For the safest hummingbird nectar, birders should offer the sweetest nectar only when necessary, such as early in the morning or late in the evening, while switching out to the classic hummingbird nectar recipe for most of the day. Sweeter nectar will also stay liquid at colder temperatures, ensuring that critical food is available to hungry hummers just when they need it most.īecause hummingbirds will naturally drink nectar that is up to 30 percent sugar, offering slightly sweeter nectar for limited times is not severely detrimental. Sweeter nectar can also be useful in cold snaps, when hummingbirds need extra calories to keep warm overnight as temperatures drop. The extra energy offered by a sweeter solution can give migrating hummingbirds an energy boost as they’re traveling. There are times when slightly sweeter nectar can actually be helpful to hummingbirds. It is also important to remember that even if one hummingbird feeder offers too-sweet nectar, hummingbirds are also visiting many natural flowers and other food sources, so their diet is more balanced than just what is offered from a single feeder. These effects have not been thoroughly studied, however, and more research is needed to determine if sweeter nectar can cause lasting health problems for these tiny birds. Nectar with more sugar is more difficult to digest, and it is possible that if hummingbirds are only drinking very sweet nectar, it could cause liver or kidney damage, especially as the birds will be ingesting less water at the same time. Nectar with higher sugar levels can also ferment more quickly, becoming dangerous to hungry birds. Sweeter nectar may also crystalize more easily, clogging feeder ports. Sweeter nectar, for example, will more easily attract bees and wasps – these insects prefer sweeter solutions – and stinging insects can overwhelm a hummingbird feeder, driving the birds away. While hummingbirds can drink sweeter nectar, sugar water that is too sweet can cause problems both for the birds as well as the birders who offer it. If the nectar is slightly less sweet or slightly sweeter than typical, hummingbirds will still enjoy it. Because the birds will visit a variety of flowers with different sugar concentrations, however, the recipe is a forgiving one and precise measurements aren’t necessary to make hummingbird nectar. The standard hummingbird sugar water recipe of one part sugar to four parts water yields a solution of roughly 20 percent sugar, most closely mimicking the natural floral nectar concentration hummingbirds prefer. Natural floral nectar that ranges from 20-25 percent sucrose is hummingbirds’ favorite, but the birds will regularly visit flowers that offer up to 30 percent sugar or even slightly higher. Studies have shown that hummingbirds typically prefer flowers that offer mostly sucrose, the same type of sugar found in ordinary granulated table sugar. The concentration of sugar and the exact proportions of different sugars varies in different flowers, and can also be affected by recent rainfall, soil quality, plant health, and the freshness of the nectar. Natural nectar found in flowers is a solution of water and different sugars, primarily glucose, fructose, and sucrose, along with trace minerals and proteins. Sweeter nectar isn’t always better, however, and it is essential to keep hummingbirds’ best interests in mind when preparing nectar. Be sure to clean all small nooks and creases of a feeder, because even a small amount of leftover debris can contaminate a new batch of nectar.All birders know that hummingbirds have a sweet tooth – even though birds have no teeth – and it can be tempting to offer ever-sweeter nectar in an attempt to attract more hummingbirds and offer them more concentrated energy. Clean and sterilize nectar feeders with every refill to avoid any immediate contamination that would start fermentation right away.Morning sun is cooler, but avoid full sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Position hummingbird feeders in cooler, shaded areas out of direct afternoon sunlight, when the day's heat is more likely to promote faster fermentation and spoilage.If larger quantities are made, store leftover, unused nectar in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days to keep it fresh before use. Make nectar in smaller quantities and only make as much as is needed to refill feeders.These feeders will need more frequent refills, but the smaller quantities of nectar are less likely to ferment before they are used. This will ensure more nectar is drunk before it has a chance to ferment. Use smaller hummingbird feeders that use less nectar.The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
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