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:
- Nature's Rhythm Red Antique Glass Bottle Hummingbird Feeder (holds 28 ounces, 5 feeding spots)
- Juegoal Glass Hummingbird Feeders (holds 26 ounces, 5 feeding spots)
- Sewanta Hummingbird Feeders, plastic (holds 32 ounces, 10 feeding spots, pack of 2 feeders)
The Best Homemade Hummingbird Food
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Description
Attract beautiful hummingbirds to your backyard or garden with this simple homemade hummingbird food recipe!
Ingredients
- 4 cups very hot tap water
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
Instructions
- Boil your water on the stove for 1 minute.
- Remove the water from the stove and stir in the sugar. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Allow the mixture to come to room temperature.
- Fill your humming bird feeder as directed on individual instructions.
- Store leftover sugar water in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- If there is noticeable signs of mold on your sugar water before 2 weeks, discard and make a fresh batch.
- Please do NOT use red dye. Red dye is harmful to hummingbirds. Use a red feeder to attract them instead of dyeing their food.
- Don't use raw or natural sugars -- they contain too much iron that can hurt hummingbirds.
- Do not use honey or corn syrup.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Hobby Farm
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: Hummingbird
Keywords: hummingbird food, hummingbirds, hummingbird food recipe, attracting hummingbirds, hummingbird nectar,
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.
- 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.
- Hummingbirds have very good eyesight but have no sense of smell.
- The smallest eggs of all birds are laid by hummingbirds. They are only ½ inch long. Their eggs are tinier than a jelly bean!
- Hummingbirds can fly up to 30 mph.
- 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.
- 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.
- Hummingbirds are the only bird that can fly in any direction. They can fly up, down, sideways, forward and backwards.
- The life span for hummingbirds on average is 3-5 years.
- The memory of a hummingbird is impeccable. They remember every feeder and flower they have flown to.
- 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!
Thomas SunHawk
Why is it that there are so many of “The Best” or “Old Fashion” or whatever name someone wants to give it recipes for making hummingbird nectar?
They are all the same 1 part sugar and 4 parts water. I cup sugar 4 cups water!
No food coloring, etc. etc. etc. ???
Thanx for your take on this tried and true formula. I just don’t understand all the different names.
Lorraine
Love the recipe and the site! Thanks for all the information. I know this is not a paid site, so thanks for putting in the time and ignore all the rude comments. I think your awesome!
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Cheryl
I love your site - I also loved the facts about the h birds too. So much cool to read on here .... the recipe & the hints. Thank you !!
Kristoffir
Boiling water does not remove impurities. At all. You'd have to collect steam water via steam distillation to remove impurities. Boiling is not necessary at all, and it actually takes longer than simply stirring, since sugar will dissolve at room temperature. Hummingbirds, like all birds and animals, drink scummy, dirty, stagnant water wherever they can find it ponded, and none of it is 'purified', nor is it changed out every two days. Unboiled tapwater is already a luxury, and far better than any water they find in the wild. No need to complicate a simple process.
Elaine
I don’t do all that. I want to hurry and get it done and in the feeder. I put one part water and the sugar and boil till dissolved. Then I add the rest of the water , But cold or ice water. Done .
Donna B
I make a lot of hummy food, put a small amount in the feeder so not much goes bad, and save some in the fridge. That way I can clean the feeder and put more food in it without the hassle of cooking it up and waiting for it to cool.
Angie Keatts
How do I keep the bees away from the feeder?
Carol
Last year I had a swarm of honey bees swarm my house. A bee keeper told me to purchase BEE PROOF feeders for the hummingbirds, fill old feeder with 3 cups of sugar to 4 cups water mix and slowly move the feeder away from house. The bee proof feeders have smaller holes and longer solid tube to reach their food. Worked great so now I feed bees away from the house and hummingbirds feed from the new feeders. Great investment that allows food to both species. Enjoy your hummers and help save our bees!
Rosalind Brown
Living in Saudi Arabia for three years we had well water to drink.
A new airport was being built along with the the community facilities for people who were working there.The drilling for the ancient ( million plus)water was then distributed for the community though their water plant. It was the best tasting water I have ever had!!
Jackie
I believe the glass container is red not the liquid.
Amanda King
I find the site very useful and helpful. I really appreciate the recipe. Thanks.
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Tom
I don't understand. You state several times: No red sugar water. But you show a picture of the he reservoir filled with red liquid. Otherwise, a good article.
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Leslie
The glass jar is red....hope that helps clear things up
Carol
I have a question. If I have made too much homemade humming bird food and put my excess food in the fridge. Should I let it warm up before I put it into the feeder? Thank you for your help.
Melissa
I do! I don't let it sit too long but I use it within a week or so and it's just fine. Mine warms up just fine in the feeder after a few minutes in the sun.
Glenn
Good basic info on the making the sugar water and good tips on plants to attract hummingbirds, placement of feeder and best available hummingbird feeders.
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Leah
This recipe attracted Hummingbirds and Baltimore orioles. I always enjoy this time of year.
Lisa
Love that you took the time to give good information so people could understand the importance of why not to use certain sugars and and why it is important to boil the water I appreciate your information you are a good person I appreciate your time hoping that the hummingbirds will come every day low setting on the porch and watching them God bless 💜
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ann
why cant you just give the recipe? you have to talk and talk and then make me dowload for the stupid recipe
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Melissa
Feel free to use the "jump to recipe" button at the top of the page, I don't ask for a download for the recipe it's after helpful information about hummingbirds which is fitting for an article on how to feed them...
Gina
Why can't you just be a kind and patient human? You have to complain and complain and you sound like a miserable person.
Vera
So disrespectful! Shame on you.
Eric
Ann, don't be a jerk...
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Jamie Lile
I loved your site 😍thank you
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Kelly
Thank you!! Just what I was looking for in a safe HB food recipe. I saw and used the JUMP TO RECIPE button which some visitors missed. I appreciate the cleaning advice too.
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Michelle
You're dumb and just want to make her feel bad!
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Guy
And you are a clown
Brenda
? PART WATER
? PART SUGAR
YOU DID NOT PUT THAT IN. I LOOKED TWICE. SORRY IF I MISSED IT. TWICE
Melissa
It's written right there, 4 cups water 1 cup sugar, you missed it... twice?
JD
I missed it too you would think they would put the recipe in the very beginning of the article not way down it looked like an advertisement almost
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Charlotte
I love the hummingbird and want thank you for your site and that you are encouraging your children to care about nature.
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Annoyed.
Had to scroll for FOREVER before actually finding the recipe and then EVEN MORE before finding any actual measurements for the ingredients. Super annoyed.
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Melissa
There's a "jump to recipe" button right at the top of the page that you can hit that will pop you right down to the recipe.
Guy
Simple Web Site navigation...literally if you read the page, it says jump to reciepe.
SueZQ
I’m so sorry there are such awful people in this world who think it is their right to complain about everything. Such negativity. But these are the people we need to “kill with kindness” to try to make them change… negativity upon negativity does not create positivity.
Thank you for this wonderful page❤️
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