Quick Answer
No, hummingbird nectar is not recommended for bees. Hummingbird nectar contains a much higher ratio of sugar to water compared to natural flower nectar. This can be harmful to bees over time. Bees have different nutritional needs than hummingbirds. It’s best to stick to plain white sugar water or honey water mixtures when feeding bees.
What is Hummingbird Nectar?
Hummingbird nectar is a liquid mixture made specifically to feed hummingbirds. It typically contains:
– White granulated sugar
– Water
– Optional electrolytes
The basic ratio is 4 parts sugar to 1 part water. Some common ratios are:
– 1⁄4 cup sugar to 1 cup water
– 1 part sugar to 4 parts water
This creates a very sweet, thick, syrupy nectar. The high sugar concentration helps provide hummingbirds with the quick energy they need to rapidly flap their wings.
Hummingbirds have evolved to thrive on flower nectar with sugar concentrations between 10-40%. This is much sweeter than the nectar in most backyard flowers, which tends to be in the 15-20% sugar range.
So hummingbird feeders are essentially “super-sweet” fuel stations for these busy birds. The highly concentrated sugar allows the birds to refuel efficiently so they can continue visiting hundreds of flowers per day.
Typical Ingredients in Hummingbird Nectar
– White refined sucrose sugar
– Water
– Electrolytes – These are optional. Some commercial mixes include electrolytes (like salts and minerals) to replenish the nutrients that hummingbirds burn.
Reasons for the High Sugar Concentration
Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolisms. Their hearts can beat up to 1,200 times per minute and they flap their wings up to 70 times per second.
This rapid energy burn requires quick calories. Hummingbirds get those calories from nectar sugar which is rapidly converted to energy.
If hummingbird nectar was diluted to 10-20% sugar like natural flowers, the birds would have to consume a lot more liquid volume to get the energy they need.
The thicker 40% concentration allows efficient energy delivery in a smaller volume. This enables the birds to minimize their feeding time and continue visiting thousands of flowers daily.
So in summary, the thick sugar ratio helps hummingbirds get energy quickly so they can support their rapid heart rates, wing flapping, and busy activity levels.
How Hummingbird Nectar Differs from Natural Nectar
There are a few key differences between commercial hummingbird nectar and the natural nectar produced by flowers:
Sugar Content
– Hummingbird nectar is usually 40% sugar or more. This is higher than most natural flower nectars.
– Natural flower nectars are typically 10-20% sugar. Some species can have up to 40% sugar, but this is less common.
Sugar Types
– Hummingbird nectar is made from pure white granulated sucrose.
– Flowers produce varying blends of sugars including sucrose, glucose and fructose. The exact sugar ratios vary by plant species.
Micronutrients
– Hummingbird nectar only contains sugar and water.
– Natural flower nectars contain micronutrients like amino acids, lipids, vitamins, minerals and pigments. These provide nutritional value beyond pure carbohydrates.
So in summary, commercial hummingbird nectars have far more sugar and far fewer nutrients compared to natural flower nectars adapted for pollinators like bees.
Do Bees Eat Hummingbird Nectar in the Wild?
In the wild, bees don’t really consume much hummingbird nectar, for a few reasons:
– **Different Flowers** – Bees and hummingbirds tend to feed on different flower species. Bees get nectar from shallow flowers like daisies, while hummingbirds feed from long tubular flowers.
– **Flower Structure** – Even if bees do visit hummingbird flowers, the flower shape physically prevents bees from accessing the nectar. Hummingbird flowers have evolved long, narrow openings perfectly suited to hummingbird beaks but too narrow for bee tongues.
– **Energy Efficiency** – Bees are more energy efficient at feeding on lower sugar nectars of 5-20% concentration. It would take more energy for bees to suck up thick, viscous 40% hummingbird nectar.
So anatomically and physiologically, bees and hummingbirds are adapted to feed from different flower types. There isn’t much natural nectar overlap between these pollinators.
However, in backyards where hummingbird feeders are present, bees may opportunistically drink the nectar if they can access it. This is an unnatural situation though.
Why Hummingbird Nectar is Not Ideal for Bees
Here are a few reasons why hummingbird nectar is not the best choice when feeding bees:
Too Much Sugar
The 40%+ sugar content in hummingbird nectar is higher than bees need. Too much sugar can shorten bee lifespans.
In one study, bees fed 50% sugar water lived 14-15 days on average. Bees fed nectar-like concentrations of 25% lived about 29 days on average.
Too much sugar causes chronic hyperglycemia which can impair immune function and shorten life in bees.
Nutritional Imbalance
Hummingbird nectar lacks the amino acids, vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients that are present in natural nectars.
While the carbohydrates provide energy, bees also need balanced nutrition to thrive. Hummingbird nectar doesn’t provide that.
Too Viscous
Thick, syrupy hummingbird nectar requires more energy for bees to suck up and ingest. This unnecessary exertion can take a toll over time.
Bees do best on thinner nectars closer to natural concentrations around 15-20% sugar.
Risk of Mold
The thick sugar concentration makes hummingbird nectar prone to fermentation and mold growth. Spoiled nectar can make bees sick.
May Attract Wasps and Ants
The strong, sweet odor of hummingbird nectar can attract unwanted sugar-loving pests like wasps, yellowjackets and ants. These insects compete with bees and can be more aggressive.
Healthier Feeding Options for Bees
Here are some healthier nectar alternatives when feeding bees:
Plain White Sugar Water
A basic 1:1 sugar:water ratio provides bees with carbohydrates without excess sugar.
The thin, watery texture also requires less energy for bees to eat it.
Honey Water
Mixing 2 parts water to 1 part honey approximates natural flower nectar sugar concentrations.
Honey also provides some micronutrients lacking in pure sugar water.
Pollen Patties
Pollen provides protein, lipids, vitamins and minerals to balance out the carbohydrate-rich nectar diet. Pollen patties are ideal if you want to fully nourish bees.
Flower Nectar
Letting bees feed on nectar from blooming flowers in your yard is the most natural diet.
Diverse flower species provide nutritional variety.
The Bottom Line
While bees may opportunistically sip hummingbird nectar from feeders, it’s far from ideal nutrition for them. The excess sugar concentration can be harmful in the long run.
It’s best to stick with plain sugar water, honey water or flowers when feeding bees. The ideal sugar concentration is closer to 15-20% – much lower than the 40%+ in hummingbird nectar.
Hummingbirds and bees have evolved to thrive on different diets. Their nutritional needs don’t overlap very closely.
So give the high test fuel to the busy hummingbirds, and stick with natural nectar substitutes when feeding hardworking honey bees.
