Hummingbirds are fascinating little birds that are a joy to watch. With their fast wing beats and ability to hover in midair as they drink nectar from flowers, it’s no wonder many people enjoy attracting hummingbirds to their yards. When it comes to feeding these energetic birds, the most common question is: What can I give hummingbirds to drink?
Quick Answers
The short answer is that hummingbirds can only drink nectar or a manufactured nectar substitute. Here are some quick facts to know:
- Hummingbirds have tongues specially adapted to lap up nectar.
- They cannot digest other liquids like juice, soda, honey, or milk.
- You can make your own nectar substitute by mixing 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Boil the water first and let cool before mixing.
- Do not add red dye, honey, sweeteners, or any other ingredients besides plain white sugar.
- Store unused nectar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Discard old nectar and clean the feeder before refilling.
The key is understanding that hummingbirds have unique dietary adaptations. While they will eagerly flock to homemade or store-bought nectar, other human drinks and sugars can be harmful or lethal. Follow recipes carefully and avoid anything other than water and white sugar.
Why Hummingbirds Need Nectar
To understand why hummingbirds can only drink nectar, it helps to look at their unique anatomy and feeding behaviors.
Specialized Tongues
Hummingbirds have slender, forked tongues that are perfectly designed to lap up liquid nectar. Their tongues have tube-like structures along the edges that allow nectar to move into the mouth through capillary action. When hummingbirds insert their tongues into flowers, the nectar travels up these tubes so it can be swallowed.
High Metabolism
Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolism and must consume a lot of energy. Their hearts can beat up to 1,200 times per minute. Because of their small size, they need to eat frequently throughout the day to meet their energy needs. Flower nectar provides an ideal fuel source that is packed with sugars in a liquid form that is easy to consume quickly.
Digestive System
The digestive system of hummingbirds is designed to process sugary nectar. They have intestines and livers that are larger than those of other birds relative to their size. This allows them to digest and store sugars very efficiently. They also excrete nitrogen in a liquid form rather than solid uric acid like other birds. All of these adaptations allow hummingbirds to derive maximum nutrition from nectar.
Dangers of Unnatural Sugars and Liquids
While hummingbirds thrive on flower nectar in the wild, they cannot process most other sugars and liquids that humans consume. Here are some of the dangers of offering hummingbirds the wrong types of drinks:
Fruit Juice
Fruit juices like orange, apple, or grape juice can be tempting to put in a hummingbird feeder, but they are not chemically similar enough to natural nectar. The difference in sugar and acidity levels can cause serious harm. Ingesting fruit juice may lead to intestinal distress, diarrhea, inhibitions in the ability to digest nutrients, or dangerous swings in blood sugar levels.
Honey
Honey is sometimes used in homemade nectar recipes, but it has a much different chemical composition compared to flower nectar. Honey can promote yeast and bacterial growth, causing spoiled nectar which can make birds sick. Honey also has a thicker consistency that may stick to hummingbirds’ tongues, making it difficult to swallow efficiently.
Artificial Sweeteners
Avoid artificial sweeteners like saccharin, sucralose, or aspartame in hummingbird nectar. These non-nutritive sweeteners do not provide actual food energy. Relying on them could lead to problems like hypoglycemia and electrolyte imbalances. The safety of artificial sweeteners also has not been tested extensively on hummingbirds.
Red Dye
Some people add red dye to their nectar thinking it will attract more hummingbirds. However, there is no evidence that the color makes a difference. Red dye may be harmful to hummingbird health, so it’s better to leave it out.
Soda or Sugary Drinks
Beverages made for human consumption like soda, sports drinks, or sweet tea contain chemical additives and have higher sugar concentrations than hummingbirds can safely process. Ingesting these drinks could easily overwhelm their digestive systems.
How to Make Safe Homemade Nectar
The best homemade nectar for hummingbirds can be made using just two ingredients – plain white sugar and water. Here is a simple recipe and directions:
Ingredients:
- 1 part white granulated sugar
- 4 parts water
Directions:
- Boil the water first, then let it cool. Heating the water helps the sugar dissolve.
- Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. For example, 1 cup of sugar to 4 cups water.
- Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Allow to cool before filling feeders.
- Store unused nectar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Change the nectar and clean feeders frequently.
Avoid using raw or brown sugar, honey, food coloring, or any other additions. Also be sure not to make the mixture too concentrated. Follow the 1:4 ratio carefully.
Choosing Commercial Nectar Products
If you don’t want to make nectar from scratch, there are also pre-made nectar mixes you can buy. Here are some tips for choosing one:
- Look for products specifically marketed for hummingbirds.
- Read labels closely to be sure they contain only sugar and water, without artificial sweeteners or dyes.
- Opt for nectars with a 20% sugar concentration, which is a 1:4 sugar to water ratio.
- Some bottled nectars come ready-to-use in the correct concentration.
- For powders, mix as directed and avoid making it stronger than instructions state.
Examples of reputable commercial nectar brands include Kaytee, Pennington, Perky-Pet, Birds Choice, and Homestead. You can find these products at many grocery stores, hardware stores, and online.
Feeder Care and Cleaning
Proper care and cleaning of hummingbird feeders is crucial for the health of your backyard birds. Here are some tips:
- Change nectar every 2-3 days in hot weather, or every 5-7 days in cooler temperatures. Ingredients like sugar can spoil quickly when left out.
- Discard old nectar down the drain instead of leaving it outside where it may attract ants and bees.
- Rinse feeders thoroughly before refilling. Use a bottle brush to remove residue.
- Every 1-2 weeks, deep clean feeders with hot water and vinegar or a mild, unscented soap. Rinse very thoroughly after cleaning.
- Allow feeders to fully dry before refilling with fresh nectar.
- Avoid using chemical cleaners, bleach, or detergents which can leave behind residues.
Following these best practices will help keep your feeders sanitary. Take down and thoroughly clean feeders periodically if you notice black mold or cloudiness, which indicate contamination.
Ideal Flowers for Hummingbirds
In addition to feeders, you can also attract hummingbirds by planting flowers with nectar they can feed from naturally. Some top choices include:
| Flower | Color | Bloom Time |
|---|---|---|
| Petunias | Pink, purple, red, white | Summer through Fall |
| Bee balm | Red, pink, purple, white | Mid to late summer |
| Fuchsias | Purple, red | Summer through Fall |
| Trumpet Vine | Orange, red | Summer |
| Cardinal Flower | Red | Mid to late summer |
| Zinnias | Red, orange, yellow, pink | Summer to Frost |
Choose a variety of flower colors and bloom times to provide nectar through the whole season. Plant in groups or clusters for easiest access. Deadhead spent blooms to promote more flowering.
FAQs
Can hummingbirds drink from a birdbath?
Hummingbirds will not usually drink from water sources like birdbaths or fountains since they get needed water from nectar. They may perch on the edges of birdbaths but rarely take direct sips.
What about raw sugar?
Raw sugar may contain trace minerals that can promote bacterial growth in nectar. Stick with plain white refined sugar only.
Can I use organic or natural sugar?
Brown sugar, coconut sugar, agave, and other organic sugars have different chemical compositions that may not properly digest in a hummingbird’s system.
Is food coloring OK?
Food coloring does not provide any health or nutritional benefits, and some dyes may be harmful. It’s best not to use any dyes or food colorings in hummingbird nectar.
Do hummingbirds drink rainwater?
Hummingbirds may sip small droplets of water after rain, but their main hydration comes from their nectar or sugar-water diet. They do not need alternate water sources.
Can hummingbirds drink from puddles?
It’s uncommon, but hummingbirds can occasionally drink from very shallow pools of fresh rainwater if their nectar sources run dry. However, puddles may contain contaminants so they are not an ideal water source.
What about mealworms for protein?
Some hummingbird species may eat small soft-bodied insects for essential protein. But mealworms are not necessary if your birds have adequate nectar and feeder access. Avoid dried mealworms which are difficult for hummingbirds to digest.
Conclusion
Part of the joy of having hummingbirds visit your yard is making sure you give them safe, nutritious nectar. By understanding their specialized diet and avoiding unnatural sugars, you can help meet their needs during the times they visit. A clean, properly mixed nectar solution along with vibrant flowers will create an enticing pitstop for these energetic flyers. Watching them buzz and hover as they lick up sweet nectar is a delight for any backyard nature lover.
