How to Make Easy Hummingbird Food

Updated on April 5, 2024

How to Make Easy Hummingbird Food. Save money and DIY hummingbird food for your feeder. Just two simple ingredients and SO easy to make.

Watching the hummingbirds fly around outside signals the return of spring for me. 

We have two hummingbird feeders. One hangs outside the door to our dining room and the other is on our front porch.

Many feeders come with a package of hummingbird food powder that you dissolve in water. It turns the water red and has all kinds of strange stuff in it that I cannot pronounce.

I did some reading and found out the red dye in the pre-made food may not be all that good for the birds.

I knew you could make your own hummingbird food from sugar and water, but I didn’t know exactly how to make it. After some research, I was super excited to find out it is really easy and inexpensive to make.

How to Make Hummingbird Food

Ingredients:

• Sugar
• Water

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The recipe calls for 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. To fill my feeder, I use 1/2 cup sugar to 2 cups of water.

This allows me to fill my feeder plus have an extra amount for later in the week.

First, you will add your sugar and water into a small saucepan.

Heat the mixture on the stove until the sugar dissolves. This usually only takes a couple of minutes.

Alternately you can boil the water first. Then add the sugar to the boiled water and stir until dissolved.

Allow the mixture to cool before you fill up your feeder.

Store Leftover Hummingbird Food

Leftover hummingbird food can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You want to clean out your hummingbird feeder each time you fill it with hot water and a bottle brush.

Note: I have read recommendations to not use soap to clean your feeder. During hot weather, you may need to clean out your feeder and change the nectar daily, but at least every 3 to 4 days is recommended.

My Favorite Hummingbird Feeders

I have found the glass feeders are typically easier to clean and last a lot longer than the ones that are made completely of plastic.

Buy from Home Depot: Red Daisy Hummingbird Feeder

Hang your feeder outside and enjoy the beautiful hummingbirds you attract. I keep trying to catch a picture of one, but when I open up the door they hear me and fly away!

Buy from Lowes: Hot Air Balloon Hummingbird Feeder

Print

Hummingbird Food

How to Make Hummingbird Food

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 part Sugar
• 4 parts Water

Instructions

1. Add sugar and water to a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil or heat until sugar dissolves.
3. Allow to cool and fill up your hummingbird feeder.

Recipe Notes

Extra food can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks

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