How to Make Easy Hummingbird Food

Make your own hummingbird food and save some money.

Just like clockwork, hummingbirds return each spring to large portions of the United States from their winter trek south. So get your hummingbird feeder out and give it a good cleaning. And while you can purchase commercial hummingbird nectar, it often has dyes and preservatives that the birds don't need. All you need to do is reach in your cupboard to make a healthy hummingbird food.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Granulated white sugar
• Microwave-safe measuring cup
• Spoon

1. Pour 1/4 cup of sugar into the measuring cup.

2. Fill the measuring cup with water to the 1 cup mark.

3. Stir the mixture with a spoon to dissolve as much of it as you can. If it doesn't all dissolve at this point, that's OK.

4. Place the measuring cup in the microwave and turn it on for three minutes.

5. Remove the cup from the microwave and stir it with the spoon until all the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool to room temperature, then fill your hummingbird feeder.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use red food coloring. It could harm the birds and is not necessary.

References

• Wild Bird Shop: Feeding Hummingbirds
• Hummingbirds: Hummingbird Feeders