Feeding Hummingbirds

Recipe for the best hummingbird nectar:

Ingredients:

1 cup of white cane sugar

4 cups of spring water

NO Red Food Coloring!!!

Directions:

Dissolve the sugar in the water. (If using tap water, bring the mixture to a boil then cool to room temperature prior to placing feeders out for the birds.) Unused mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Tips:

• Cane sugar is highly recommended although beet sugar is okay.
• DO NOT use any other sugar - not turbinado, raw, powdered, brown, or organic sugar. And, never use honey or artificial sweeteners.
• Spring water is preferred but most tap water is acceptable.
• Never top off your nectar without emptying the old liquid and cleaning the feeder.
• Change the mixture every four to five days - more frequently if temperatures are near 90 degrees.
• If the nectar looks cloudy or you see black specks indicating mold, wash the feeder thoroughly right away with hot, soapy water. Once a month, soak the feeder in a solution of 1 Tbsp. bleach to 1 quart of water and rinse well.
• Put your feeders at least four feet above the ground in a shady spot, if possible.
• Take feeders down in the fall only after it has been three weeks since you have seen your last hummingbird. This provides food for late migrants.

The risk of not taking good care of your feeders and cleaning them appropriately is sickness and death to the birds. Hummingbirds can suffer from diarrhea and/or their tongues can swell so they can no longer eat causing them to die. If you are not able to commit to the regimine necessary to keep the hummingbirds healthy, it is better that you do not start to feed them at all.

Hummingbirds do not live on sugar water and nectar alone. They eat insects and tiny spiders to supply protein and feed on tree sap.