Hummingbird food, also known as nectar, is an important part of feeding hummingbirds. Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and need to consume a lot of energy to support their rapid heart rates and constant motion. Because of this, having a good quality hummingbird food is essential for attracting and feeding hummingbirds. One question that often comes up is whether store-bought hummingbird food contains preservatives. In this article, we’ll take a look at the ingredients in store-bought hummingbird nectar and discuss whether preservatives are typically included.
Typical ingredients
The main ingredients in store-bought hummingbird food are:
- Sugar – Usually white granulated sugar. This provides the main energy source for hummingbirds.
- Water – Plain water makes up the majority of the nectar solution.
- Electrolytes – Some brands add electrolytes like salts and minerals to replace those lost by hummingbirds through their urine and feces.
- Artificial colors – Red or other colors are added to attract hummingbirds visually.
- Preservatives – In some cases, preservatives are added to extend shelf life.
So while sugar and water make up the bulk of store-bought nectars, other ingredients like electrolytes and artificial colors may be added as well. The key question is whether preservatives are commonly added.
Are preservatives used?
Many commercial hummingbird nectar mixes do not contain any additional preservatives. Once mixed with water, the nectar solution contains mostly sugar and water, which do not require preservatives for preservation. The high sugar concentration creates an environment inhospitable to microbial growth.
However, some brands of hummingbird food do contain preservative ingredients to extend shelf life of the concentrate or mixed nectar solution. Common preservatives used include:
- Sodium benzoate
- Potassium sorbate
- Citric acid
Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate prevent mold, yeast, and bacterial growth. Citric acid lowers the pH to make the solution more acidic and less hospitable to microbes.
So while not all brands contain preservatives, some manufacturers do opt to include them to extend shelf life. The use of preservatives can vary by brand.
Are preservatives necessary?
For hummingbird nectar, preservatives are not strictly necessary for proper nutrition. Freshly mixed nectar provides all the energy hummingbirds require without added preservatives.
The main purpose of adding preservatives is to extend the shelf life of pre-mixed solutions or concentrates. This provides convenience for consumers by allowing unused product to be stored for longer periods of time.
However, even without preservatives, basic sugar water mixes can last 5-7 days after mixing if properly stored in the refrigerator. And making fresh nectar weekly is ideal for providing the freshest product.
So while preservatives in hummingbird nectar are not mandatory, they allow for longer storage which some find useful. Their inclusion comes down to manufacturer preference.
Are preservatives harmful to hummingbirds?
The preservatives used in commercial hummingbird nectars are generally recognized as safe for both human and animal consumption by regulatory agencies. This includes sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and citric acid which may be found in some brands of store-bought nectar.
Therefore, these specific preservatives are not considered intrinsically harmful to hummingbirds when consumed in the small amounts contained in nectar products. There is no evidence they cause adverse health effects when hummingbirds ingest them at approved levels.
With that said, any non-essential additions to hummingbird food could theoretically be avoided as a safety precaution. But overall, the very low levels of approved preservatives added to some nectar products do not appear to pose any substantial risk based on current research.
Making your own preservative-free nectar
If you wish to avoid preservatives entirely, making your own basic hummingbird food at home is simple:
- Use a ratio of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. No need to boil, just stir to dissolve.
- Avoid adding food coloring, as it provides no nutritional value.
- Store unused portion in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Wash and refill feeders with fresh nectar weekly.
This basic recipe gives hummingbirds a natural, preservative-free food source. Making nectar fresh each week provides the healthiest, purest nutrition.
Conclusions
To summarize key points:
- Some brands of store-bought hummingbird nectar contain added preservatives like sodium benzoate, while others do not.
- Including preservatives allows for longer shelf life but is not an absolute necessity.
- Approved preservatives used are considered safe, but homemade nectar avoids any additions.
- Making your own fresh sugar water weekly provides natural, preservative-free nectar.
So while preservatives may be added by some manufacturers, they are not required for hummingbird health. Homemade nectar provides a simple approach to avoiding additives altogether. The key is to ensure nectar is always freshly made and changed frequently for optimal nutrition.
