We’ve talked about hummingbird feeders before in discussing how long to leave your feeders up during the fall migration, but this new question came from Stacey through the new Ask Carole feature at Ecosystem Gardening:
Carole, is it really okay to feed hummingbirds sugar water? I avoid refined sugar like the plague, so I’m wondering if it’s safe for those tiny bodies. I prefer to plant flowers they like, even if it means a few non-natives (Maltese cross, for example).
Am I being too much of a purist?
What a great question! Especially at this time of the year when the Hummingbirds are flitting all over my garden.
Here’s some rules of thumb when filling your hummingbird feeders:
- DO NOT use that red-dyed hummingbird “food” you can get in the supermarket or garden store. It is thought to cause harm to both humans and hummingbirds and it’s just not worth risking that. Besides, it makes no difference in attracting hummingbirds and it’s expensive.
- DO NOT use honey to make nectar for hummingbirds. Honey ferments and causes a deadly bacterium in hummingbirds.
- Table sugar most closely resembles the nectar found in flowers. This is the feeding method of choice by every hummingbird researcher I know.
- It is very important to clean your feeders out frequently in the summer heat. The nectar can spoil in the heat and cause illness for the hummingbirds. Aim for every other day.
To make nectar for hummingbirds, mix table sugar with water in a 4 to 1 ratio. For example, 1 cup water to 1/4 cup sugar, or 4 cups water to 1 cup sugar.
You can either prepare this on your stove top by boiling the water until the sugar is dissolved. Or you can prepare it at room temperature by stirring the sugar into the water until it is completely dissolved.
When choosing a feeder, you want one that is red, is easily cleaned, has built-in ant protection, and is easy for hummingbirds to use. I prefer the Aspects Hummzinger feeder pictured here. It’s easy to use and the hummingbirds love it.
There is also a smaller feeder, the Aspects mini Hummzinger Hummingbird feeder which is great at the times of year when the hummingbirds are not migrating, but nesting in your garden.
You may want to read Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds, by Sheri Williamson. While there are several other Hummingbird garden books, Sheri Williamson’s is the most accurate. She is also the author of A Field Guide to the Hummingbirds of North America, the essential reference for identifying hummingbirds.
Also, consider adding some of these native plants to your wildlife garden:
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
- Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
- Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
- Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
- Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia)
- Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
- Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemmon digitalis)
- Lyre-leaved Sage (Salvia lyrata)
- Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
What are you doing for hummingbirds in your garden?
Ask Carole–Have a burning question about Ecosystem Gardening? Or habitat gardening for wildlife? Sustainable landscaping? Or attracting more wildlife to your garden? Ask your question here, and I’ll post the answer at Ecosystem Gardening.
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About Carole Sevilla Brown
Honestly, I am way too lazy to put out hummingbird feeders and change them regularly. Knowing this about myself, I plant hummingbird plants, because it’s just easier and I won’t feel guilty that I am poisoning the wee birds when I suddenly realize it’s been six weeks since I cleaned the feeder.
This year, the Agastache aurantiaca–a hyssop native to Arizona and Mexico–has been the absolutely favorite of the hummingbirds. Not quite native in my range, but at least it’s from the same continent, and man, the hummingbirds luuuuv it.
Oh, good! Seems like the answer to most “is what you’re doing really ok?” questions is “NO!” Nice to have the answer be “sure, you’re doing it right!” for once.
If you boil the sugar and water mixture, be sure it is completely cooled before you put it outside for the hummingbirds to drink. You do not want to burn them.
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I recently put up a hummingbird feeder in my backyard. I live in Annapolis MD and wasn’t sure I’d attract any. I was a bit concerned that refined sugar may be bad for them but I believe it is okay (1:4 ratio). I notice a ruby-throated hummingbird generally sits on a branch above the feeder and chases away almost all other commers save one. I assume it must be a male and is trying to ingratiate itself witha female. They are thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable to watch.
I will be away for ten days and hope the mixture does not go bad (bacteria growth, etc.). I am reluctant to not leave the feeder filled but do not change the water more than once a week. I’m sure that that is probably not often enough, but I do disassemble the feeder entirely and clean it well before refilling.
Bob, females can be just as aggressive as males in guarding “their” nectar source. It’s pretty funny for such a tiny bird to have such a huge attitude. At this time of year when the hummingbirds begin to move south you’ll probably have days when the battle for your feeder is fierce. It’s so much fun to watch.