Nothing says summer more than being able to enjoy watching hummingbirds buzz around the yard. The act of looking for food in the nearest flowers or feeders is one that I find relaxing and soothing.
Most hummingbirds will usually weigh in at a few mere grams and will only measure three to five inches. Even with their small statures, they can attract the attention and admiration of hummingbird enthusiasts worldwide, who are happy to catch a glimpse of nature’s tiniest powerhouses.
Image: The National Audubon Society
If you would like to enjoy watching hummingbirds in your own yard, it is pretty simple to set up a feeder. Not only do you benefit from the joy of watching the little birds, but you are also aiding in maintaining your local population.
Hummingbirds may be tiny in size, but to survive, the little birds need to consume up to half their body weight in sugar a day. To do that, they must feed eight to ten times an hour. Feeders are an excellent source of hummingbird nectar that helps them maintain their required feeding routine.
You can make the nectar that hummingbirds need from items already on hand. Hummingbird nectar consists of only two ingredients—water and sugar. At first glance, it may seem simple enough to create. However, it is essential that you never just throw the ingredients together willy nilly.
Image: Bird Watchers Digest
The recipe is fast and straightforward:
- 4 parts warm water (tap water will work, but purified water is the best).
- 1 part white table sugar
Heat the water so that it is warm but not boiling hot. Mix the sugar and warm water in a serving bowl or a pitcher with a spoon. Mix until the sugar has completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool, then pour it into the hummingbird feeder. Any leftover nectar can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.