How to Set Up a Hummingbird Feeder
Hummingbirds, with their tiny ever-moving bodies and bright colors, are a fun bird to watch. Many hobbyists enjoy putting out hummingbird feeders to get a closer look at the birds. Some hummingbird feeders are made out of materials such as blown glass and hand-hammered copper, making them sculptural elements on their own. But even beautiful hummingbird feeders are quick and easy to set up. There's no need to purchase pre-made nectar, when you can make your own with just sugar and water.
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Things You'll Need
- 5 cups tap water
- Pan and stove to boil water (or kettle)
- 1 cup white table sugar
- Hummingbird feeder
- Place to hang feeder outside
Instructions
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Setting Up a Hummingbird Feeder
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1
Measure five cups of water and set in a pan to boil. Boiling removes some chlorine.
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2
Take four cups of the hot water out and add one cup of sugar (the five cups were to account for evaporation). Allow sugar to dissolve. Nectar is always made in this 4:1 ratio; use more or less for your particular feeder's capacity.
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3
Let the nectar cool, then pour it into your hummingbird feeder.
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4
Put the feeder together as directed for your feeder. Hang in a spot where you wish to observe the birds.
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5
Determine how much nectar you need to set out daily. To do this, you must know how many hummingbirds you get. Hummingbird experts Nancy Newfield and Bob and Martha Sargent say that you should count the number of birds you see at one time visiting, then multiply by six. Bird Watcher's Digest says you can take this number and multiply it by .46 ounces, which is what hummingbirds usually eat in a day. Therefore, if you see one hummingbird, you would need 2.76 ounces of nectar per day.
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Tips & Warnings
If you haven't bought a feeder yet, look for one with bee and ant guards to keep these pests out.
Never use anything except white table sugar in your nectar.
