic ingredient found in flower nectar is sucrose. You will also find the main ingredient in white sugar is sucrose. Hence, this homemade DIY sugar water for hummingbirds can easily mimic flower nectarines.

In Conclusion

The bottom line is that you can help these little hardworking creatures get their necessary nutrients by offering them their favorite post-workout food – nectar. You can make this sweet treat by following a few easy steps and grabbing simple ingredients available in your kitchen. Fill your bird feeder with this homemade hummingbird nectar and watch these cute little birds feed and flitter around all day.

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