Quick Answer
It’s generally fine to give hummingbirds refrigerated nectar as long as a few precautions are taken. The main thing is to avoid chilling the nectar too much, as very cold nectar can cause hypothermia in hummingbirds. Ideal nectar temperature is between 60-80°F. Allow refrigerated nectar to come to room temperature before putting it out, and change it frequently to prevent spoilage. With some care, refrigeration can slow spoilage and allow nectar to be conveniently stored.
What temperature should hummingbird nectar be?
The optimal temperature for hummingbird nectar is between 60-80°F. This matches the temperature of natural nectar in flowers that hummingbirds are adapted to. Giving nectar that is cooler than 60°F can cause hypothermia in hummingbirds since their high metabolism depends on maintaining a 104°F body temperature. Very warm nectar above 80°F can promote bacterial spoilage. So room temperature nectar between 60-80° is best for hummingbirds.
Why does nectar temperature matter for hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds have exceptionally high metabolisms and normal body temperatures around 104°F. They depend on consuming large quantities of sugary nectar throughout the day to provide enough quick energy to power their wings during flight.
If they consume nectar that is too cold, this can lower their core body temperature. Very cold nectar below 50°F can induce a dangerous condition called hypothermia. Hypothermia impairs their ability to fly and seek out more food. In severe cases it can be fatal.
Providing nectar at room temperature or slightly warmed avoids these issues. Hummingbirds are adapted to natural flower nectar temperatures in the 60-80°F range and do well consuming nectar in this range.
Is it OK to refrigerate hummingbird nectar?
It’s generally fine to refrigerate hummingbird nectar as long as a few precautions are taken:
- Don’t chill it too much. Keep refrigerated nectar between 60-70°F if possible.
- Allow refrigerated nectar to come to room temperature before putting out for hummingbirds.
- Change it frequently, every 2-3 days, since chilling slows but doesn’t prevent spoilage.
The main benefit of refrigeration is that it can slow down spoilage from bacteria and yeasts. This allows the nectar to be conveniently stored and prevents having to make fresh batches every day. Just be sure to moderate the chilling and change it out regularly.
How to properly refrigerate hummingbird nectar:
Follow these tips for safely refrigerating hummingbird nectar:
- Mix up fresh room temperature nectar and refrigerate for storage.
- Don’t let nectar get colder than 60°F in the fridge.
- Before putting out, let it come to room temperature, or warm slightly if needed.
- Replace refrigerated nectar every 2-3 days.
- Store unused nectar in a sealed container in the fridge.
- Clean feeders thoroughly between batches.
The key things are avoiding excessive chilling and frequently changing out the nectar to limit bacterial growth. With some care, refrigeration can be used to conveniently store nectar.
How long does hummingbird nectar last in the fridge?
The shelf life of refrigerated hummingbird nectar is about 2-3 days. The cold temperatures of the refrigerator slow down microbial growth and fermentation, extending the lifespan of premixed nectar. However, refrigeration does not completely prevent spoilage.
Yeasts and bacteria that cause nectar to spoil can still gradually multiply in the fridge. And chemical changes like crystallization still eventually occur. So refrigerated nectar should be replaced every 2-3 days to ensure freshness.
Any unused nectar can be properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days as long as it hasn’t been put out for hummingbirds. But once at room temperature and exposed to hummingbird feeders, it should be changed every 2-3 days.
Signs that refrigerated hummingbird nectar has spoiled:
Look for these signs that refrigerated nectar has gone bad and needs to be discarded:
- Cloudiness
- Slimy texture
- Fermented smell
- Mold or debris in nectar
- Crystallized sugars
Even in the fridge, yeasts and bacteria will gradually cause nectar to degrade. Sticking to the 2-3 day timeframe helps avoid spoilage. Discard nectar at the first signs of clouding, smells, debris, etc. Clean feeders thoroughly before refilling.
Can you freeze hummingbird nectar?
It’s not recommended to freeze homemade hummingbird nectar. Freezing causes the sugars in the nectar to crystallize and separate. This results in a watery, icy slush when thawed that lacks the proper nutrients for hummingbirds.
However, there are some commercially made instant powdered nectar concentrates designed to be frozen into ice cubes. These contain stabilizers and emulsifiers that help the sugars stay evenly mixed when frozen. Check product labeling to verify whether a commercial mix can be safely frozen or not.
For standard 4:1 white sugar and water nectar, it’s best not to freeze it. Refrigeration is a safer method for homemade nectar storage. Keep unused nectar in the fridge no more than 5-7 days and change feeder nectar every 2-3 days.
Why freezing causes problems with nectar:
Freezing and thawing homemade hummingbird nectar can cause problems:
- Sugars crystallize when frozen, separating from water
- Thawed nectar becomes icy, watery, lacks nutrition
- Can contribute to hypothermia if fed freezing cold
- Doesn’t have stabilizers that allow proper freezing
Unless specially formulated for freezing, it’s best to avoid it. The resulting thawed nectar will not have the proper nutritional profile for hummingbirds. Refrigerating gives a safer shelf life extension without ruining the nectar’s consistency.
Should you warm up refrigerated hummingbird nectar?
It’s a good idea to gently warm refrigerated hummingbird nectar before putting it out. Remove nectar from the fridge and let sit on the counter until it reaches room temperature, which takes about an hour. To speed warming, place the container in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
The goal is to get the nectar in the ideal 60-80°F range before putting in feeders where hummingbirds can access it. This prevents chilling the tiny birds when they feed.
If the nectar feels cool to the touch, briefly warming it to around 70°F is recommended. Don’t overheat it past 80°F since high temperatures also have downsides. With some simple warming, refrigerated nectar can be conveniently used without risk of hypothermia.
Ways to safely warm chilled hummingbird nectar:
- Let sit on counter to slowly reach room temperature
- Place in warm water bath for 10-15 minutes
- Briefly heat sealed container in microwave
- Set feeder in sunlight to warm nectar
- Never microwave nectar itself
The key is gently raising the nectar temperature to the optimal 60-80°F range. With care, refrigerated nectar can be warmed up before serving to hummingbirds.
Can hummingbirds get sick from bad nectar?
Yes, hummingbirds can develop severe illnesses from drinking spoiled nectar. Their tiny size makes them vulnerable. Moldy, fermented nectar contains toxins, bacteria, and fungi that can cause life-threatening conditions:
- Aspergillosis – Fungal infection of lungs and air sacs
- Candidiasis – Yeast infection of crop and digestion
- Sour crop – Bacterial fermentation and acidification of crop
Symptoms of sickness include lethargy, labored breathing, poor flight control, and tufts of feathers missing around the beak. Prevent these diseases by changing nectar frequently and cleaning feeders thoroughly. Sick birds require rehabilitation.
How spoiled nectar makes hummingbirds sick:
Microbes growing in old, spoiled nectar can infect hummingbirds and cause serious illnesses:
- Mold releases toxins that damage organs
- Bacteria overgrow and ferment in the crop
- Yeasts multiply, causing crop infections
- Fungal spores embed in lungs, causing aspergillosis
These conditions are often fatal without proper treatment. Good nectar hygiene of changing it every 2-3 days prevents microbial overgrowth and protects hummingbird health.
Conclusion
In summary, it is generally fine to give hummingbirds refrigerated nectar with some precautions:
- Avoid chilling nectar below 60°F
- Warm chilled nectar up to 60-80°F before putting out
- Change refrigerated nectar every 2-3 days
- Never freeze homemade nectar
- Watch for signs of spoilage like cloudiness
Refrigeration can help prolong nectar shelf life for convenient storage between batches. But be sure to moderate the temperature, change it frequently, and warm to room temperature before serving. With care, refrigerated nectar can be safely provided to hummingbirds. But freezing homemade nectar is risky and not recommended. Proper nectar hygiene prevents serious illnesses in hummingbirds that rely on this vital energy source.