How to make your own hummingbird food or hummingbird nectar ...
How to Make Hummingbird Food
by Jane Lake
Bee balm, hollyhock, hibiscus, trumpet honeysuckle, clematis, impatiens, phlox and fuchsias are some of the common flowers that will attract hummingbirds to your garden. But hanging a hummingbird feeder where you can easily see it is probably the best way to observe the hummingbirds in action.
There's no need to buy expensive hummingbird nectar - make your own, from this simple hummingbird syrup recipe.
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
1 part sugar/4 parts water
Boil the water first, then measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water.
Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use.
Do not add food coloring, honey (which ferments), or artificial sweetener, which has no nutritional value.
You will need to clean your feeder about once a week. According to the National Audubon Society, this should be done by rinsing with one part white vinegar to four parts water. If the feeder is dirty, try adding a few grains of dry rice to the vinegar solution to help scrub it clean. Follow the vinegar wash by rinsing three times with clear, warm water before refilling with sugar solution.
The wing beat rate of hummingbirds varies by species, with the common Ruby-Throated Hummingbird averaging a wing beat of about 53 per second, seen by the human eye as a blur. The wings move in a figure eight pattern to produce the gravity-defying hover effect for which hummers are famous. The energy needs of this little bird are amazing - they must feed every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day, consuming up to two thirds of their body weight in food. An important part of the hummingbird diet is sugar, from flower nectar, tree sap and, of course, backyard feeders.
Hummingbirds cannot smell and depend on their eyesight to seek out flowers and food sources. Inexpensive hummingbird feeders are readily available and will attract the busy little birds without the need for coloring the food - the bright red container and easy food source will keep them coming throughout the day. Since hummingbirds are territorial, you may want to hang two feeders - one in the back yard and one in the front, to accomodate as many hummingbirds as you can. Hanging the feeders in a shady spot will discourage fermentation and spoilage of the nectar.
Is there any problem with making the nectar with light brown or brown sugar instead of white sugar? For people, brown sugar is supposed to be healthier, so I wondered if it could be used in the feeders.
The birdman from South Jersey – Gotham City between NYC & DC
Jul 02, 2009 - 20:19
Great to watch them. They are done with nesting time so are out and about and very active. Yes they eat insects too. Make your food with that 4 parts water to one part sugar. Boiling it may be a good thing and allow it to last longer. In direct sun and very hot temps, it does turn to vinegar, so make up a bunch, put in a container in the fridge, I use recycled margarine container marked with an H and only put in enough for maybe 3 or 4 days in the heat what they may consume. My now getting to be grown up from wild about 10 year old Mimosa tree with those pink flowers blooming are quite an attraction for them right now here in early July. These birds do love those blooms and I love the fragrance. Don't buy that expensive red dyed junk in the stores for feed. Make your own. Just plain white sugar and water. As to keeping ants and bees or wasps away, yes, vaseline will work on the string and base. I would not put it around the plastic blooms where the birds dip in to drink as it may hit them, their eyes and feathers. Don't use that stuff unless you have to.
Diana – Kansas
Jul 02, 2009 - 14:46
Does anyone know why my homemade nectar turns cloudy by the second day? I wondered if it was the heat, over 90 deg or so. Is it harmful to the birds?
Kerry – Muskoka, Canada
Jul 01, 2009 - 15:19
To answer some of the questions: I was at a hummingbird station in Monte Verde National Forest in Costa Rica and heard the great debate about hummingbirds and sugar feeders (who knew they eat insects, which they also find in flowers?). Some of the people there were against using feeders, but having studied the birds for years many scientists think there is nothing wrong with feeding them sugar water. They still go out and forage for the other nutrients they need. And at 53 beats a second, who can say they get lazy. My feeder has a bee cage in front of the feeder hole to keep bees and wasps away -- very effective. Should work for squirrels as well.
Reply to Kerry
Barbara Birnbaum – Napa, CA
Jul 01, 2009 - 22:29
I am interested in your bee cage for the feeder. Is it part of a specific feeder. Where can I obtain such a feeder and cage?
Thank you for the info.
Barb Stoffer – Indianapolis
Jul 01, 2009 - 09:50
God designed our bodies, and those of His creatures to react with REAL substances, not artificial. Use real sugar by all means.
Jerry – Washington
Jun 29, 2009 - 16:56
I seen once on how to keep ants out of the feeder, but i forgot what they said to do. Anyone got an answer? Thankyou
Reply to Jerry
bob – NM
Jun 29, 2009 - 17:46
I solved my ant problem several years ago by coating my hanger wires or cords with a product called "Tanglefoot". It is a very sticky, waxy, almost like honey, substance. I found it at a local nursey here in NM.
Bob
Reply to Jerry
angela – carson,va
Jul 02, 2009 - 09:54
Hi I too had this problem! I recently read that you could place a thin coating of vaseline around the "hanger" area that attatches to the pole or wire that hangs from your tree. It also helps if your hummingbird feeder is attatched to a pole to add some vasaline at the base or ground level of your pole. Also if your feeder is attatched to a wire add some to it. i have heard to change the solution in your feeder every week, so that would be a good time to reapply a little swab of vasaline at the appropriate spots!
oTOMMY – aFTON, mn
Jun 29, 2009 - 13:56
Hi I have a problem with my feeder. It emptys quickly. I believe warm air insides expands... forcing out he sugar water..any wAy to relieve the pressure with out draining the whole bottom? Also, can you use just plain sugar and water WITHOUT BOILING IT??? THANKS TOM
Creating a Hummingbird Garden Turn your garden into a haven for hummingbirds. This charmingly illustrated volume has garden plans, plus information on zone hardiness, soil conditions, sun and shade. It's also packed with facts on the lives and habits of hummingbirds.
It's a Hummingbird's Life This children's book about hummingbirds has beautiful watercolor illustrations, plus lots of charming hummingbird lore as the author follows a ruby-throated hummingbird through the seasons. Parents will like the tips on growing a hummingbird garden!
A Hummingbird in My House: The Story of Squeak Heart-warming story of the author's adoption of Squeak, a hummingbird that she rescued from killer frost. Squeak lives in her sunroom until spring, while the author photographs and records what it is like to interact with "a living jewel among the flowers."
Sweet Valley Hummingbird Feeder
For yourself or as a special gift, this Sweet Valley Hummingbird Feeder crafted of hand-blown glass, giving each piece its own unique iridescence. Holds 20 ounces of nectar (sold separately) and includes a graceful metal "S" hook for hanging.
Hummingbird Migration Maps:
Track the migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds in North America; add your own first sighting of the season to the Hummingbird Migration Map.
Ontario Hummingbird Project Maps and tracks hummingbird migration and the hummer population in Ontario, Canada.
Printable Hummingbird Bookmarks: Hummingbird Bookmarks If you're setting up a hummingbird feeder as a gift, why not include one of the free printable hummingbird bookmarks from AllFreePrintables?
How to Make Hummingbird Food
The wing beat rate of hummingbirds varies by species, with the common Ruby-Throated Hummingbird averaging a wing beat of about 53 per second, seen by the human eye as a blur. The wings move in a figure eight pattern to produce the gravity-defying hover effect for which hummers are famous. The energy needs of this little bird are amazing - they must feed every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day, consuming up to two thirds of their body weight in food. An important part of the hummingbird diet is sugar, from flower nectar, tree sap and, of course, backyard feeders. 
Creating a Hummingbird Garden
It's a Hummingbird's Life
A Hummingbird in My House: The Story of Squeak 
Hummingbird Feeder Tubes For Making Your Own Feeders (Pkg of 12)
Sweet Valley Hummingbird Feeder
