Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds in the world. Their ability to hover mid-air and drink nectar while flying sets them apart from other birds. Hummingbirds have evolved long, slender beaks that are perfectly adapted for accessing the nectar from flowers. In fact, their beaks and long, specially adapted tongues allow hummingbirds to retrieve nectar that no other creatures can reach.
But with the availability of commercial sugar water mixes, many people wonder if offering a hummingbird feeder with sugar water is preferable to natural nectar. Do hummingbirds like the taste of sugar water more than flower nectar? Or are they able to tell the difference? Understanding what hummingbirds prefer can help people provide the best diet when setting up backyard feeders.
What is nectar?
Nectar is a sweet liquid produced by plants. It is made up of three main ingredients:
- Water – This makes up the majority of nectar.
- Sugars – Fructose, glucose and sucrose are the main sugars found in nectar.
- Amino acids – Small amounts of amino acids add flavor.
The exact makeup of nectar varies by flower species. But in general, nectar is 20-40% sugars dissolved in water along with traces of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and oils that give each flower its unique taste profile.
Plants produce nectar to attract pollinator species like hummingbirds. When hummingbirds visit multiple flowers to drink nectar, they also transfer pollen from flower to flower. This allows the plants to be pollinated.
What is in sugar water?
Sugar water is simply a mixture of plain white sugar and water. The most common recipe is:
- 1 part white sugar
- 4 parts water
This creates a solution that is about 20% sugar, similar to many natural nectars. However, sugar water lacks the flavors, vitamins, minerals and amino acids found in nectar produced by flowers. It is only a source of carbohydrates in the form of sucrose.
Many people find sugar water to be an affordable and convenient alternative to bottled nectar solutions. It can be easily made at home by mixing granulated sugar with tap water. Commercial pre-mixed hummingbird food often contains only sucrose as well.
How do hummingbirds taste?
Hummingbirds have a very limited sense of taste compared to humans. They are unable to detect most flavors or seasonings. Instead, hummingbirds primarily taste sweet things.
Special receptors on a hummingbird’s tongue detect sugars. They cannot differentiate between types of sugars very well. While we may taste huge differences between sucrose (table sugar), fructose and glucose, a hummingbird likely identifies them all as generically sweet. This is why they can adapt to feeders with plain white sugar water.
However, hummingbirds do seem able to tell some difference between sugar water and more complex natural nectars. Even though the main sweet taste is similar, they can likely identify some of the subtle flavors from amino acids and oils in flower nectar.
Studies comparing sugar water and nectar preferences
Several studies have tested how hummingbirds respond when offered both plain sugar water and more natural “substitute nectars”:
Sugar preferences
In a study published in Functional Ecology, researchers tested hummingbird preferences by offering feeders with varying levels of sucrose, fructose and glucose. These are the three main sugars found in flower nectar. The hummingbirds showed some preference for higher fructose levels, which matches the slightly higher fructose content of many natural nectars. But all three sugars were consumed readily, suggesting hummingbirds do not strongly discriminate between types of sugars.
Sugar concentrations
A report in the Canadian Journal of Zoology found that broad-tailed hummingbirds preferred more dilute concentrations of sugar water over more concentrated solutions. This indicates using a moderate 1:4 sugar to water ratio provides an ideal sweetness level.
Nectar flavoring
In a study published in Biotropica, scientists tested how aroma influenced feeding choices. Hummingbirds were offered feeders with sugar water plus aroma extracts. The addition of aroma slightly increased the bird’s preferences for some extracts like lavender, suggesting an interest in nuanced flavor. However, plain sugar water was still highly preferred over no food at all.
Oils in nectar
Researchers added corn oil to sugar water to mimic the small amounts of oils found in true flower nectar. When given a choice in Bioscience, birds showed no preference between plain sugar water and sugar water with oils added. This indicates oils are not an important factor.
Feeder color
Scientists observed hummingbird feeding preferences at different colored feeders with identical sugar water. The color red was most preferred, followed by orange and yellow. Green and blue were the least visited. This shows hummingbirds use vision when approaching feeders.
| Study | Tested | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Functional Ecology | Sugar types | Slight preference for higher fructose |
| Canadian Journal of Zoology | Sugar concentration | Preferred more dilute sugar water |
| Biotropica | Nectar aromas | Aroma extracts mildly increased preference |
| Bioscience | Added oils | No preference for oils in sugar water |
| Color Preference | Feeder color | Preferred red, orange, yellow colors |
Do hummingbirds show a strong preference between plain sugar water and enhanced nectars?
The scientific evidence indicates that hummingbirds can tell some difference between plain sugar water and more complex nectar solutions. This is likely due to subtle taste differences from trace flavors, vitamins and minerals.
However, most studies found the differences in preference to be relatively small. Given the choice, hummingbirds will drink from feeders with added flavors or real flower nectar. But the research consistently shows birds still readily consume plain white sugar water.
This suggests hummingbirds do not have an overwhelming preference for natural nectar over basic sugar water. The slight taste differences between them are subtle enough that sugar water is still an appealing food source.
Why sugar water makes a good hummingbird feeder solution
Here are some reasons why sugar water remains a smart choice for hummingbird feeders:
It provides the main energy hummingbirds need
Hummingbirds get nearly all of their energy from sugary nectar. So they are adapted to seek out sweets. Since sugar water contains the same sucrose as most flower nectar, it meets a hummingbird’s primary nutritional requirement, which is a readily digestible source of carbohydrates.
It’s affordable and convenient
White sugar is an inexpensive ingredient available at any grocery store. By mixing it with tap water, anyone can whip up batches of hummingbird food on the cheap. There’s no need to purchase premade nectar blends. Sugar water is also easy to make in larger quantities for frequent refilling of feeders.
It has a longer shelf life than natural nectars
Simple sugar solutions last longer than homemade nectars made with fruit juices or other ingredients, which can ferment or grow mold more quickly. Properly stored sugar water can be refrigerated for 1-2 weeks.
It won’t attract bees and wasps
Bees and wasps are also attracted to many types of nectar. Using plain sugar water instead of a more complex solution prevents swarms of bees around your feeders competing with hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds won’t refuse it
Offering any sweet liquid in a feeder will attract hummingbirds. While they may prefer natural nectar when given a choice, research shows hummingbirds still happily drink plain sugar water. They will not turn up their nose at this basic energy source.
Tips for making sugar water for hummingbirds
When mixing up sugar water, follow these guidelines:
- Use a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water. This creates an ideal 20% sugar solution.
- Use plain white table sugar, not substitutes like honey or agave. Avoid added colors or flavors.
- Heat the water first to dissolve the sugar thoroughly.
- Let the mixture cool before filling feeders.
- Store unused sugar water in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Change the water in your feeder every few days, more often in hot weather.
With a good sugar water nectar and clean feeders, you can provide hummingbirds with the energy they need.
Conclusion
Research to date shows that hummingbirds can distinguish between plain white sugar water and the more complex, flavorful nectar from live flowers. However, the differences appear subtle enough that sugar water remains an appealing food source that provides the carbohydrates hummingbirds primarily crave.
While hummingbirds may show a slight preference for homemade nectar solutions made with additional ingredients, they readily accept plain sugar water. Given how affordable and convenient it is to make basic sugar water, this remains a smart choice for backyard hummingbird feeders. As long as the recipe is in the ideal sweetness range, hummingbirds will happily sip sugar water to fuel their high metabolisms.
