Quick Answer
Yes, you can add vitamins and supplements to hummingbird nectar to provide additional nutrients for hummingbirds. The most commonly added supplements are vitamins B and C, electrolytes, and minerals like calcium and magnesium. It’s important not to over-supplement their diet, so follow package directions carefully.
Vitamins Hummingbirds Need
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and need a lot of energy from their food to support their rapid heart rate and constant motion. Here are some of the key vitamins and minerals hummingbirds require in their diet:
Vitamin B
– B vitamins help hummingbirds convert food into energy and maintain proper nerve function. Thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), and biotin (B7) are all important B vitamins for hummingbirds.
Vitamin C
– Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes a healthy immune system in hummingbirds. Since they can’t produce their own vitamin C, they need dietary sources.
Calcium
– Calcium is required for bone health, egg production, and proper muscle and nerve functioning. Female hummingbirds especially need adequate calcium.
Electrolytes
– Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and chloride help maintain fluid balance and are rapidly depleted during flight. Providing electrolyte supplements can help meet increased needs.
Is it Safe to Add Vitamins?
It is generally safe to add small amounts of vitamins, electrolytes, and minerals to hummingbird nectar as long as proper ratios are followed. Some things to keep in mind:
– Only use supplements specifically formulated for hummingbirds. Don’t use supplements designed for other animals.
– Follow package directions carefully and do not over-supplement. Too much can be dangerous.
– Make sure added supplements do not exceed more than 10% of the total nectar weight.
– Store supplemented nectar in the refrigerator and discard after 1-2 days to prevent spoilage.
– Never add red food coloring, honey, or artificial sweeteners, as these can be harmful.
– Only provide supplemented nectar during periods of high energy needs, like during nesting or migration. Routine supplementation usually isn’t needed.
How to Safely Supplement Nectar
If you want to provide some extra nutrition for the hummingbirds visiting your feeder, here are some tips:
Choose a Commercial Product
Look for a commercial powdered product designed specifically for hummingbirds. Some good options include HummerVite, Nekton-Hum, and other blends. These contain B vitamins, vitamin C, amino acids, minerals, and electrolytes.
Read the Instructions
Follow label directions carefully. Proper dilution is important to prevent over-supplementing. Usually 1-2 scoops per cup or quart of nectar is appropriate.
Use Sparingly
Only put out a single supplemented feeder and offer plain nectar in other feeders. Hummingbirds shouldn’t rely solely on supplemented nectar for their nutrition. Offer supplementation only 2-3 times per week for short periods.
Monitor the Feeder
Check the feeder frequently and clean it thoroughly every 2-3 days. Discard any nectar that looks cloudy. Supplements can cause nectar to spoil more rapidly. Keep other feeders with plain nectar available.
Recipes for Supplemented Nectar
If you want to make your own supplemented nectar, here are a couple simple recipes:
Electrolyte Nectar
| 1 cup white sugar |
| 4 cups water |
| 1/8 tsp salt |
| 1/8 tsp baking soda |
Bring water to a boil, remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients until dissolved. Let cool before filling feeders.
Vitamin-Fortified Nectar
| 1 cup white sugar |
| 4 cups water |
| 1/8 tsp vitamin B complex |
| Pinch vitamin C crystals |
Dissolve sugar in boiling water, remove from heat and stir in vitamins. Allow to cool before using.
Signs of Vitamin Deficiencies in Hummingbirds
Here are some symptoms that could indicate a hummingbird needs more supplementation:
– Lethargy, weakness, or inability to fly
– Loss of appetite or weight loss
– Loss of coordination, seizures, or muscle twitching
– Feather or skin problems like dullness, breakage, or lesions
– Swollen eyes or joints
– Neurological issues like tilting head or flying in circles
– Increased aggression at feeders
– Damaged or deformed beaks
If you notice any of these signs in hummingbirds at your feeders, try providing some supplemented nectar and monitoring whether their health improves. Seek help from a wildlife rehabilitator if symptoms persist.
Risks of Over-Supplementing Hummingbird Nectar
While proper supplementation can be beneficial, too much can be dangerous. Here are some potential risks of over-supplementing:
– Disturbing the normal balance of nutrients. Too much calcium depresses absorption of iron, copper, and zinc for example.
– Vitamin toxicities. Excess vitamin D causes calcium deposits in soft tissues. Excess vitamin A causes bone loss and nerve damage.
– Metabolic disorders. Excess sodium and potassium disrupt fluid balance and can cause kidney damage.
– Digestive issues. Osmotic imbalances can cause diarrhea. Some supplements have laxative effects.
– Changes in taste preferences. Too much supplementation may cause hummingbirds to avoid plain nectar.
– Contamination risk. Spoiled nectar with excess vitamins promotes bacterial and fungal growth.
To prevent over-supplementation, carefully follow package directions, use a limited number of supplemented feeders, change nectar frequently, and monitor birds for signs of toxicity.
FAQs
Should I give hummingbirds electrolytes?
Electrolyte supplements can be helpful during periods of high stress like migration or nesting when hummingbirds are rapidly burning through energy. A basic electrolyte solution of salt, baking soda, and table sugar can help restore depleted reserves.
Do hummingbirds need calcium?
Female hummingbirds need adequate calcium to produce strong eggshells. Calcium supplementation may be beneficial during nesting season, but exact needs vary by species. Calcium-fortified nectar a few times a week or a cuttlebone near feeders can help provide extra calcium.
Can I use nutritional yeast to supplement nectar?
Small amounts of brewer’s or nutritional yeast can be used to add B vitamins to homemade nectar. About 1/4 tsp per cup of nectar is sufficient. Be sure to strain the nectar after mixing to remove clumps.
What vitamins should be avoided for hummingbirds?
Fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K as well as choline should be avoided since they accumulate in the body and can cause toxicity with excess intake. Also avoid supplements containing iron, which can be dangerously toxic to hummingbirds.
Can I use raw honey in hummingbird nectar?
Raw, unprocessed honey may contain spores that can cause a deadly disease called avian honey fungus in hummingbirds. Heating the honey kills the spores but also destroys nutrients. For safety, it’s best to avoid using honey in hummingbird nectar.
Conclusion
Supplementing hummingbird nectar with small amounts of B vitamins, vitamin C, electrolytes, and minerals can provide health benefits during times of high physiological demands like migration, nesting, or poor food availability. However, over-supplementation carries serious risks, so careful attention must be paid to proper dilution, rotation of supplemented and plain nectar, and monitoring bird health. With some extra care, supplementation can be a safe way to provide an additional nutritional boost for hummingbirds. If done properly, adding supplements to nectar can help attract more hummingbirds to feeders and support their energetic lifestyles.
