Hummingbird Food (Sugar & Water Ratios)
Make safe and fresh hummingbird food at home with this simple recipe. Just two ingredients and a few easy steps to enjoy watching your hummingbirds thrive.
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 768kcal
Equipment
- Hummingbird Feeder This is the one shown
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Boil the Water: Start by adding 4 cups of water to a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the water for 6-8 minutes, or until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Dissolve the Sugar: Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave (it will be hot!). Slowly stir in 1 cup of granulated sugar. Add a small amount of sugar at a time, as it will bubble up when it hits the hot water. Continue to stir until all the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Cool the Nectar: Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. This is important as hot nectar can harm the birds.
- Fill the Feeders: Once the nectar is cool, pour it into your hummingbird feeders. Each of my feeders holds about 1-1/2 cups. Fill the feeder's cylinder and then flip it over to allow the nectar to flow into the base. It may not look full when hung, but that’s normal.
- Store Leftovers: Any leftover nectar can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator. Homemade hummingbird food can last about a week in the fridge.
Video
Notes
Keep leftover nectar in the fridge for about a week.
Hummingbird food should be changed out every 3-5 days when outside to avoid molding, cloudiness, and going bad. If you notice any weird smells, bugs, or the water looks bad, its fine to replace sooner. If its exceptionally hot outside, you may want to change every other day in order to preserve freshness for your birds.
Nutrition
Serving: 4cups | Calories: 768kcal