Classic Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Hummingbird nectar is a simple sugar water solution, but it must be made with the right proportions to attract hummingbirds and give them easily digestible food.
01. Combine Sugar and Water
Combine one part plain white granulated table sugar and four parts water.
02. Heat the Mixture
Slowly heat the solution for one to two minutes to help the sugar dissolve and slow fermentation.
03. Let Cool
Allow the solution to cool completely before filling feeders.
Notices:
- If your tap water contains heavy chemicals, strong tastes, or odors, consider using bottled or purified water for purer nectar. Boiling the water before adding the sugar will help purify it, but double-check the liquid amount after extended boiling to be sure you have not reduced the volume too far, which could make the sugar concentration much higher. Hummingbirds can enjoy sweeter nectar, but it will ferment more quickly and may clog feeding ports as the sugar crystallizes.
- Do not use honey, brown sugar, molasses, or artificial sugar substitutes for any hummingbird nectar recipe. Honey and molasses (brown sugar contains molasses products) are too heavy for hummingbirds to digest efficiently and can ferment more quickly, creating mold that is fatal to hummingbirds. Sugar substitutes do not have the calories hummingbirds need for energy and offer the birds no nutritional value.
- While boiling will help slow the fermentation of the nectar initially, the nectar in hummingbird feeders is contaminated as soon as it is sipped by a bird. Therefore, it is not necessary to boil the nectar once the sugar has been dissolved. If you use extra fine sugar or stir the nectar vigorously, no boiling or heating may be needed.
- Hummingbird nectar must be completely cool before filling feeders. Hot nectar can warp or crack both glass and plastic hummingbird feeders, causing leaks. Warm nectar will also ferment more quickly once it becomes contaminated.
Information extracted from https://www.thespruce.com/, non-commercial use.For personal study only