Hummingbird Nectar Recipe and Feeder Care Guide

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You don't need store-bought nectar. The recipe recommended by Audubon and most bird organizations is simple.

The recipe

• 1 part plain white table sugar to 4 parts water (for example, 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water).
• Stir until dissolved. Boiling briefly can help it keep a bit longer, but let it cool completely.
• Never use honey, brown sugar, raw sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
• Skip red dye. It's unnecessary; the red on the feeder attracts the birds.

Store extra in the refrigerator for up to about a week.

Cleaning schedule

Nectar spoils fast in heat. Change it every 1–2 days in hot weather and every 3–5 days in mild weather. Clean the feeder each time with hot water and a bottle brush; avoid soap residue. Cloudy nectar or black mold means it's overdue.

Choosing a feeder

• Saucer feeders are easy to clean and less prone to dripping. See saucer hummingbird feeders
• Look for parts that come fully apart and wide openings you can reach with a brush.
• A built-in ant moat stops ants. See ant moats

Timing

In much of the US and Canada, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive in spring and leave in early fall. Leaving a feeder up a couple of weeks after your last sighting helps late migrants; it won't keep them from migrating. Some areas (the West Coast and Gulf Coast) have hummingbirds year-round.

Related: How to Attract More Birds · Wildlife-Friendly Garden Plants