I am always so happy when I see a hummingbird in my yard. Do you feel that way? Like your garden is so hospitable that it attracts the most delicate little birds–like you’ve somehow arrived in the gardening world? Okay, so maybe it has something to do with providing them with food, but whatever. You can EASILY and CHEAPLY make your own hummingbird nectar.
You’ll need {brace yourself, this is an extensive list}:
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 4 Cups Boiling Water
- A container to store it in the fridge
That it–just mix the sugar to the boiling water, stirring until it dissolves completely. Then, put it in the fridge to cool. When you are ready, pour it in the hummingbird feeder as needed. Easy right?
***Did you know hummingbirds’ heart rates are about 1200 beats per minute? They typically weigh less than a nickel, and they can’t use their feet to walk or hop–only to scoot sideways if they are perched. Crazy.
Want to attract more birds to your garden? Check out my how-to post.
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Connie says
Love hummingbirds!! We have the Costos in the winter here in Molalla, OR. Now they’ve sort of been replaced by the much more aggressive Rufus.
I do use that recipe but I’m usually in a hurry to re-fill the feeder and wash it out so that I use 2 parts boiling water, mix in the 1 part sugar til dissolved, then mix 2 parts cold water to get it at a drinking temperature. That way I can wash and fill the feeder immediately.
Erika says
I do pretty much the same as Connie. We have bunches of different types of hummingbirds coming through AZ. We got a great feeder (the only one we’ve ever tried that hasn’t yet leaked) from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (which also has an extensive hummingbird house).
Lisa says
There is something special about hummingbirds! Takes me back to when I was a little girl and my grandma had a hummingbird feeder out her window. 🙂
Linda M says
I put my feeder out Tuesday and saw the first hummingbird feeding at it this morning. Sure made my day! I had someone tell me years ago that I should have my feeder out by April 20th for this part of the country. That has held pretty true for our area…sometimes I see them a little earlier, sometimes a little later. We are in the country, so we host several…have counted as many as over 30 when their young have hatched and are beginning to feed. What a delight. I also have made my own nectar for years.
Dale Ann says
Hummingbirds are awesome little creatures!
Many years I have had them hover just inches from my nose, as if to say hello! :0)
Dan says
I’ve done it this way (almost) for years. If you want to make it even more effective, add red food coloring—they’re drawn to it as it simulates an attractive flower color.
Mavis says
Thanks Dan! 🙂
Kady says
It’s not a good idea to add any kind of food coloring to hummingbird nectar. I’ve read it can harm their kidneys. Better to get a red feeder. They will be attracted to that.
Shannon says
Red food coloring is not needed, nor is it good for the humming birds. That’s why the feeders have bright colors on them.
Faye says
Red food coloring is damaging to humming birds. Use a red feeder or red flowers in front of it.
Thanks so much for the recipe. I’ve been interested but now am motivated
Aline Chiasson says
I’m from north east of New Brunswick Canada. I love hummingbirds. Someone told me today that I should stop feeding them so they would go away. I have never heard about that. Hope to get an answer.
Heather says
We love our ‘hummers”! We don’t stop feeding them until we haven’t seen any for several. They leave on their own and seem to know when it is time. They will begin using more of the feed the closer they get to leaving…they are preparing for their journey south.
Heather says
That should say several “weeks”
Carolyn says
OMGoodness. You guys, I saw my first hummingbird this morning!! I’m so happy – I recently moved to an apartment and one of the first things I did was get a tall plant hanger and put out my feeder. The amazing part is that I live in a downstairs unit, in the corner, under an overhang; therefore it’s a completely shaded and “sheltered” area. But, my little brave hummers are Here!