How to Make Hummingbird Food?
The moment you see the hummingbird hovering over your balcony, even your breathing should be gentle—these little fairies flapping their gem-like wings, as if they had flown directly out of a fairy tale.
From secret sugar water to attraction techniques, this guide will help you to retain these little pilots in your backyard.
What do hummingbirds usually eat?
Hummingbirds usually live on nectar, and the sugar in the nectar is their main source of energy. They especially like plants with brightly colored flowers, such as red, orange, and pink.
For example, these are typical plants that hummingbirds like:
· Fuschia: The drooping bell-shaped flowers are mostly red-purple and rich in nectar.
· Agastache: The long tubular flower spikes have a minty fragrance and are usually purple, orange, or pink in color. Usually with bright red tubulor flowers.
· Salvia Coccinea: Usually with bright red tubulor flowers.
· Lantana: The small flowers in clusters have a gradually changing color, and the nectar is very sweet.
Besides, hummingbirds occasionally prey on small insects and spiders to obtain protein and other nutrients.
How much does a hummingbird eat in a day?
To maintain their high-energy lifestyle, hummingbirds need to consume food equivalent to twice their body weight every day. Take a red-throated hummingbird as an example. It drinks about 12 milliliters of sugar water a day, which is equivalent to a human drinking 400 cans of cola every day.
They usually visit thousands of flowers in a day, and each time they suck nectar, it only takes a few seconds. They are simply super gourmets! These lovely little things have highly developed spatio-temporal memory abilities. They can remember the locations of the flowers they have visited and return quickly even if they are several kilometers apart.
It is worth mentioning that the tongue of a hummingbird is very flexible and can quickly extend and retract. When sucking nectar, they will first extend their long beaks into the flowers and then enter the deep part of the flowers through their tongues, looking just like a long "straw."
What's more interesting is that the tongue of a hummingbird is actually forked, and its shape looks particularly like the letter "Y". When hummingbirds come into contact with nectar, their tongues will be pulled open like zippers and then retract to extract the nectar. Such a tongue structure makes them more efficient in absorbing nectar. They truly live up to their reputation as the "honey-absorbing experts" in nature!
How to make hummingbird food
To be able to appreciate these little cuties, many families choose to purchase a smart bird feeder. It can not only provide a "food refueling station" for hummingbirds but also allow you to enjoy their presence without being disturbed.
However, these thimble-sized gourmets are seasoned foodies. If you want to attract them to your backyard, you have to offer them their favorite afternoon tea.
Raw materials: incredibly simple. Just prepare white granulated sugar and pure water.
Magic sugar water formula: 1 part sugar + 4 parts water
Method: Boil water and then turn off the heat. Immediately add white granulated sugar and stir. After it is completely dissolved, let it cool naturally.
Misunderstandings about hummingbird food
Misconception 1: The higher the concentration of sugar water, the better.
High-concentration sugar water can cause hummingbirds to dehydrate, increase the burden on their kidneys, and even lead to fungal infections, posing a threat to their lives. Please do remember the ratio of 1:4, which remains unchanged throughout the year!
Misconception 2: Adding red dye or honey
Never do this! Red dye is of no benefit to the health of hummingbirds. However, sugar water with honey added is prone to breeding fatal bacteria in a humid environment.
Misconception 3: The feeder needs to be cleaned only after the sugar water is consumed.
Sugar water is prone to spoilage at high temperatures, causing infection in the beaks of hummingbirds. The correct approach should be to thoroughly clean it every 2 to 3 days and disinfect it with white vinegar, etc. If the weather is hot or the climate is humid, it is recommended to replace and clean it every day.
Misconception 4: Hummingbirds only need sugar water to survive.
Please remember that homemade sugar water can never replace a complete ecosystem. We can provide emergency stations for hummingbirds, but the five-star restaurant belonging to them should be a garden full of blooming flowers. If possible, in addition to the feeder, you can also grow a variety of nectar plants that hummingbirds love in the garden.
Conclusion
Surveys have found that the number of hummingbirds in North America is declining, and every time you clean the feeder and properly mix the sugar water, it has the potential to save a bird population on the verge of collapse.
Continue applying the knowledge you've gained and eagerly anticipate the joyous flutter of your wings.