A Bird Lover’s Guide to the Best Hummingbird Food Recipe
Are you a bird watcher?
Attracting birds to your yard with flowers and food they love is a simple way to ensure you never run out of birds to admire.
Hummingbirds are particularly interesting creatures. They’re colorful, tiny, and they flit around through the air so quickly, watching them is endless entertainment. But you have to know how to attract them to your yard!
One way to do this is with a hummingbird food recipe they’ll love! With a few ingredients you likely already have at your disposal, you’ll be able to mix together something that can energize hummingbirds and keep them coming back!
Here is a homemade hummingbird food recipe you can make yourself!
Making Hummingbird Nectar
Because hummingbirds move quickly, they require a lot of energy. You can help them replenish their energy with a simple recipe for nectar! You will need:
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup refined white sugar
Simply boil your water and add the sugar, stirring until it dissolves!
Using this ratio, you can make as much or as little hummingbird nectar as you need. You can store extra nectar in your refrigerator for up to one week.
The color red attracts hummingbirds, but it’s not recommended to add red dye or food coloring to your recipe because it can be harmful. Instead, try putting your mixture in a hummingbird feeder that has red accents. You can find different bird feeders on Nature Niche.
Once you’ve placed your feeder, change the mixture every five days. If you notice your mixture getting cloudy, replace it with a new batch.
Replacing your mixture will also give you the opportunity to wash your hummingbird feeder to prevent mold growth. This should be done about every five days or more often if your nectar spoils in the heat. You can wash your feeder in a mild detergent and warm water.
When to Feed Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds start to become active in North America in mid-March and stay active into September. If you’re not sure when to expect hummingbirds, you can just place your feeder out as soon as you see a hummingbird that may need a place to rest!
Southern and coastal regions of the United States may have hummingbird activity year-round. Take advantage of this by finding a nice place to display your hummingbird feeder!
Where to Place Your Feeder
Place the hummingbird feeder in an area with partial shade, to help preserve the nectar. You also want to make sure your feeder is at least four feet off of the ground to keep the hummingbirds safe from predators like cats.
Of course, it’s a good idea to place your feeder somewhere visible so you can watch as it attracts hummingbirds!
A Hummingbird Food Recipe Your Birds Will Love
Trying a new hummingbird food recipe might just be the thing you need to attract hummingbirds to your property! With this simple recipe, you’ll be able to feed the hummingbirds all season!
Be sure to check back regularly for more home and garden tips!
