Can I use brown sugar in hummingbird food?

Using brown sugar in hummingbird feeders is a common practice, but there are some important considerations. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide a quick overview of the pros and cons of brown sugar for hummingbirds.

Quick Answers

The short answer is yes, you can use brown sugar in hummingbird food, but it may not be the best option. Here are some key points:

• Brown sugar contains molasses which provides iron and minerals that are beneficial for hummingbirds.
• However, the molasses makes the sugar solution thicker and more difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
• White refined sugar dissolves easier in water and may be a better choice.
• Both white and brown sugar supply the carbohydrates hummingbirds need for energy.
• Avoid using artificial sweeteners, honey, or organic/raw sugar in hummingbird feeders.

The details below expand on these main points and provide more context on using brown sugar versus white sugar in hummingbird nectar.

Nutritional Value of Brown Sugar

So why might someone choose to use brown sugar? Brown sugar contains molasses, which gives it a richer flavor and color than white sugar. Molasses provides some additional nutritional value:

• Iron – Important for healthy blood and energy levels
• Calcium – Essential for bone health and muscle function
• Magnesium – Helps regulate enzyme function and metabolism
• Potassium – Key electrolyte for fluid balance and nerve transmission

The trace amounts of these minerals found in brown sugar could benefit hummingbirds. The iron, calcium, and potassium may help meet increased nutritional needs during migration. Hummingbirds have one of the highest metabolic rates of any animal, so they require a lot of energy.

However, the thickness of the molasses may reduce the benefits of the extra nutrition. Let’s look at the potential issues with using brown sugar in hummingbird feeders.

Drawbacks of Brown Sugar

Here are some of the downsides of using brown sugar instead of plain white sugar:

Thicker Solution

The molasses in brown sugar makes the nectar solution more viscous and thick. This can cause problems for hummingbirds when they try to draw up the nectar through their long, slender beaks. The thicker fluid is more difficult and requires more energy to ingest.

Slower Dissolving

In addition to the thickness, brown sugar can be harder to dissolve completely in water. Undissolved sugar crystals may remain in the solution. Hummingbirds can’t digest the solid grains properly.

Breeding Bacteria

The molasses provides extra nutrition for microorganisms as well. Bacteria and yeast thrive on the molasses and can overgrow in your feeder. This contamination can lead to deadly infections in hummingbirds.

Faster Spoilage

The buildup of microorganisms causes the sugar water to ferment and spoil more rapidly. The higher moisture content also enables the nectar to sour faster with brown sugar. Proper cleaning and maintenance are especially critical.

With white sugar, the pure sucrose solution lasts longer in the feeder without spoiling. Let’s look at why refined white sugar makes the best hummingbird food.

Benefits of White Sugar

Here are the advantages of using plain white sugar:

Dissolves Fully

White sugar contains just pure sucrose that easily dissolves in water. A supersaturated solution provides the maximum energy density. The liquefied nectar can move freely up the hummingbirds’ feeding tubes.

Low Microbial Growth

Without extra nutrients from molasses, white sugar does not promote rapid growth of bacteria and yeast. The nectar resists over-fermentation and stays fresh longer.

Proper Concentration

A 1:4 ratio of sugar to water approximates the natural nectar concentration that hummingbirds are adapted to. Plain white sugar is easy to mix at the optimal proportions.

Familiar Taste

Hummingbirds have come to associate the taste of white sucrose with flower nectar through generations of exposure. It reliably attracts them to feeders.

Table sugar provides a balanced source of carbohydrates with an appropriate texture and taste. Next we’ll look at some unsuitable alternatives to white or brown sugar.

Sugars to Avoid

When making your own hummingbird food, stay away from these types of sugars:

Raw/Turbinado Sugar

Raw sugars are less refined and may contain impurities that can clog feeders. The coarse texture also won’t dissolve efficiently.

Organic Sugar

While organic options are free of pesticides, they still have a high molasses content. This can cause the same issues as brown sugar.

Honey

Honey has an entirely different chemical structure than plant nectar. It may also grow harmful fungal spores that can sicken hummingbirds.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, or stevia are not a natural food source. They do not provide usable nutrition for hummingbirds.

Now that we’ve covered the various sugar options, let’s summarize the key points in a table for quick reference.

Conclusion

To sum up, brown sugar can be used in hummingbird feeders, but white granulated sugar is generally a better choice. The pure sucrose is easier for the birds to consume and slows microbial contamination.

However, maintaining fresh nectar is crucial no matter which type of sugar you use. Change the solution every 2-3 days in hot weather or every 5 days when it’s cool. Keep feeders clean and free of ants and bee guards installed.

With proper care and cleaning, both brown sugar and white sugar can provide food that will attract these fun, fast-flying pollinators to your garden!