How to Make Hummingbird Food (Nectar) Recipe
Hanging a hummingbird feeder is an excellent way to help support your local hummingbird population, and enjoy their presence in your yard. Come learn how to make hummingbird food (aka nectar) with this simple homemade hummingbird food recipe – without boiling!
It’s very easy and inexpensive to make your own hummingbird nectar. It’s also better for the birds than buying pre-made bottled nectar, which often contains chemical dyes and preservatives. Yet it’s important to follow the right steps so we don’t accidentally make our hummingbird friends sick!
This post will cover best practices to make homemade hummingbird food, including the right sugar water ratio, the best kind of sugar to use, what sugar to avoid, and other frequently asked questions. Then be sure to learn how to clean a hummingbird feeder here.
Looking for the best hummingbird feeders? I personally love this blue glass feeder and this adorable cactus hummingbird feeder. Both are beautiful, durable, and easy to clean! Explore all of my favorite gifts for bird lovers here.
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What Do Hummingbirds Eat?
Hummingbirds need to consume a significant amount of food each day to support their incredible metabolism and energy levels. Their primary food source is nectar from flowers, which fuels them with the carbohydrates they need. Hummingbirds also occasionally dine on small flying insects, spiders, sap, and pollen – which gives them a little protein too!
Homemade Hummingbird Nectar vs Flowers
The sugar in homemade hummingbird food offers a similar boost of carbohydrates as natural flower nectar. So, hanging a hummingbird feeder is a great way to augment (not replace) their natural food supply. Feeders provide a valuable food source for hummingbirds in the off season when flowers aren’t in bloom, especially for migrating birds in search of a place to refuel.
However, nothing beats the real deal! Please consider planting plenty of flowers that attract hummingbirds too, focusing on native nectar-rich flowers that bloom in different times of year. If you want to take it a step further, look into turning your yard into a certified wildlife habitat like ours!
RELATED: If you’re a bird nerd like me, come learn how to attract birds to your yard or garden (beyond hummingbirds) with bird houses, water features, shelter, feeders and more.
Hummingbird Food Recipe
Key Ingredients
- Pure white cane sugar. Do NOT use brown sugar, raw cane sugar, or organic sugar to make hummingbird food. Sugar that is not 100% white refined sugar may contain a small amount of molasses, which gives it a tan or brown tint. Molasses is rich in iron, and iron can be toxic to hummingbirds even in small doses! Do not use honey, agave syrup, or artificial sweeteners to make homemade hummingbird food either. Beet sugar is the only other suitable replacement for white cane sugar.
- Clean fresh water. Un-chlorinated water, filtered water, well water, or spring water is ideal, but most city tap water is fine to use as well.
- NO red food dye or preservatives! The colorful fake flowers that adorn hummingbird feeders is what get their attention. Therefore, you do not need to add red dye or other coloring to homemade hummingbird food. Rather, those unnatural substances can be harmful to the birds.
Sugar Water Ratio
The standard hummingbird food recipe sugar-to-water ratio is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water (a 1:4 ratio) which mimics the sugar present in flowers. For example, 1 cup of sugar and 4 cups of water, ½ cup sugar and 2 cups water, or what we often make – just a ¼ cup sugar to 1 cup water.
It is important to get the right balance because too much or too little sugar can be unhealthy, dehydrating, or otherwise harmful to the hummingbirds.
During the winter or cold weather, it is okay to to increase the sugar-to-water ratio to 1:3, or 1 part sugar to 3 parts water (but no more). This gives hummers some extra energy when they need help most. The slightly sweeter nectar also has a lower freezing point, preventing it from freezing as easily.
Instructions to Make Hummingbird Food
- Fully dissolve 1 part plain white sugar in 4 parts hot water (e.g. 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water) and stir until completely combined. You can do this by lightly heating a pot of sugar water on the stove, or by heating water in a tea kettle and then mixing it with sugar in a heat-safe bowl or glass. If your water gets really hot straight out of the faucet, you can simply mix hot tap water and sugar right in jar, glass, or bowl.
- Allow the nectar to cool down to lukewarm or room temperature before adding it to your favorite hummingbird feeder.
- Hang the feeder outside, and have fun watching your hummer friends enjoy their food!
- Store any extra leftover hummingbird food in the refrigerator and use within two weeks.
- Keep in mind that it’s necessary to change and clean feeders at least weekly, and even more often during warm conditions. Therefore, it’s best to make hummingbird food in small batches (and don’t completely fill large feeders) to help reduce waste.
- Do not “top off” feeders with fresh nectar without emptying and cleaning them out first! If the food becomes moldy, cloudy, or otherwise grimy, immediately take down and clean the feeder. Moldy or contaminated feeders can be detrimental to their health. See more important maintenance tips and FAQ below.
No. Most experts say that it is not necessary to boil homemade hummingbird food. The most important thing is that the sugar dissolves completely in the water, so if you don’t boil it, simply be sure the water is hot enough to melt the sugar, and shake or stir the mixture thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
During moderate weather, it’s best to change hummingbird food at least weekly. Every four to five days is ideal. During hot conditions (over 90F) feeders should be cleaned even more often, every two to three days. Failing to empty and clean feeders regularly can be very harmful to (or even kill) hummingbirds.
At the time of each weekly nectar refill (or more often), clean the hummingbird feeder by taking it apart, scrub all the nooks and crannies with a small brush, and rinse well with very hot water. Then at least monthly, soak and sanitize the feeder in either dilute bleach water or vinegar water. To use vinegar, combine 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water in a tub or bucket and allow the feeder to soak for at least an hour. Or, mix 1/4 cup household bleach per gallon of water and soak for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and air dry before refilling.
It’s best to hang hummingbird feeders at least 4 to 5 feet above the ground, out of the reach of cats and other predators. Choose a shady location if possible, since homemade hummingbird food spoils more quickly in the sun and heat. Do not hang feeders near a known nest. Finally, put it somewhere you can see to enjoy!
And that’s how to make homemade hummingbird food.
Thank you for your interest in supporting hummingbirds and local wildlife! I hope you’ll have plenty of magnificent little friends buzzing around your yard in no time. Fun fact: Did you know that hummingbirds can remember every flower they visit, and recognize the humans that tend to their feeders? So don’t be surprised if you’re met with a little sass if you don’t keep up with filling and cleaning them! Plus, gratitude when you do.
If you enjoyed this easy hummingbird food recipe, please spread the love and leave a review below!
Don’t miss these related articles:
- All About Monarchs: How to Attract, Raise & Release Monarch Butterflies
- Top 23 Plants for Pollinators: Attract Bees, Butterflies & Hummingbirds to Your Garden
- The Top 7 Easy Annual Companion Flowers to Grow From Seed
- 10 Ways to Help Pollinators: Save Bees, Butterflies & Beyond
Hummingbird Food (Nectar) Recipe
Equipment
- Small pot or tea kettle
- Hummingbird feeder
Ingredients
- 1 cup water, un-chlorinated and filtered if possible
- 1/4 cup refined white sugar* (do not substitute with other sugars or sweeteners, see notes below)
Instructions
- Completely dissolve 1 part sugar in 4 parts hot water. Scale up or down as needed for your feeder(s). For example, use 1 cup of sugar and 4 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 cups water, or 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water. During winter: increase the sweetness to 1 part sugar to only 3 parts water (1/3 cup sugar and 1 cup water), but no more sweet than that!
- You can either lightly heat a pot of sugar water on the stove, or by heat water in a tea kettle and then mix it with the sugar in a heat-safe bowl or glass. If your water gets really hot straight out of the tap, you can simply mix hot water and sugar right in jar, glass, or bowl. You do NOT need to boil homemade hummingbird food, but do make sure the sugar completely dissolves.
- Allow the sugar water to cool down to lukewarm or room temperature before adding it to your hummingbird feeder.
- Hang the feeder outside in a shady location at least 4 feet above the ground, and have fun watching your hummer friends enjoy their food!
- If you make extra, store any leftover hummingbird food in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize feeders at least weekly. Every 4 to 5 days is ideal, and more frequently in hot weather. Do not "top off" the feeder by adding more nectar before emptying it first. If the food becomes moldy, cloudy, or otherwise grimy, immediately take it down and clean out the feeder.
Notes
Deanna Talerico
Deanna Talerico (aka DeannaCat) is a garden educator and writer with over 15 years experience in organic gardening. She is a retired Senior Environmental Health Specialist, and holds a M.A. in Environmental Studies and B.S. in Sustainability and Natural Resources.
42 Comments
Pam
Thank you for this, and all your great articles, they are always interesting and very informative. I am wondering about heating the sugar water. Is there a benefit? I simply stir the sugar into room temperature water until it dissolves. Is this not sufficient? Thanks!
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Pam, we typically just use warm water and throughly stir in the sugar which seems to work just fine (at least the hummingbirds haven’t complained yet). We appreciate your support of Homestead and Chill and thanks for reading!
Jessica wiliam
Thanks guys. Your article has given me the answer for ” How Do Hummingbirds Feed Their Young?”. Newborn hummingbirds depend on their mother for nutrition and feeding. I always wonder that how they do that. Now I has known.
Mary Ellen
Hi. I enjoyed your article. I put a feeder out about a month ago in North New Jersey. It is hanging over my deck railing. It is in the shade in early morning, but sun all day. I also have a spinning balloon hanging about 10 in away. It spins if it is windy. I haven’t seen any birds yet. I have a lot of flowers on the deck and on the railings.
It is possible they come in the morning, but I haven’t seen any evidence of it. Any suggestions?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Mary Ellen, we still have a lot of flowers that hummingbirds love throughout our property but they still visit both of our feeders throughout the day, one of them is always in the shade while the other does get a bit of sun for most of the day. I think your hanging balloon may be deterring the hummingbirds from visiting the feeder, it is something they may get used to but 10 inches away is pretty close for something that spins with any wind. I would move the feeder to a different location or take down or move the ballon and see if there is an increase in activity. Hope that helps and good luck!
Marny CA
My feeder is small so I used 1/2 cup water and 2 tbsps of sugar. Is this appropriate?
I change the feeder every 4-6 days, even if there is a small amount of nectar left. My birds deserve good food just as do I.
Please let me know about the portions I am using. Much appreciated.
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hello Marny, yes you have the measurements correct, 1 part water to 1/4 part sugar. Have fun watching your birds!
Francis
Hi. I wanted to know if there are hummingbirds in ghana.i live in ghana and will like to try this experience
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hello Francis, unfortunately hummingbirds are only found in the Americas, sunbirds are a relative to hummingbirds and they can be found in Africa and Asia. Hopefully one day you will be able to see hummingbirds in real life.
Bob Adcock
They make hangers with a moat built into it and you just put some cooking oil in it and no ants in feeder.
Dennis Moreland
We are new to the hummingbird experience. We went out and purchased a feeder and made our own nectar. Hung it on one of our crepe myrtles out front so we could enjoy the hummers. It took less than 6 hours to determine that the small sugar ants were having a feast on our food. Any suggestions as to how to combat the scavengers?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Dennis, certain hummingbird feeders like this one come equipped with a “moat” to keep ants from getting into the sugar water. Hope that helps and good luck!
Tamra
Thank you so much for the info. I have 2 hummingbird feeders I live in VA was told to bring them in during winter months or the birds would freeze to death guess I need to look into that I thought the lights on the feeders was very creative. I have a Male and a female that play around my camper I live in.She comes right in my face in the mornings as if to say Goodmorning! I was scared at first until I realized she was being friendly I can talk with her and she isnt afraid her feeder is maybe 6 feet from my outside chair it is amazing !!! I loved your article and thanks again. From Virginia..I also am from California, Burbank
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Glad you have found the joy that hummingbirds can bring and thanks for reading!
Carol Davis
Thank you so much for the info on hummingbird food. We have hummingbirds in our front and back yards. Lately the feeders are getting cloudy and I’m assuming (from other things I’ve read) that it’s because I don’t heat the sugar water. Hopefully that will do the trick. I do wash the feeders with Dawn and rinse them thoroughly before filling, so I pray it is the not heating part. Oh, we live in Lancaster, CA but the way.
Shvaughn
I am also new to hummingbird “feeders” but have been a lifelong fan of hummingbirds. I recently acquired a hummingbird feeder to put in my back yard. I found all of the article interesting and helpful. I live in Tx and would love to create a garden that attracts hummingbirds, butterflies etc. so I am looking forward to that article as well. Thank you for all the great pics and info!
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hi Shvaughn, that is great to hear and there are a lot of hummingbirds in TX for sure!
Mary Ann
Ty for the article! I had my first hummingbirds visit the feeders within the last week.
I used to also set out birdseed for all of our cardinals, robins, etc. Is it ok to keep doing that or do the bigger birds scare off hummers?
Aaron (Mr. DeannaCat)
Hello Mary Ann, it is suggested to keep the birdseed feeders separate or away from the hummingbird feeders because they can be scared away or intimidated by the larger birds. Hopefully you have a large enough property for all of the birds, good luck and enjoy the bird watching.