![]() The sugar doesn’t have to be red for hummingbirds to find it, and many wildlife and bird specialists feel that red coloring might be harmful to the hummer’s health. There is no need to add supplemental vitamins or red food coloring, either. Increase or decrease the quantities as desired, but make sure you stick to the 1:4 ratio. The correct ratio of sugar to water is 1:4, or ¼ cup of sugar to 1 cup of hot water. Use regular refined white sugar, not honey, artificial sweeteners, brown sugar, or other sugar products, all of which can be difficult for hummingbirds to digest. ![]() Once you have your hot water, it’s time to add sugar. Here’s a simple recipe and a step-by-step guide for how to make hummingbird food. It’s very easy and inexpensive to mix up a batch yourself, particularly if you have a lot of visitors draining your feeders each day. Luckily, there’s no need to buy premade hummingbird food. If you don’t have a garden or you just want to admire your feathered visitors up close, consider installing a hummingbird feeder filled with the high-calorie, sugary nectar these birds need to survive. Some hummingbird favorites include lantana, bee balm, foxglove, salvias, lupine, flowering tobacco, petunias, and zinnias. The most effective way to draw these nectar-hungry birds to your yard is by planting the flowers they naturally seek out, which are typically tubular-shaped blooms in bright red, pink, purple, or orange. To match that, you’d need to consume roughly 150,000 calories each day. To maintain their enormous need for energy, the average hummingbird consumes between 1.5 and 8 times its body weight each day in sugar. Their incredibly fast metabolism is the highest of any animal on earth: A hummingbird’s heart can beat an astounding 1,200 times per minute, their wings can flap over 50 times per second (which is what creates the buzzing or humming sound that gives these birds their common name), they reach speeds of 25 to 30 mph in flight, and their long tongues can dip in and out of a flower or feeder 18 times per second. If you see any signs of spoilage, such as mold or discoloration, then you should discard it.Although hummingbirds do eat tiny insects and spiders, and also feast on sap and pollen, it’s nectar that makes up the bulk of their diet. However, it is important to keep an eye on it and check it regularly. Sugar water can last in the fridge for quite some time. And while you might see recipes that call for red food coloring, there’s really no need – the birds are attracted to the sweetness of the nectar, not the color. Just be sure not to use honey or artificial sweeteners, as these can be harmful to hummingbirds. You can also use a little less sugar and add a drop or two of lemon juice to help preserve the mixture. That means for every one part sugar, you’ll need four parts water. If you want to make your own hummingbird food, the ratio of sugar to water is typically 1:4. Once a month, soak the feeder in a vinegar solution (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) for 30 minutes to help remove any stubborn residue.Ĭredit: What is the Ratio of Sugar to Water for Hummingbird Food ![]() Hummingbirds are attracted to fresh, clean sugar water, so be sure to keep their feeders clean too! Wash them with warm, soapy water and rinse well. You’ll know it’s time to change the sugar water when it starts to turn cloudy or discolored. If it’s hot outside, you may need to change it more often. If you’re wondering how often to change your hummingbird sugar water, the answer is every 3-5 days. How Often Should You Change Hummingbird Sugar Water? ![]() This ensures that the bees have access to fresh, clean water and helps prevent disease. If you’re using sugar water to feed bees, the rule of thumb is to change it every two weeks. Related: How Many Calories in a Slice of Pound Cake? How Often Do You Change Sugar Water?
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