The Best Homemade Hummingbird Food Recipe

Attract beautiful hummingbirds to your backyard or garden with this simple homemade hummingbird food recipe!

 Homemade Hummingbird Food Recipe

I've written before about my adoration for the whimsical creatures that are hummingbirds. Last month, I shared about how to attract them to your own yard in this blog post! They just fascinate me and bring so much joy and wonder to outdoor spaces. I grew up watching their little bodies flit and flutter outside the window at my Grandma's house, and ever since, I've always been delighted when they show up in my garden to feed on flowers or from my hummingbird feeder.

Why Make DIY Hummingbird Food?

My kids always get a kick out of observing these little guys, too. It's just so much fun for the whole family! That's why I want to share the simplest and best homemade hummingbird food with you all today. It's two ingredients and couldn't be easier (or faster) to make, and it's sure to bring a few of these pretty birds to your yard this season.

I will advise right off the bat not to use red dye, which some sources say to mix into the food. Hummingbirds like the bright color red because it reminds them of sweet flowers, but just use a red feeder for the same effect, since dye can be harmful to hummingbirds' health. With that, let's get into the recipe!

I love to make a batch of my favorite granola bar recipe (or a smoothie recipe), taking a snack outside, and spend some time enjoying nature and these highly entertaining little critters. Seriously, they're so entertaining and good for the soul.

Hummingbird Food Ingredients

Homemade hummingbird food only requires two simple ingredients that I guarantee you have at home. To make this hummingbird food recipe you'll need:

• Hot Water
• Granulated sugar

That's it!

How to Make Hummingbird Food

To make hummingbird nectar simply boil the water, remove from the heat, add the sugar, and stir until the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture cool completely, then pour into your hummingbird feeder.

Start keeping an eye on your feeder because once these beautiful birds realize there's sweet sugar water for them to drink they'll start visiting your feeder as often as possible.

Can I use tap water?

You can! Just be sure to boil it before using so that it dissolves the sugar and the boiling will remove any impurities.

What kind of sugar should I use?

You'll want to use granulated white sugar -- or regular table sugar. Do not use raw or unprocessed sugars or honey or corn syrup because those can be harmful to hummingbirds' health.

Should I boil the water?

It's recommended to boil the water to help clean it of any impurities that might be in the water.

How long can I store extra sugar water in the fridge?

Store leftover sugar water in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you notice mold growing in the mixture, toss it and make a fresh batch.

How often should I change the food in the hummingbird feeder?

It's best to change and clean out feeders every other day, but if you miss a time or two, just make sure you're switching out the food and cleaning it out at least twice a week during warm months and once a week in cooler months. This helps to prevent mold growth.

When should I put out my hummingbird feeder?

Hummingbirds migrate with the seasons, so when you put out a hummingbird feeder depends on where you live. For those who lives in southern parts of the States, you can set up feeders from February through November. Across the middle of the country, plan on placing feeders from April through October. Along the northern states in the U.S., put hummingbird feeders out from early May through September.

Where should I set up my hummingbird feeder?

Place your hummingbird feeder in low-activity areas (away from where pets or kids might play often because hummingbirds can be shy and territorial!). Close to trees is best because they like to perch on branches to watch out for predators.

Why shouldn't I add red dye to the hummingbird food?

Foremost, red dye isn't necessary because many feeders themselves are red -- plus, dye is harmful to hummingbirds' health, so be sure to skip it.

What plants attract hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds love flowers that are brightly colored and produce lots of nectar, including bee balm, trumpet honeysuckle, and bleeding hearts. They also really like red tubular flowers.

(Source)

Best Hummingbird Feeders

A hummingbird feeder should be sturdy, have lots of red on it, be easy to wash, fill, and hang AND it should be a good price.  Here are my top 3 hummingbird feeders to buy:

1. Nature's Rhythm Red Antique Glass Bottle Hummingbird Feeder (holds 28 ounces, 5 feeding spots)
2. Juegoal Glass Hummingbird Feeders (holds 26 ounces, 5 feeding spots)
3. Sewanta Hummingbird Feeders, plastic (holds 32 ounces, 10 feeding spots, pack of 2 feeders)

For a complete list of the best hummingbird feeders (glass, plastic, and unique feeders) check out this post. 

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Homemade hummingbird food is inexpensive and a more healthy option than store bought food. Store bought food tends to have harmful chemicals and preservatives that are not healthy for hummingbirds.

How to clean a hummingbird feeder:

It is important to regularly clean your feeder to avoid mold growth and protect the delicate hummingbirds. Every other day is recommended. Rinse your bird feeder with very hot water. It is advised not to use soap because the residue can change the flavor of the nectar.

A deeper cleaning of your hummingbird feeder is in order about once a month. You can soak your feeder in vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. Combine 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water. Take the feeder completely apart and let it soak in a bucket for 1-2 hours.

Where is the best place to hang a Hummingbird feeder?

Hummingbird feeders should be placed in partial sun. If your feeder is in the sun all day it will spoil faster. You want to put the feeder somewhere where you can see it but also somewhere that the hummingbirds feel comfortable. They don’t like to be out in the open, so the partial shade of a tree or bush, or hanging from a canopy or your house is a good location.

What time of day do hummingbirds come to feeders?

Hummingbirds can often be seen feeding on nectar at dawn or dusk.

10 Fun Facts About Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are truly remarkable little creatures. Check out these fun little factoids.

1. A hummingbird’s heart beats about 1,200 beats per minute. Just to compare, on average a human heart beats 60-100 beats per minute.
2. Hummingbirds have very good eyesight but have no sense of smell.
3. The smallest eggs of all birds are laid by hummingbirds. They are only ½ inch long. Their eggs are tinier than a jelly bean!
4. Hummingbirds can fly up to 30 mph.
5. On average, hummingbirds eat 5-7 times an hour. They have a very high metabolism. Hummingbirds consume half of their body weight in sugar over the course of a day.
6. Hummingbirds have fewer feathers than any species of bird. They have around 1,500 feathers. They are small so they don’t require as many feathers, but having fewer feathers also keeps them lighter and more able to fly.
7. Hummingbirds are the only bird that can fly in any direction. They can fly up, down, sideways, forward and backwards.
8. The life span for hummingbirds on average is 3-5 years.
9. The memory of a hummingbird is impeccable. They remember every feeder and flower they have flown to.
10. The females are the nest builders in the hummingbird world. They only lay 2 eggs at a time and their young stay in the nest for about 3 weeks.

Learn about attracting hummingbirds to your garden:

• Little Known Ways to Attract Hummingbirds to your Garden
• What kind of Hummingbird is that? The Most Common Hummingbirds in North America
• The Best Ways to Set Up a Hummingbird Feeder
• The Best Hummingbird Feeders You Will Want to Buy

This easy and quick homemade hummingbird nectar recipe will be sure to bring lots of these magical and exciting birds to your outdoor space!