Hummingbird Food Recipe (4:1 Sugar Water)

Homemade hummingbird food is just white sugar and water in a 1:4 ratio. It matches the sugar level of the flowers they feed on, and it costs pennies.

Do not add red dye, honey, brown sugar or sweeteners. A red feeder attracts hummingbirds on its own.

Why your bird will love this

• Two ingredients, five minutes
• Safer than store-bought red nectar
• Costs pennies per feeder

Ingredient notes

• Plain white granulated sugar Safe

  Never honey, brown sugar, raw sugar or sweeteners.

  Plain white sugar and water, 1:4. Never honey, brown sugar, sweeteners or red dye.

• Water

  Tap water is fine.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Hummingbird Food

Hummingbird Food takes about 37 minutes from start to finish and makes 2.5 cups. It is an easy recipe. You will need a hummingbird feeder and bottle brush. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 2 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for birds.

• 1/2 cup plain white granulated sugar: Never honey, brown sugar, raw sugar or sweeteners. Plain white sugar and water, 1:4. Never honey, brown sugar, sweeteners or red dye.
• 2 cups water: Tap water is fine.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Bring the water to a boil to help the sugar dissolve. Allow about 2 minutes.
2. Stir in the sugar until completely clear.
3. Let the nectar cool to room temperature. Allow about 30 minutes.
4. Fill a clean feeder and refrigerate the rest.
5. Scale up: 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water makes a quart; 4 cups sugar to 16 cups water makes a gallon.

Tips for success

• Stick to the 1:4 ratio; stronger mixes can harm birds’ kidneys and liver.
• Clean the feeder with hot water every time you refill it. A bottle brush reaches the ports.
• Hang feeders in partial shade so the nectar ferments more slowly.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Keep extra nectar in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

Fill the feeder only as much as the birds empty in 2 to 3 days. Change it every 2 days in hot weather.

Why birds love it

Two ingredients, five minutes. Safer than store-bought red nectar. Costs pennies per feeder.

Feeding tips for birds

Birds are sensitive to toxins, so keep avocado, salt, chocolate, onion and caffeine well away from their food. Wash feeders and dishes often to prevent mold and bacteria. For wild birds, place feeders where you can see them but near cover so birds can escape from predators. For pet birds, introduce new foods next to familiar ones and be patient.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

For pet birds, changes in droppings, fluffed-up feathers, or sitting on the cage floor are warning signs that need an avian vet. For wild birds, clean feeders every few days and take them down for two weeks if you see sick birds, so disease does not spread.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have plain white granulated sugar and water. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your bird. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the recipe for hummingbird food?

One part white sugar to four parts water. For 2 cups of water, use 1/2 cup of sugar.

Do I need red dye?

No. Red dye is unnecessary and may be harmful. The red parts of the feeder attract birds.

How often should I change it?

Every 2 days in hot weather, and every 4 to 5 days when it is cool.