What You Need
- hummingbird feeder
- pitcher
- stove and pot
- water
- white sugar
What You Do
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STEP 1: Create the nectar
Dissolve one part white sugar in four parts hot water. Boil the water if you plan to store the nectar in the refrigerator. Never use honey, which ferments easily, or artificial sweeteners, which have no food value for birds. Red food coloring is not recommended as it may be harmful to birds. Many hummingbird feeders are already red, the hummingbird’s favorite color.
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STEP 2: Pour the nectar into the feeder
Let the solution cool to room temperature before putting it in your feeder. You can store homemade nectar for up to a week in the refrigerator.
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STEP 3: Empty and rinse your feeder every two to three days
It’s important to keep your feeder clean, especially in warm weather, to prevent bacteria from growing in the feeder and making hummingbirds sick.
FUN FACT:
Hummingbirds are amazing! These tiny birds can fly forward, backward, and straight up in the air the way a helicopter can. Watch some hummingbirds in action!
