Hummingbird Food Recipe

February is National Bird Feeding month! Offering diverse bird seeds and food is a great way to attract your local birds. Learn how to make DIY hummingbird nectar that’s safe for birds with this hummingbird food nectar recipe made with an easy granulated sugar solution.

There’s something truly magical about watching birds in the wild, particularly when they’re as stunning as hummingbirds. So-called because their tiny wings move so fast that they make a humming noise, these brightly colored little birds are only 3-4″ in length. They’re also the only birds that can fly backward!

Hummingbirds feed on the nectar of flowers – the sweet, sugary liquid that flowers produce to entice pollinators to explore them. They’re especially attracted to vibrantly colored flowers that have a deep, tubular shape, such as foxgloves, petunias, hollyhocks, columbines, and impatiens. If you don’t have a yard that contains these flowers or want some additional way of attracting hummingbirds, a hummingbird food recipe could be the perfect solution.

Although the ingredients in a hummingbird food recipe are quite simple, it’s important to make sure they’re exactly right to get the best results. A feeding container that’s customized to meet the needs of hummingbirds is also important, as well as correct siting so that the birds can feed safely. Here we take a look at some of the commonly asked questions about feeding hummingbirds, giving you the information you need to provide a perfect dining area for these adorable, pocket-sized birds.

What do Hummingbirds Eat? 

With their long beaks, it is no surprise that hummingbirds’ diets consist mainly of flower nectar. They also eat small insects like aphids and mosquitos. 

Hummingbirds burn a lot of energy and eat half their body weight in nectar and bugs. They often visit over 1,000 flowers every day! 

While they can get enough naturally, we can help give them a boost with homemade hummingbird food. 

Flowers to Attract Hummingbirds 

If you’re looking to attract hummingbirds, there are few things you can do other than making this DIY hummingbird food recipe. Our garden has several types of flowers that hummingbirds love, particularly those of the sage variety, which is native to California, where we live.

Hummingbirds find their food by looking for brightly colored flowers. The most attractive to hummingbirds are brightly colored, tubular flowers, especially red, orange, and purple. 

Hummingbirds also love water, so you might notice them near fountains. 

• Beebalm 
• Butterfly bush 
• Lupines 
• Hollyhocks 
• Foxglove
• Impatiens 
• Iris 
• Petunias 
• Lily
• Scarlet sage 
• Hummingbird Sage 
• Scarlet trumpet honeysuckle 
• Verbena 

How to Make Hummingbird Food 

Making hummingbird food is easy! All you need is a solution of 4 parts water and 1 part sugar. 

There are some important things to keep in mind when making your hummingbird food recipe so please read on for instructions that will keep your hummingbirds healthy. 

What Type of Sugar Should I use for DIY Hummingbird Nectar?

Ordinary, white, granulated sugar is recommended to make hummingbird food. It’s pure sugar, without any additives or preservatives.

Using maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, or other sweetening agents isn’t recommended, as there’s a risk they may contain additional ingredients that could be harmful to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, or Aspartame.

While white sugar might not sound healthy for humans, it’s the healthiest homemade hummingbird food, so please don’t make any substitutions. 

What Type of Water Should I use for Hummingbird Food?

Tap water is fine to use in hummingbird food, provided it doesn’t contain a high concentration of chemicals – if your water often has a chlorine tang to it, for example, it’s not going to be suitable for hummingbirds. Still, bottled water works well. The water should be boiled before it’s used to dissolve the sugar. Boiling water is easier to dissolve the sugar in, in comparison with cooler water.

Should I use red dye?

No! Many people are tempted to use red dye in their hummingbird food because the birds are naturally attracted to the color red (it’s why they prefer to feed from colorful blooms). Unfortunately, red dye, even food coloring, contains ingredients that are harmful to hummingbirds.

If you make the hummingbird food correctly, using the recipe below, and use a suitable feeder that’s located favorably, you’re almost certain to attract hummingbirds. 

Rather than using red-dyed hummingbird food, choose a feeder with bright colors or attach a red sticker to the feeder. 

What’s the Best Type of Feeder to use?

A good hummingbird feeder is one that allows the hummingbirds to feed using natural behavior. For this reason, the feeders usually have a series of deep, narrow tubes, with hummingbird food at the bottom of each tube. This approximates the setup in the wild, where hummingbirds feed on the nectar found at the bottom of long-necked, tubular flowers. 

The hummingbird food also needs to be enclosed, so that it doesn’t evaporate or get eaten by other animals.

It’s possible to buy a readymade hummingbird feeder or make one of your own. As long as the feeder has suitable access points, and is shaped so that it’s stable, it should work well.

Where Should my Feeder be Sited?

Positioning your feeder favorably will increase your chances of being visited by a good number of delightful hummingbirds. For best results, hang the feeder in dappled sunlight – if the location is too shady, the birds won’t see the feeder; too bright, and the hummingbird food will spoil quickly. Make sure it’s located safely – ideally at height and with no easy way for cats or other predators to access it. Near a vegetable garden is a great idea. 

Consider hanging the feeder away from paths or frequented routes – the feeders can be easily tipped accidentally. Keep away from windows to prevent collisions. 

Feeders need to be sited so that you can see them (and the hummingbirds) from your window or porch. Make sure they’re not too far away – hummingbirds are minute, so you won’t be able to spot their beautiful details if you’re more than a few feet away. If you’re concerned about the birds flying into your window, stick on a few transfer shapes (decals) that will ensure they see there’s something there.

Finally, ensure the feeder is located so that you can clean it and change the hummingbird food regularly. 

How do I Clean my Feeder?

The feeder should be cleaned every time you change the hummingbird food in it. We advise against using detergent, and definitely advise against harsh chemicals – any residue could harm the birds. In most cases, rinsing thoroughly with hot water, adding a splash of white vinegar if needed, is usually enough to ensure that the feeder is in pristine condition, ready to be refilled with fresh hummingbird food.

How Often Should I Fill the Feeder?

As a general rule, change the food in your feeder once a week during the cooler months, and twice a week when it’s warmer. Remember to clean the feeder every time that you change the food. If the birds empty your feeder more quickly, you can obviously refill it more frequently – remember to clean it every time the food is changed.

What’s the Best Time of day to Spot Hummingbirds?

Once you’ve made your hummingbird food and filled your feeder, it’s time to sit back and watch. Hummingbirds eat all day long, from dawn to dusk. They burn so much energy all day that they must consume at least half their body weight in food each day!

Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that are a joy to watch. A low-cost family activity, watching hummingbirds is also a great way to engage kids with nature. Take a look here and here to find out more about hummingbirds, as well as details of how else you can support and encourage wildlife in your backyard.