
After two weeks of no activity, they can be taken down for the winter. Take hummingbird feeders down in mid-to-later October. Hummingbirds cannot digest honey as efficiently as nectar, and honey will ferment and grow mold more quickly than regular sugar.ĭuring spring and fall migration a more concentrated mixture of 1 part sugar to 3 parts water will provide extra calories hummers need to make longer flights, and will not harm the birds. Never use artificial sweeteners, brown sugar, raw sugar, food coloring, or honey. Sugar: Use only natural table sugar either the cane or beet variety.

Do not use distilled water or water processed through a water softener. Conversely, water softeners can add certain salts and minerals to water. Distilled water is stripped of natural minerals. Water: Use only regular tap water, well water, or bottled spring water. 1 part sugar to 4 parts water Warm the water in the microwave (it doesnt need to boil - just warm enough to dissolve the sugar). Cover and refrigerate extra nectar for up to two weeks. Hummingbird cake is traditionally made with three layers of banana spice cake, topped with cream cheese. With either method, let cool completely prior to filling your feeder. If you use extra fine sugar, no boiling or heating may be needed. Turn, top-side up, onto a wire rack lined with baking paper. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted into centre of cakes comes out clean. Therefore, it is not necessary to boil the nectar once the sugar has been dissolved. Divide mixture evenly between prepared pans.

While boiling the water will help slow the fermentation of the nectar initially, the nectar in hummingbird feeders is contaminated as soon as it is sipped by a bird.

If using the boil method, add a bit more water to account for water evaporation. Hang up your feeder outside and wait for the hummingbirds to come. Heat to a rolling boil, and boil for three minutes. Mix sugar and boiling water until sugar is dissolved. Using hot tap water, stir sugar into the water and stir for 3 minutes, or until all sugar is dissolved.Ģ. Hummingbird Nectar Recipe Preparation Methods:ġ. Calculate hummingbird nectar recipe sugar value using hummingbird food feeder calculator online.
