Josh's Frogs
DIY Hummingbird Nectar
Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating birds to watch, and feeding to bring them closer to a viewing area is a great way to see them in action. With their iridescent feathers and incredibly fast wing beat, spotting a Hummingbird for the first time of the season can bring both excitement and the urge to rush to the store to buy a box of ready-made nectar.Before you run to the store, stop and check your kitchen!
Hummingbird nectar is easy to make with only two ingredients.
Hummingbirds have an incredibly fast metabolism and need to feed often. Their wings beat between 70-80 times per second and that uses a lot of energy. They need to feed every 10-15 minutes and if they don’t, the can starve to death in just one hour.
The constant search for food is a matter of survival for Hummingbirds, and they need to consume double their body weight daily just to survive. Providing a reliable source of food will keep them coming to feeders all season long and help them in developed areas where the natural plants they rely on are no longer available.
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
- 1 cup white refined sugar
- 4 cups water
- Add the sugar and water to a pot.
- Heat water while stirring with a whisk until all sugar has dissolved.
- Bring to a boil, then shut off the heat and move to a cool burner.
- Allow to cool down to room temperature before using.
- Store extra nectar in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Some things to keep in mind
- Be sure you bring the water to a boil to kill any bacteria or mold that may be present.
- Never use honey, brown sugar, organic sugar or artificial sweeteners. These are all dangerous to Hummingbirds and in some cases, deadly. Use only white refined sugar.
- Don’t add red food coloring. It’s not necessary and may even be bad for Hummingbirds. They will be attracted the red color of the feeder, so don’t fret. They’ll find the nectar.
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