Archive article, written 2009–2016. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian. About our articles
| Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar |
| 2 cups water 1/2 cup granulated sugar Boil water, then stir in sugar. Return to boiling, then cool, uncovered. Store in the refrigerator. WARNING: Stick to the 4 parts water to 1 part sugar proportion, as more sugar may be harmful to the birds. Use white table sugar only. Honey can encourage a lethal fungus. Artificial sweeteners have no nutrients and cause tumors. |
| DO NOT add red food coloring. All feeders have red on them somewhere to attract birds. Hang feeders in the shade. Wash your feeder every time you replace the syrup. A bottle brush is handy. Unused sugar water will ferment and get cloudy. It will stay fresh in an outdoor feeder about 1 1/2 weeks in the winter, but will ferment much faster in summer. |