Do hummingbirds need electrolytes?

Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures. Their wings can beat up to 80 times per second, allowing them to hover in place or fly backwards. Their hearts beat up to 1,260 times per minute while at rest! To support their high-energy lifestyle, hummingbirds need to consume up to half their body weight in nectar each day. This has led many people to wonder – with such a high metabolism, do hummingbirds need electrolytes?

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals that help regulate hydration and muscle function. The main electrolytes found in our bodies include:

• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Phosphate

These minerals dissolve into electrically charged particles called ions when in fluid. The ions help transport nutrients throughout the body and play a key role in muscle contractions. This includes the rapid beating of a hummingbird’s heart.

Do hummingbirds get electrolytes from nectar?

Nectar is the main food source for hummingbirds. It gives them the carbohydrates they need for energy. But nectar itself does not contain high levels of electrolytes.

A 2007 study analyzed the nutrient content of nectar from three common hummingbird-pollinated plants in Arizona – coral bean, desert willow, and coulter’s lupine. The nectar was found to be rich in sugars but low in electrolytes. On average, it contained:

• 0.3% protein
• 1.2% lipids
• 0.1% ash (mineral content)

Researchers noted that the nectar was “surprisingly deficient in minerals that are essential to animal nutrition.” Only trace amounts of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium were present.

While nectar fuels a hummingbird’s high metabolism, it does not provide substantial electrolytes. Hummingbirds must get these essential minerals from additional food sources.

How else do hummingbirds get electrolytes?

In addition to nectar, hummingbirds get electrolytes and other nutrients by consuming:

• Insects – Hummingbirds eat small insects for protein. Insects contain higher levels of electrolytes than nectar, including needed sodium and calcium.
• Tree sap – Hummingbirds will drink tree sap for an extra source of sugars. The sap may contain electrolytes from the tree, though levels vary.
• Pollen – As hummingbirds move between flowers, pollen collects on their heads and feet. During grooming, some of this nutritious pollen makes it into their mouths.
• Fruit – Occasionally a hummingbird may supplement its diet with fruit, which contains many essential vitamins and minerals.

By including these foods along with nectar in their diet, hummingbirds can obtain the electrolyte nutrients they need, such as:

Sodium

Sodium helps regulate the amount of fluid in the body and is key for muscle and nerve function. Hummingbirds get needed sodium from nectar, insects, pollen, and fruit.

Potassium

Potassium also helps maintain fluid balance and is important for muscle contractions, heartbeat rhythm, and nerve signals. Insects and fruit provide potassium for hummingbirds.

Calcium

Calcium helps form healthy bones and beaks. It also aids in muscle, nerve, and heart function. While nectar is low in calcium, insects and pollen both provide usable calcium sources for hummingbirds.

Magnesium

Magnesium works closely with calcium for bone formation. It also assists muscle and nerve transmissions. Magnesium is found more in insect prey and pollen compared to nectar.

Electrolyte deficiency in hummingbirds

Without adequate electrolyte intake, hummingbirds can develop muscle weakness, irregular heartbeats, and problems controlling fluid levels. Eventually electrolyte deficiency can lead to serious disorders like:

• Hypokalemia – Low potassium levels
• Hyponatremia – Low sodium levels
• Hypocalcemia – Low calcium levels
• Hypomagnesemia – Low magnesium levels

Providing a hummingbird feeder with just sucrose nectar is not enough for electrolyte needs. Hummingbirds visiting a nectar feeder must get electrolytes from other food sources. Inability to properly balance electrolyte intake can put the bird’s health at risk.

Should electrolytes be added to hummingbird nectar?

Some commercial hummingbird nectars add electrolytes in an attempt to create a more complete nutritional formula. However, research indicates extra electrolytes in nectar may not benefit wild hummingbirds.

A 2015 study tested how captive hummingbirds responded to electrolyte-enhanced nectar. The researchers measured food intake, body composition, and athletic performance. Here is a summary of the results:

The researchers concluded adding electrolytes to nectar did not offer any measurable benefits. The hummingbirds did not increase food intake or improve body condition or performance when electrolytes were present.

In the wild, hummingbirds are adapted to getting their electrolytes from sources like insects rather than nectar. Adding electrolytes to artificial nectar does not appear to significantly enhance the nutrition of wild hummingbirds.

Potential risks of added electrolytes

There may also be some risks to providing supplemental electrolytes in nectar feeders:

• The specific electrolyte balance required by hummingbirds is unknown. Getting the concentrations wrong could have health impacts.
• Extra minerals may interact with other nectar components and make the formula less palatable to hummingbirds.
• Contamination or spoilage could occur more easily with added electrolytes.

Researchers suggest using plain white sugar and water nectar is safest for hummingbird feeders. Hummingbirds have thrived for thousands of years on natural food sources to meet their nutritional needs.

Meeting a hummingbird’s electrolyte needs

While hummingbirds get their carbohydrate energy from nectar, they rely on other food sources for balanced nutrition:

• Insects provide protein as well as needed sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
• Fruit and tree sap offer additional carbohydrate energy and minerals.
• Pollen gives protein and trace minerals.

By including these food sources along with nectar in their diet, hummingbirds obtain the right blend of nutrients without the need for electrolyte supplements. Some ways to provide natural food sources in your yard include:

• Plant a variety of colorful, tubed flowers to attract diverse pollinating insects.
• Provide fruit trees or bushes like elderberry, currant, or honeysuckle.
• Avoid pesticide use so insects are available as food.
• Include a few trees that seep sap, like birch or maple.
• Allow some flowers to bloom without deadheading, so pollen is available.

With access to their natural food sources, hummingbirds can thrive without extra electrolytes added to their nectar. Their specialized diet provides the perfect nutrition and energy to power their endless motion.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds have very high metabolic rates that require intake of lots of carbohydrates from nectar. But nectar alone is low in electrolyte minerals needed for heart, nerve, and muscle function. Hummingbirds meet their electrolyte needs by getting sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium from supplementary foods like insects, pollen, fruit, and tree sap.

Research shows that adding electrolytes to artificial nectar does not boost the nutrition or performance of wild hummingbirds. In fact, an improper electrolyte balance could potentially be harmful. Hummingbirds are adapted to obtaining a complete diet from natural food sources.

By planting flowers, shrubs, and trees that provide hummingbirds with nectar, insects, pollen, sap, and fruit, you can create a natural habitat that meets their needs. This diet sustains the hummingbird’s amazing physiology without supplements required.