Hummingbirds returning in spring need a reliable source of energy, and a feeder filled with the right sugar water helps. There is no special “super nectar” formula. The standard recipe of one part white sugar to four parts water already sits close to the nectar in the flowers hummingbirds visit. Below is how to mix it, when a slightly stronger batch makes sense, and how to store it and keep your feeder clean through the season.

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The standard recipe: 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water

Mix one part refined white sugar with four parts water, for example 1/4 cup of sugar in 1 cup of water. This is the recipe recommended by Audubon, the Smithsonian and the Hummingbird Society, which calls it the closest match to natural flower nectar.

Studies of hummingbird-pollinated flowers put their nectar at roughly 20 to 25 percent sugar on average, with wide variation from plant to plant. A 1:4 mix lands in that general range. Penn State Extension notes that a weaker mix is less attractive to the birds, while a much stronger one may do them harm.

When a 1:3 mix is reasonable

A stronger batch is an option in a few narrow situations, not an everyday upgrade. Cornell Lab’s All About Birds says that during cold, rainy spells you can make the mix a bit stronger, up to about 1/3 cup of sugar per cup of water, and that this won’t hurt the birds. The Hummingbird Society likewise suggests three parts water for winter feeding, when the extra sugar also slows freezing.

In hot, dry weather, go back to 1:4 or weaker, since birds then need the water as much as the sugar. No major bird organization recommends going stronger than 1:3.

Use plain white sugar only

Ordinary refined white table sugar is the only sweetener to use. Skip brown, raw, organic and turbinado sugars, which can retain molasses and iron. The Hummingbird Society warns that iron is toxic to hummingbirds.

Also skip powdered sugar, which contains cornstarch, and corn syrup, according to the Smithsonian’s Migratory Bird Center. Never use honey or artificial sweeteners. Audubon notes that honey encourages dangerous fungal growth, and Penn State Extension warns that fermented honey can cause a fatal fungal disease.

Skip red dye and other additives

Leave out food coloring. The red parts of a feeder are enough to draw hummingbirds in, and natural flower nectar is clear. All About Birds says there is no reason to add red dye, and Audubon and the Smithsonian both call it unnecessary and possibly harmful.

Don’t add vitamins, electrolytes, fruit juice or protein supplements either. Sugar and water are all the feeder needs to provide. Hummingbirds get their protein, fats and minerals by catching small insects and spiders, which Audubon describes as an essential part of their diet.

How to mix it

Stir the sugar into the water until it is fully dissolved and the liquid is clear. Warm water makes this faster.

Boiling is optional. The Smithsonian says the solution does not need to be boiled as long as the sugar dissolves completely. The Hummingbird Society says boiling can remove impurities and helps if you plan to store a batch, and Audubon and Penn State Extension suggest bringing the water to a boil before adding sugar. Whichever method you use, let the nectar cool to room temperature before filling the feeder.

Storing extra nectar

Leftover nectar keeps in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week, according to both the Hummingbird Society and the Smithsonian. Label the container with the date so you know when to discard it.

Throw out any stored batch that looks cloudy or shows mold. Before refilling a feeder, let refrigerated nectar return to room temperature, as Audubon advises. Making small batches that you use up within a few days is the simplest way to avoid waste.

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How often to change the nectar

Sugar water spoils faster as temperatures rise. The Hummingbird Society suggests this schedule:

• Below 60°F: about once a week
• 60 to 70°F: every 5 to 6 days
• 70 to 80°F: every 3 to 5 days
• 80 to 90°F: every 2 days
• Above 90°F: daily or every other day

Replace the nectar immediately if it turns cloudy or you see mold, whatever the calendar says. Feeders in direct sun may need changing sooner.

Clean the feeder at every refill

Empty and wash the feeder each time you change the nectar rather than topping it off. Old sugar water left in the feeder contaminates the fresh batch.

The Hummingbird Society recommends scrubbing with hot water and a bottle brush, then rinsing with a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water and letting the parts air-dry. Audubon suggests hydrogen peroxide or a weak vinegar solution and advises against dish soap. If you spot mold, clean the feeder right away and use a small brush on the feeding ports.

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When to put feeders out in spring

Hang your feeder about a week before hummingbirds usually arrive in your area, as Audubon recommends. Early migrants find fuel when few flowers are open, and you are ready for the first arrivals. Local bird clubs and online migration maps can help you judge typical arrival dates where you live.

Until visitors show up, change the nectar on the same temperature-based schedule even if none of it has been drunk. Planting native flowers that bloom in spring gives the birds a natural food source alongside the feeder.

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