How To Make Hummingbird Food

Learn how to make hummingbird food and keep hummingbirds happy so they'll stay in your garden or yard. Hummingbirds are fun little birds to watch because they flap their wings so quickly that it looks like they are almost standing still in midair. The distinctive song of a hummingbird is also nice to hear. Keep hummingbirds in your garden and coming back for more with this easy hummingbird food.

To make hummingbird food, you will need:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups water
• pan
• glass jar with lid

Note:  Any measurements using four parts water to one part sugar will work for this hummingbird food.

1. Place the sugar and water in the pan. Bring the sugar water to a boil on the stove. Boil for three minutes. Remove pan from the heat.
   
2. Cool the hummingbird food. Leave the hummingbird food in the pan till it is cooled to room temperature. Pour the hummingbird food in a glass jar.
3. Use the nectar. Fill the hummingbird feeder outside to reduce the mess of carrying it through the house. Hold over the grass or a plastic tub to catch any drips while filling the feeder.
4. Store the hummingbird food. Use the hummingbird food immediately but store any extra in the glass jar in the refrigerator.

Tips: 

• Plant red, bright pink, and orange flowers or place red lawn decorations near the hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red.

Warnings: 

• Do not add red food coloring to the hummingbird food. It is not necessary and may be harmful to the hummingbirds.
• Do not use honey in place of the sugar.

Reference:  Texas Parks and Wildlife, Hummingbirds