A Delicious Recipe for Your Hummingbird

Tap to Read ➤ Ningthoujam Sandhyarani

An ideal way to attract hummingbirds in your garden is preparing special kind of food for them and adding it to the bird feeder. Know how to make hummingbird food by yourself.

Hummingbirds are one of the smallest bird species and have enchanted many bird watchers all over the world.

The Giant Hummingbird, that weighs about 20 grams, is the largest species, while the smallest is the bee hummingbird, that weighs only about 2 grams. They are identified by their ability to hover in the air by rapid flapping of the wings (about 80 - 85 times per second).

These miniature birds are named so, because of the swift beating of their wings that generates a humming sound. Another peculiar fact about them is that they can fly in the backward direction too, which other birds are not capable of.

On an average, hummingbirds can fly at a speed of about 50 km/hr.

Hummingbirds feed mostly on insects, pollen, trees sap, and sweet nectar. If hummingbirds interest you, then the best way to enjoy watching them is by planting a hummer yard or garden with lots of bright-colored, nectar secreting plant varieties. Shrubs and trees planted in the garden also act as the perfect perching places for the hummingbirds.

If you want to view these attractive birds in action, hang feeders in the garden and fill them up with food that is specifically made for them. You can actually make food for these super tiny birds, rather than buying expensive nectar off the market. Let's take a look at some easy recipes.

It is a fact that hummingbirds ingest almost half of their body weight's worth of sugary nectar everyday. You can gather additional information regarding their diet and feeding habits. Following is a healthy recipe which you can easily prepare at home.

Ingredients

2 cups water ½ cup superfine sugar

Preparation

First, boil 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Boiling water is essential to kill any contaminants that may be present in it. Add sugar small amounts at regular intervals each time and allow it to dissolve completely in the water before you add some more.

This recipe makes odorless and colorless nectar, so it resembles natural nectar to some extent, which attracts hummingbirds. Allow it to cool down before pouring it in the feeder. You can store the remaining nectar in the refrigerator for the next feeding.

You can prepare large amounts of nectar at one single time, if you follow the basic logic of using four parts of water and one part of sugar. This nectar is sure to attract the hummingbirds to your garden. Make sure you do not use honey, artificial food coloring, or sweeteners since they are unhealthy for the birds.

Apart from luring the birds with food, it is more important to maintain proper hygiene. To help you get started, ensure that the feeders are cleaned regularly (at least once a week) and filled with fresh food each time you clean it.

Hummingbirds are specifically attracted to bright red colors. Considering this, you can tie a red ribbon on the poles where you hang the bird feeders. Also place a drip near the feeder to serve as a water source.