DIY Hummingbird Nectar Recipe — I am always so happy when I see a hummingbird in my yard. Do you feel that way? Like your garden is so hospitable that it attracts the most delicate little birds–like you’ve somehow arrived in the gardening world?
Okay, so maybe it has something to do with providing them with food, but whatever. You can EASILY and CHEAPLY make your own hummingbird nectar.
Supplies {brace yourself, this is an extensive list}:
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 4 Cups Boiling Water
- A container to store it in the fridge
That it. That’s all you need for this DIY hummingbird nectar recipe. Simply mix the sugar to the boiling water, stirring until it dissolves completely. Then, put it in the fridge to cool. When you are ready, pour it in the hummingbird feeder as needed. Pretty easy right? Yes, yes it is! đ
***Did you know hummingbirds’ heart rates are about 1200 beats per minute? They typically weigh less than a nickel, and they can’t use their feet to walk or hop–only to scoot sideways if they are perched. Crazy.
~Mavis
Want to attract more birds to your garden? Check out my blog post on how to attract birds to your garden.
Connie says
Love hummingbirds!! We have the Costos in the winter here in Molalla, OR. Now they’ve sort of been replaced by the much more aggressive Rufus.
I do use that recipe but I’m usually in a hurry to re-fill the feeder and wash it out so that I use 2 parts boiling water, mix in the 1 part sugar til dissolved, then mix 2 parts cold water to get it at a drinking temperature. That way I can wash and fill the feeder immediately.
Erika says
I do pretty much the same as Connie. We have bunches of different types of hummingbirds coming through AZ. We got a great feeder (the only one we’ve ever tried that hasn’t yet leaked) from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum (which also has an extensive hummingbird house).
Lisa says
There is something special about hummingbirds! Takes me back to when I was a little girl and my grandma had a hummingbird feeder out her window. đ
Linda M says
I put my feeder out Tuesday and saw the first hummingbird feeding at it this morning. Sure made my day! I had someone tell me years ago that I should have my feeder out by April 20th for this part of the country. That has held pretty true for our area…sometimes I see them a little earlier, sometimes a little later. We are in the country, so we host several…have counted as many as over 30 when their young have hatched and are beginning to feed. What a delight. I also have made my own nectar for years.
Dale Ann says
Hummingbirds are awesome little creatures!
Many years I have had them hover just inches from my nose, as if to say hello! :0)
Dan says
I’ve done it this way (almost) for years. If you want to make it even more effective, add red food coloring—they’re drawn to it as it simulates an attractive flower color.
Mavis says
Thanks Dan! đ
Kady says
It’s not a good idea to add any kind of food coloring to hummingbird nectar. I’ve read it can harm their kidneys. Better to get a red feeder. They will be attracted to that.
Shannon says
Red food coloring is not needed, nor is it good for the humming birds. That’s why the feeders have bright colors on them.
Faye says
Red food coloring is damaging to humming birds. Use a red feeder or red flowers in front of it.
Thanks so much for the recipe. I’ve been interested but now am motivated
Aline Chiasson says
I’m from north east of New Brunswick Canada. I love hummingbirds. Someone told me today that I should stop feeding them so they would go away. I have never heard about that. Hope to get an answer.
Heather says
We love our âhummersâ! We donât stop feeding them until we havenât seen any for several. They leave on their own and seem to know when it is time. They will begin using more of the feed the closer they get to leaving…they are preparing for their journey south.
Heather says
That should say several âweeksâ
Carolyn says
OMGoodness. You guys, I saw my first hummingbird this morning!! I’m so happy – I recently moved to an apartment and one of the first things I did was get a tall plant hanger and put out my feeder. The amazing part is that I live in a downstairs unit, in the corner, under an overhang; therefore it’s a completely shaded and “sheltered” area. But, my little brave hummers are Here!
Linda says
I was videoing our hummers this morning as the many little birds jockey and argue over a perfect spot on one of the three feeders we have. We are feeding approximately 18 birds and are going thru two quarts of food a day. Our very old, very large lilac tree is near the feeders and they love that tree. I will be sad and glad when they start their migration because keeping the feeders full is a part time job.
Mel says
We used to do it this way, but we switched to an instant mix (without dye) that mixes straight into cold water to save time.
It is thought that bird migration might be cued by day length and other factors, so leaving food out should not really entice them to overstay. Food is part of it, but flowers and natural food sources are still around. It can be deceptive though because the birds that nested near you will leave while the ones from farther north are still passing through, so it may look like they are staying. That said, birds do odd things. We had a rose-breasted grosbeak in December in our Maryland yard once.
Diana Wright says
We use flowers for our hummingbirds! We have so many that live on our property. I love seeing their nests. My favorite thing is when they come up to my face and stare at me. I always think they are asking me for something or saying good morning. If I get a hose out they will come into the mist to get a drink. We have trays with water in several places for all of the birds.
I also love when they fly straight up 25 feet into the air and dive down, which is the male doing a courtship dance.
Diane says
I have a series of hanging baskets with mainly fuschias in them that I’ve used to attract hummers for some time. I just got some feeders to augment so this article is very timely for me! I have also allowed a native plant to invade one flower bed. Technically it’s a weed. The bees and hummers love them so they stay until the blooms are past. Then I cut them back to keep them from spreading more. I love the nature who comes and visits me….except for the rabbits. Have a great day!
Linda Practical Parsimony says
“Nature” on PBS has a special on hummingbirds. We get to see hummingbirds two feet long! The program is very interesting. We use the same recipe with our feeder. Plus, we never use dye.
SueD says
I sometimes use an instant mix, but usually use this recipe to make our own. Have 2 hummer feeders in front, and one in the back garden. I usually plant certain flowers they like so there are options.
Should never use dye/food colour in the mix as it can harm the hummers. I keep the feeders out through November, particularly if itâs been a warm autumn. After the locals leave, we get the migrating ones coming through.
Sue S. says
I use the commercial mix without dye myself.
I think it has more of what they need than just sugar and water. Over the years I’ve resorted to glass feeders only, you know, the ones with the red glass stem because no matter what other type of feeder I’ve used, they always leak. We have a few resident hummers this year .
Lynda says
Please remember to change it frequently⌠the mix can go bad
Mrs. Mac says
I downsized and just put out one feeder – changing the ‘nectar’ every 4-5 days. The little buzzers will fly to my window to get my attention when the feeder is empty. They will be leaving the North Woods in the next week or two – so will make sure to give them a good send off.
Michelle Wright says
VERY IMPORTANT: It has to be regular processed sugar only. The others will kill them. No raw sugar, cane sugar, etc.
Mrs. Hillbilly says
I love your hummingbird recipe ! Been using since you shared many years ago . And mine come all year round!! Tried and true ! Mrs HB