Tutorial - Make Your Own Hummingbird Nectar
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- This is a sweet video on how to make your own hummingbird food/nectar. It is much cheaper and really pretty easy to make!
For more videos like this one visit:
www.newandlostc...
Please subscribe and comment! Thanks!
Cheers
Willie - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
4 cups water, 1 cup sugar. Bring the water to a boil. Remove from heat. Add sugar. Stir until dissolved. Cool. Fill feeders. I only put about 8 ounces in my feeders in very hot weather and fill them often to prevent fermentation. I do not put red food coloring in the water. I have 11 feeders and keep them up from late March to mid October (in Maryland). This way the food is waiting for the birds when they get here in spring and the food is here for those birds migrating from the north in the fall. I also keep plenty of fresh water available for them. The nectar is about 70% to 80% of their diet. The rest is insects. They eat very tiny insects such as aphids and gnats. So a small garden of wild flowers is essential for them.
There is nothing more calming than sitting outside early In the morning with some hot coffee listening and watching beautiful birds :) great video who knew it could be so easy!
Yes, I bought ready mix in US at Dollar General store and am about out of it now. so I was looking for recipe, glad to find this. Now I will be moving to third floor, I hope I can get them up there too. This lady has it so pretty in front, lots of nature.
Sugar to water ratio should be 4:1, not 2:1. The latter is too concentrated and will cause fermentation and mold to grow more rapidly.
Also, water and sugar solution should be boiled for 1 - 2 minutes. This helps prevent mold and bacterial growth and may dissipate some of the chlorine present in most tap water.
Author should either delete or modify tutorial.
just fyi... while yes the "preferred" method is 4:1 but that does not mean 4 cups of water to 1 cup of sugar as 1 cup of water doesn't equal 1 cup of sugar. The "preferred" formula was written to produce around a 20% final solution but 4 cups water and 1 cup of sugar comes out to be about 10%... You can try this as each sugar manufacture is a lil different. To figure it out they give you the final result... 20% sucrose so the rest obviously is water and they give you an easy formula at 4:1 because that would equal 5 total parts and each part being 20%. Now mix the 4 cups of water with 1 cup of sugar and you should get 5 cups total to achieve a 20% solution but you'll probably end up with around 4 ½ cups total which is around 10%, So most likely you'll need another cup of sugar. Fyi~ the sucrose in plant nectar ranges from around 7% to 87% with a median of 51% so even a 1:2 formula is fine and even a 1:1 is fine during migration which helps them go longer without refueling.
"The latter is too concentrated and will cause fermentation and mold to grow more rapidly. " no not really but when you boil the water with the sugar it starts the fermentation process and that is very poor advise, Really you should use bottled, purified water so you can skip the boiling part. You don't give tap water to pet birds and should never give it to a hummer. If you have to then boil the water by itself and let it cool then just add the water and shake it a bit and it's good to go. Boiling water and sugar also thickens it which makes it harder for them to process it. I really don't get why everyone boils the water to "clean" it and puts the sugar in at the same time... that's just stupid as are most of the methods and opinions posted online. It's amazing that not one person or site besides myself even gets the equation right, lol
jamwerx Is there any site you can recommend for proper mixing? Was wondering also about the boiling of water and how water contains a lot of chemicals - does this include well water? (now I have concerns about high iron content in my well water) You seem to be very knowledgeable about chemistry along with hummers so Thank you for the information you provided!
The 4+1 mix is only about 12% sugar. It is the bare minimum to attract hummers but they have to work harder to get the calories they need. The 2+1 mix is 22% sugar and the birds don't have to process as much water through their system to extract the calories.
@@jamwerx I'm also shocked at the inadequate 'cleaning' of the feeder bottom. Running hot water through will not rid it of bacteria and mold.
you folks can make something so innocent extremely hateful!!! If there's a better way of making it simply share it but to belittle someone and call them horrible names is sad...
It's because it's not so innocent when you do it wrong and everyone does it wrong. The simple, short answer is: 4 cups of distilled or purified water (if you use tap water then A. don't preach not to use red dye as tap water has 100X the amount of chemicals THAT WE KNOW are bad over red dye #40 which they've been trying to proven harmful for around 60 years and still haven't. Not saying to use it but all this "DON"T USE RED DYE" is complete bs).
Boiling the water isn't going to help it much and adding the sugar to the boiling water starts the ferminataion cycle, ppl say it halts it which isn't true but then is funny because after that they'll say don't leave it in the sun because it will get hot and ferment... it's just common sense.
The formula is supposed to be around 21% sucrose and since we know it's a 4:1 formula then the other part needs to be the sugar but 1 cup of water doesn't equal 1 cup of sugar and in the end you need 5 equal parts. Most low quality sugars will have more "puff" to them, while higher quality sugars are more dense, so really you need to do a simple test to see how much sugar you really need.
Here's the test... pour 4 cups of water into a jug and then add 1 cup of the sugar you buy into the jug and shake it until it's disolved. After it's disolved then remeasure it, remember 4 parts plus 1 part will equal 5 parts, so you should have 5 cups of solution but unless you got a freakish brand of sugar then you'll probably end up with 4.5 cups of solution which will only be about 10% solution instead of the 21% you're aiming for, so at least for the brand of sugar I get it takes 4 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar to get to the 20% range. Most ppl blow this off and say "oh it's ok, i'll just use the old way", the issue there is that you aren't getting them enough and they have to continually come back for mose... which people think is great but they fail to realize that every trip back to a feeder could end in death and if they don't have enough glucose at night, they might not live thru the night. I actually make around a 7:4 ratio, execpt during migration when I'll do a 1:1... ppl bitch about that too but these "internet experts" don't have any medical knowledge or training just the internet and it's fine.
Thanks for this, I'm starting a flower garden and want to add a couple of feeders :)
Thanks for this. I just made my first batch. I live in Michigan and last year was my first year using a feeder. Though I only had one hummer visiting the feeder at the time I was still thrilled to even have the experience. This year I put the last of my store bought nectar in and the nectar dissipated quickly, suggesting maybe the presence of more than one bird? I don't know but I'm eager to find out. Thanks
The notion that any deviation from 1:4 sugar/water mix will cause dire things to happen to hummingbirds is simply NOT TRUE! A 1:4 mix is only 12% sugar by volume; the minimum needed to reliably attract hummers. At 1:4 the birds have to make more frequent feeder visits and their digestive system has to work harder to extract calories and expel excess water.
A 1:2 mix - 22% sugar - makes it easier for the birds to maintain calorie intake during the day. They also don't have to cram nectar at dusk for their evening calorie reserve, and it reduces the likelihood of the birds going into torpor overnight. There is research showing that hummers prefer concentrations above even 1:2.
Hummers have been successfully managing their calorie intake for centuries without our help so don't be afraid to experiment a little. If you over do it they'll simply stop visiting your feeders.
The percentages given here are based on the fact that 2cups of sugar - 16 dry ounces - dissolved in 4 cups of water yields 41 ounces of nectar - a 9 oz increase - 9/41 is about 22%.
Is the boiling of the water to get the chlorine out or kill the microscopic bugs in the water? It looks simple enough, and the big plus for me is I don't have to store nectar from the store in my refrigerator. I can make the amount I need. Thanks for your video.
Helped a lot, thank you!
By the way I saw some squirrels on the background
The National Audubon Society says 4c water to 1c sugar, so 20% sugar should be used.
Lady - First you say two cups of water to one cup of sugar - Then you say three cups of water and one and a half cups of sugar - Which formula are we suppose to use ?????? Guess it doesn't mater !
Are you serious? The ratio is 2:1, so both are the same ratio!
It just depends on how much you want to make.
I thought the ratio is 4:1, I am confused now.
She said 2:1 ratio meaning it will always be double the amount of water. So 2 cups of water is a cup of sugar, meaning 3 cups equals one and a half cups of sugar
You probably missed the mixture lessons in your elementary school math class... 2+1 or 3+1.5 THEY'RE BOTH THE SAME RATIO!!!!
Thanks for sharing..ive been havin these lil guys visitin me..but i have nothing to offer..not landscape no nothing..now ive got to do the right thing..😉
Has anyone ever heard of a hummingbird with diabetes? Hahahahahahahahahah! Heeheeheeeheeeheeer! Whoopie doo! Blessed little hummingbirds! I love those little helpers of God!
Can you elaborate on your comment? I don't understand what chemical products she is using, or what she is doing wrong.
i just googled hummingbird nectar and the 1st 10 hits all say 1 : 4 sugar water ratio!
just sayin.
dubbedcrazy This stupid bitch don't know how to make nector
The idiot proof way is 4:1 but that doesn't mean 4 cups water to 1 cup sugar and thats where everyone goes wrong. I cup of water doesn't equal 1 cup of sugar.
Thank you for the advice, I cannot wait to start attracting hummingbirds with the feeder my husband bought me! :-)
I use 4 every cup of water a cup of sugar
Nice video! 4 cups of water 1 cup of sugar is my to go measurement, according to hummingbirds experts this is what gets closer to the real nectar.
Wow...They like this better than the store bought nectar. My sister uses the store bought nectar, and I started to use this recipe, they will eat from mine more than hers, and empty mine a lot quicker than hers....thanks.
Store-bought nectar is usually a mix of sucrose & fructose. Fructose is cheaper and tastes sweeter but sucrose is what the birds need, fructose is harder for them to digest. Sucrose is the main component of natural nectar.
So easy thank you. Your house is to die for beautiful💞💞
I moved to a place that already had a feeder hanging in the kitchen window. I am very excited to see the birds now with your recipe! Thank You So Much!!
That's awesome have fun! Thanks for the comment!
I have used this recipe for years and my hummies just LOVE it
Recommended Ratio is 4:1 Water to Sugar for the nectar. Please do not microwave water. Just boil it on the stovetop or electric pot. No need to use chemical dyes. And clean once a week or as needed (sooner). Mold buildup will kill the hummers.
There is so much bad info on this video.
She didn't even wash the mold off the feeder.
If you're into making accusation - itemize please?!?
For sure!
You said 2 to 1 ratio everybody says one of the sugar four cup of water
The nature is so beautiful! :')
I did some experimenting and found that 2 cups water and 2/3 cup sugar gives me a closer 20% sugar solution using Walmart brand sugar. The reason I say this is because it yields exactly 2 and 1/2 cup total solution after mixing 2 cups water and 2/3 cup sugar.
Need to change it every 2 days so birds don't get sick.
Not true. Make sure no mold grows at the portals or in the feeder solution.
I'm surprising my mom with a humming bird feeder and I figured I should put something in it. 😂😂😂😂 Thank you!
Made my first batch! I did boil instead of microwave.....just didn't want to take a chance for those little babies. Getting ready to hang my feeder and cross fingers I get some thirsty hummers! Thanks for the video....You are lucky to have them in your life!
Thank you so kindly for helping Mother Nature along. I am sure you have made the proper adjustments.
I wonder how many here have even helped Mother Nature at all?
The fact that you care enough to help the birds (which we have lost 50% of since 1970!)
along and made videos about it says you are the kind (of) person we all could benefit from!
Thank you so much for caring enough to actually do something.
I have a habitat garden in El Cajon CA.
Much love and respect.
Please plant natives and keep up the good work.
You could make another vid to replace this one if you so desire.
Peace. Gotta go tend to some Monarch catterpillars.
bunch of angry bird ppl on here 😂
Boring
Thanks for the video. I live in the southwest and the Costa's hummers that visit my feeders prefer the higher sugar concentration to the point where I now have hummers year-round.
thanks for your help. Gonna go make some nectar and hope for some hummingbirds to visit.
What do you think about making red dye using beets? I know it isn't
necessary since the color of the feeder is already an attractant, but if I wanted to, what are your thoughts on dying it red using something natural like beets?
an easy way to make it red (and they will go crazy for it) is to make your own grenadine. It's pretty easy, you just need to get pure, no additives added pomegranate juice and mix it with a bit of sugar and add to mix. They love the taste but it spoils in 2-3 days
If you think you need to go through all that extra work & hassle - then have at it. Coloring is NOT necessary.
My hummers told me to give them 1 cup sugar - 1cup apple juice 100%pure - 1 cup grape juice 100%pure- 2 cups distilled water- 3 drops of CBD cannabis extract/ no THC. I have all the hummers over at my house , like an army of them or more like the air force!! Shut up and try it out before you say anything because these birds f..ing love it. I have done this for the last 3 years and I think it makes them grow even bigger, faster, stronger!! This is the new way if your listening or just bring on the damn experts ,I will tell them how to get here to my damn place and we will see won't we, I have the proof. So keep using what ever your using ,and I will do the same-- but I want you to know that I have all of the birds over here like you have never ever seen before in your life, the size of sparrows
why cant any of you folks agree on how much surgar
You are killing them with chemical products. I'll never dump
I'm an Aussie .. humming birds are very rare here in Australia .. I've never seen one but I've been looking around on TH-cam at them .. They are beautiful little birds that's for sure . I'm a little concerned that people are just giving them sugar water in those feeders😧 I can't imagine that it's good for them at all ! I see on some other ones that there is special hummingbird nectar available in a powdered form to mix with water . I'm sure that would be better for these gorgeous little creatures 😉
There are no hummingbirds in Australia. Sun-birds yes; hummingbirds no. Hummers are a western hemisphere phenomena...
That's what the recipe calls for lol Cane sugar & water. It's just a supplement to them, they get all their food/protein from bugs & flowers.
Thank you. 💙
If your nectar is brown or red would this still work? I've been using raw brown sugar and the hummingbirds don't seem to be coming :(
Hhj88 K i dont think they like brown sugar, use white cane sugar
plus it is BAD for them too much iron in it bad for kidneys
Brown sugar is brown because it contains molasses, which is high in calcium, magnesium, potassium & other minerals that hummers don't need or want.
thank you, I have to get one with the perches.
How many flowers have you seen with perches? They're not necessary. I have feeders with perches & feeders without. Some hummers will only drink while hovering - even at the feeders with perches.
Awesome video!
Little sword faced flutter ninjas.
Someone once said that if hummers were the size of crows it would be dangerous for us to be outside...
I use 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of vinegar to every teaspoon of water.
Wow, we sure have a lot of Ornithological dietitians here!
Yall read the 4x1 mixture on a website or in some old book and instantly think that is the be-all/end-all golden rule, yet you have zero biological knowledge to back it up. Can any of you explain the concentration of nectar from the various plants utilized throughout the vast territory of each species of hummingbird? Not to mention the impact of the concentration due to the season? No, you cannot.
Thanks for the video tutorial. You probably know, but your audio has room for improvement. At some point it gets better when you talk closer to the camera, so maybe you can try that for future vids, or just go online and get a shot-gun mic with the right connection for your camera. You can find some really cheap ones that will improve your audio considerable. ;-)
Ahh Qwitcher whinin' & make some hummingbird food!!!
WTF?!? Over... You gotta dad complex or what? The woman is showing how to feed hummers; NOT how to convert a kitchen into a sound stage... BTW you can be my dad if you want - I charge a fee - for $350 a day you can dad-splain to me whatever your little dad heart desires... You game??? I'll draw up the invoice...
I do every cup of water a cup of sugar and a tablespoon of honey I use warm tap water and you could use this 4 a wasp trap as well
My hummers told me to give them 1 cup sugar - 1cup apple juice 100%pure - 1 cup grape juice 100%pure- 2 cups distilled water- 3 drops of CBD cannabis extract/ no THC. I have all the hummers over at my house , like an army of them or more like the air force!! Shut up and try it out before you say anything because these birds f..ing love it. I have done this for the last 3 years and I think it makes them grow even bigger, faster, stronger!! This is the new way if your listening or just bring on the damn experts ,I will tell them how to get here to my damn place and we will see won't we, I have the proof. So keep using what ever your using ,and I will do the same-- but I want you to know that I have all of the birds over here like you have never ever seen before in your life, the size of sparrows..........cbd makes children stop having uncontrolled convulsions and live a life better....cbd makes hummers not fight and grow huge , healthier, happier, and they won't migrate, they will stay with you all year long like pets
PLEASE don't use the microwave!!!
Microwave ??? Your gonna kill the birds 😡😡😡😡
It's you are or you're nitwit. What has the source of heat got to do with affecting the birds ? She isn't putting the birds in the microwave. You're really stupid.
Idiot.
So it's just sugar water? Surely raw honey water would be better for them?
No, I read somewhere that honey is a no, no.
its to thick for them to process as quickly as they need it to
HONEY IS POTENTIALLY FATAL TO HUMMINGBIRDS!!! The sugar component of nectar is sucrose - the same as pure cane sugar - sucrose is easiest for hummingbirds to digest & convert to the energy they need to fly & stay warm....
Your recipe is very confusing to follow. I would not use microwave to make the nectar.
can I use red food coloring?