Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures, known for their ability to hover in place and fly backwards. They have extremely high metabolisms and must consume up to twice their body weight in nectar each day to survive. This has led many people to wonder – can hummingbirds drink water with brown sugar added?
The short answer is yes, hummingbirds can and will drink water with some brown sugar added. However, there are some important caveats to consider when offering sugared water to hummingbirds. In the wild, hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flower nectar and small insects. Their digestive systems are adapted to process natural food sources. Brown sugar dissolved in water can work as an emergency food source, but it lacks the nutritional complexity of natural nectars.
In this article, we’ll explore in more detail:
- The natural diet of hummingbirds
- How they digest sugar and why they need it
- What types of nectar and sugar water hummingbirds can drink
- Potential risks of offering brown sugar water
- Best practices for safely feeding hummingbirds
Understanding what hummingbirds eat in the wild can help us better provide an appropriate substitute food source. Read on to learn more about the intriguing lives of hummingbirds and how to attract them to your yard!
What do hummingbirds eat in the wild?
Hummingbirds have specialized diets that allow them to sustain a high metabolism and power their unique mode of flight. Here are the key components of a hummingbird’s natural diet:
Flower Nectar
Flower nectar provides the majority of the sugars that fuel hummingbird flight. Different flower species produce varying amounts and compositions of nectar. Typical natural nectars are 20-40% sugars dissolved in water. The main sugars are fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Some key nectar-producing flowers that attract hummingbirds are:
- Trumpet vine
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Petunia
- Salvia
Tree Sap
In early spring when fewer flowers are blooming, hummingbirds will sip tree sap for an energy boost. Saps have a higher sugar concentration than floral nectars.
Small Insects
While nectar provides the fuel for flight, hummingbirds also consume small insects for essential amino acids and micronutrients not found in nectar. Common insect prey includes:
- Mosquitoes
- Fruit flies
- Gnats
- Aphids
- Spiders
Pollen
As hummingbirds move between flowers, they pick up traces of pollen on their heads and feathers. They consume some of this incidental pollen while feeding. Pollen provides protein and micronutrients.
Water
Hummingbirds will drink plain water, particularly on hot summer days when the water helps them thermoregulate. Flowers with adequate nectar may provide sufficient water intake. But during dry conditions or winter months, plain water can help hummingbirds avoid dehydration.
How do hummingbirds digest sugar?
Hummingbirds have evolved to get most of their daily calories from sugary nectar. Here’s how their digestive system is uniquely adapted:
Small Intestine
The hummingbird’s small intestine is significantly shorter than other birds relative to its size. This allows it to process sugars quickly before absorption.
Liver
Their enlarged liver can rapidly metabolize sugars. Hummingbirds can shunt excess calories to fat stores for later energy.
Kidneys
To deal with the high fluid intake from nectar, hummingbirds have relatively large kidneys that filter waste efficiently.
Tongue
Hummingbirds have forked tongues with tube-like tips that soak up nectar. Capillary action draws nectar in through the tubes.
Metabolism
Hummingbirds have some of the highest metabolism rates in the animal kingdom. At rest, their hearts beat up to 250 times per minute. In flight, up to 1200 beats per minute. This allows them to generate the energy needed for hovering and backwards flight.
Given their specialized digestion, hummingbirds can derive sufficient energy from nectar alone. But they still benefit from essential nutrients found in insects and pollen.
What types of sugar water can hummingbirds drink?
Hummingbirds can metabolize a variety of natural and artificial sweeteners. Here are some common options:
Sucrose Solution
Table sugar (sucrose) dissolved in water is the most traditional homemade nectar substitute. Sucrose splits into glucose and fructose for energy. A 20% sucrose solution approximates the concentration of natural flower nectars.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup provides glucose molecules that are rapidly digestible. A 20% solution of corn syrup can be used in place of sucrose. Look for kinds high in fructose rather than maltose.
Honey
Honey made by bees contains a mix of glucose, fructose, maltose, and other sugars. It has some trace nutrients, but a 20% honey solution can ferment more readily than sugar or corn syrup mixes.
Artificial Sweeteners
Hummingbirds will consume nectar-like solutions made with non-caloric artificial sweeteners like stevia and sucralose. However, without calories, these cannot provide energy. They should only supplement not replace caloric sugars.
Fruit Juices
Natural fruit juices like oranges, grapes, mangos, and berries can be diluted to a 20% concentration. But juices tend to spoil faster than other mixes. Only make small batches and clean feeders daily.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar contains sucrose like regular white table sugar. The molasses in brown sugar provides trace amounts of iron and calcium. A 20% solution of brown sugar can work for hummingbirds.
The key when mixing any nectar substitute is to achieve a sugar concentration around 20% and use clean or boiled water. Avoid thicker syrups that may overtax the hummingbird’s digestive system.
What are the risks of brown sugar water for hummingbirds?
While brown sugar dissolved in water provides calories that hummingbirds can metabolize, relying solely on this artificial food poses some risks:
Nutritional Deficiencies
Table sugar and brown sugar water lack the protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that hummingbirds get from natural nectar, pollen, tree sap, and insects. Relying solely on brown sugar water could lead to malnutrition.
Digestive Issues
The molasses in brown sugar may cause gut problems if given too concentrated or as the sole food source. Chickens fed molasses-heavy diets exhibit stunted growth and diarrhea. Hummingbirds could have similar issues.
Fungal Growth
The microorganisms that ferment molasses during brown sugar production can feed fungi and molds in nectar solutions. Contaminated nectar can spread deadly fungal diseases.
Diabetes Risk
Heavy consumption of sucrose and glucose stresses the pancreas that regulates blood sugar. In the long run, hummingbirds could become pre-diabetic. This risk is lower with more varied natural nectars.
Poor Oral Health
Super sugary mixes promote bacterial and fungal overgrowth that damages tooth enamel and oral tissue. Dental problems then hinder feeding.
Brown sugar water lacks key nutrients, risks digestive issues, and may encourage dental decay with overuse. While it can work as an occasional supplemental food, it should not become a hummingbird’s sole diet.
Best practices for feeding hummingbirds safely
To prioritize hummingbird health, provide varied food sources. Here are some tips:
Plant Native Nectar Flowers
Incorporate Trumpet Vine, Bee Balm, Cardinal Flowers, and other hummingbird favorites into your garden. This provides the most natural nutrition.
Use Commercial Nectar Mixes
Pre-made powdered nectar solutions contain sugar, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes optimized for hummingbird health. These are more balanced than table sugar alone.
Add Fruit
Slice oranges, grapes, banana pieces, or melon wedges. Fruit flies will gather that hummingbirds can eat. The fruit chunks also supplement nectar diets.
Offer Insects
Let areas of your yard grow wild to harbor more insects. You can also purchase containers of fruit flies or dried gnats to sprinkle around feeders.
Provide Pollen
Coat pine cones or cotton balls with pollen from beeswax candles. The pollen provides protein and nutrients.
Stir in Nutrients
When mixing your own nectar, add a pinch of brewer’s yeast for B-vitamins. Or splash in a small amount of fruit juice or coconut water for electrolytes.
Clean Feeders
Change nectar and scrub feeders every few days. Dirty feeders can spread diseases. Be diligent during warm weather.
Use Safe Sweeteners
Opt for white cane sugar rather than brown sugar. Or try organic honey or agave nectar. Avoid artificial sweeteners.
Water Daily
Ensure a clean water source is always available, apart from nectar feeders. Provide a fountain, mister, or bird bath.
Limit Brown Sugar
If using brown sugar water, blend it half and half with white sugar or commercial mixes. Dilute it to 20% concentration. Offer it only occasionally, not daily.
By mimicking natural food sources as possible, we can create a varied hummingbird diet. An occasional treat of brown sugar water is fine but not as the sole food source. Follow these best practices to keep hummingbirds happy, healthy, and regularly gracing your yard with their beauty and activity!
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are designed to thrive on the wide nutrition found in flower nectars, tree saps, pollens, and insects. While they can metabolize the sucrose in brown sugar to derive energy, brown sugar water lacks the vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, and antioxidants hummingbirds need. Relying solely on brown sugar as food poses risks including malnutrition, gut issues, fungal infections, and diabetes. Brown sugar water can be an occasional supplemental food source if diluted properly, but it should not become the full diet. To keep hummingbirds healthy, it is best to provide diverse, natural food sources like native nectar flowers, fruit wedges, pollen, and insect availability. With a bit of planning to meet their nutritional needs, we can easily attract these special birds and enjoy their buzzing activity and dazzling colors.
