Hummingbirds: Making Your Own Nectar

Lots of people love to watch birds going about their business, alone or in groups. It can be a great way to relax out on your portico. If you enjoy this kind of scene, then watching hummingbirds as they get ready to settle down for the night could be just the thing.

If you would like tiny hummingbirds to call in at your place, then you can encourage them by placing bid feeders around your garden. It is best to use feeders which are red in color, because hummingbirds are attracted by this color. Place them strategically in spots where hummingbirds might want to settle. If you place several feeders, then you reduce the likelihood of fighting between birds who are claiming their own territory.

Now you can place home made nectar in the feeders, in order to attract hummingbirds. Here is a delightful recipe for you to try:-

Ingredients:

-White sugar- Cane sugar should be used rather than beet sugar, because cane is beneficial to the little birds, as it gives them a great energy boost. The carbohydrates which abound in sugar help the hummingbirds to maintain their fast metabolism (one that humans might wish to replicate!)

-Water. The water should be from a natural source, such as rainwater or dewdrops, and supplied in a man-made birdbath if at all possible. You should not use packaged mineral water or distilled water, because hummingbirds are only used to water from natural sources. If you have access to it, you could also use well water, which is pure water packed with rich minerals which can be beneficial to the birds. If you have no other option (which may well be the case if you live in the city), then you can use boiled water. The water should be free of chlorine.

-DO NOT add any red coloring to the water, even though the color does attract the birds, because this can be harmful to the hummingbirds' health, possibly leading to liver damage or bill tumors, as well as digestive problems. It is sufficient for you to use a feeder which is red in color, to attract the birds. The nectar you make should in fact be free of any color or odor.

Method:

-Mix together one part of sugar to four parts of water, (eg. a cup of water with 1/4 cup of sugar), and place in the refrigerator to cool.

-Fill the feeder about a third full.

-Change the mixture every few days.

-Be careful to keep the feeder free of dirt. You can clean it with liquid soap and hot water, to prevent bacteria building up and causing infection. Wash thoroughly and then re-fill with nectar.

If you follow these guidelines, you should have hummingbirds visiting you every year, and you should also help them to stay healthy.