Learning how to make this hummingbird food recipe is as simple! Get the exact directions here and keep those little birds coming back to your yard!
Earlier this summer I noticed that two cute little hummingbirds were frequenting my flowers so I made this hummingbird food recipe and hung up a feeder. At the store, I noticed that hummingbird food can be pricey!! Don’t pay for it! It’s so easy to learn how to make hummingbird food yourself and all you need is some sugar, water, and a heat source.
Do you boil water for hummingbird food?
In the video below where I show you how to make the standard hummingbird food recipe, I use a pan on the stovetop but just as often I’ll use a large pyrex bowl in the microwave. Both work very well! The reason you heat the water until it is boiling is two-fold.
One reason is so all of the sugar will dissolve and stay in solution. You don’t want grainy hummingbird food, that would end up being an inconsistent food source, not to mention it would clog up your feeder.
The second reason is to be extra certain there isn’t any mold or bacteria in the food you are making. Once mold gets in your feeder it is hard to get out and it can be toxic to hummingbirds.
Also, I just have to say it. I hate that hummingbird feeder! I picked it up at the store on a whim because it was $2 and I wasn’t sure the hummingbirds would even eat from one.
Turns out they love it and now I’m hesitant to change it because I hear they can be picky. I think I’ll get a prettier one that I love and hang them side by side for a while to see what happens. I am loving these glass bottle feeders! They are on my list…
Do you need food coloring in my hummingbird food?
Now, I know adding food coloring to anything can be controversial. First of all, please remember that food coloring is added in such small amounts to this hummingbird food recipe that it really isn’t going to influence the food.
But if you are opposed to adding it, then don’t! I find they prefer colored water. Another solution is to purchase a feeder that is tinted. Problem solved! Although I’m not convinced food coloring is a problem in the first place 🙂 {Read more about my thoughts on food choice here}.
What are the ratios for making hummingbird food?
Let’s do a little math review for this hummingbird food recipe. Don’t leave! Ha! It’s easy. Ratios are often given by saying four to one or written 4:1. When a ratio is given instead of an exact measurement, it’s actually very nice because you can scale whatever you’re making up or down to suit your needs.
A 4:1 ratio means there are 5 parts total – think of it as a pie with 5 slices. 4 of the slices are water, and 1 slice is sugar {if we are talking about this hummingbird food recipe – if we are really talking about pie I’ll take 4 slices of pumpkin and 1 slice of triple berry 🙂 }.
How to Make Hummingbird Food
Ingredients
- 4 parts water
- 1 part sugar
- Food coloring
Instructions
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Combine water and sugar.
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Bring to a rolling boil, stirring frequently (see note).
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Once sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and add a small amount of food coloring, if desired.
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Allow to cool completely.
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Pour into the feeder and enjoy the hummingbirds!
Notes
My hummingbird feeder holds roughly 5 cups of fluid, so using the 4:1 ratio of water to sugar, that would be 4 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar. This ratio can be scaled up or down depending on how much hummingbird food you need (see blog post for further explanation).
You can boil the mixture on the stovetop or in the microwave in a microwave-safe container.
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How to Make Hummingbird Food
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 cups water
- 3 drops food coloring
Instructions
- Combine water and sugar.
- Bring to a rolling boil, stirring frequently (see note).
- Once sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and add a small amount of food coloring, if desired.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Pour into the feeder and enjoy the hummingbirds!
Video
Notes
Looking for more great gardening posts?
- How to Make Hummingbird Food
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- Gardening Tips for Beginners
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- Garden Soil Preparation for Planting
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- How to Compost
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- Harvesting Onions and Storing Onions
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Sandy S says
Please do not use red food coloring in the sugar water as it can harm the hummingbirds. Thank you!
Alli says
I said it was optional.
Alli says
Great recipe and explanation!