How to Make a Simple Hummingbird Syrup and Feeding Regimen, that Works!!?

Question

I have a lot of Berylline Hummingbirds that visit my yard and I have begun feeding them. I think of them as my little friends! They don't seem to know that I'm putting food out though, as I've never seen them eat from the feeder. I have a lot of flowers and they are always at my house though. I put sugar water in the feeding. Is there a simple way that I can get them to come eat from the feeder?

Answer 1

I'm concerned about the answer of 1 cup water/1 cup sugar.  That's much higher than I've ever seen recommended.

I use 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water (might knock it up a little just prior to migration).  I also do not find coloring the water necessary.  A hint I use to help dissolve the sugar is to put about 1/2 cup water in the microwave and bring to boiling.  Then add the sugar to dissolve.  Then add ice cubes/cold water to adjust the solution and to bring down the temperature - then fill the feeders.

Keep the solution fresh.  If located in full hot sun it will "spoil" faster.  I don't fill the feeders to the top until I notice enough activity to drain them within a few days.

Check the migration patterns in your area to determine when to put up/take down your feeders.

Answer 2

I mix about 1/4 cup sugar in 1 pint of water and put blue food coloring in it, and put that in my feeders.  I did an experiment with one feeder containing red food, and one with blue.  The hummingbirds preferred the blue.  However, when you have flowers blooming, they prefer the real thing to feeders.  If you live in a cold climate, you need to stop feeding them when it starts to frost, so they will migrate like they are supposed to.  Otherwise they will freeze to death.

Answer 3

My boyfriends mother has families of hummingbirds come to eat from hers.  She had to fill 4 of them up everyday.  All she does is take one cup of water per cup of sugar and stirs it until it dissolves and puts them in the feeders.  The seem to prefer the clear hummingbird feeder to the one that is all red.  She does not dye the water red.  The males eat from the red one and the females are eating from the clear one.  It is clear where the food is and red where they eat from.

It is funny to watch.  There were 3 when I was there and then there 10 before I left.  I was there a week.  They live in another state.  They fight and chase each other.  

I always thought you had to boil the water and had to add the red dye, but you do not, just stir the water until the sugar is dissolved.  She even had them come to her before she hung it up and they were feeding from them while she was trying to add it to the feeder.  

It works for her.

Answer 4

Jupiter has all the information I was going to give you sounds perfect.

The only thing I will add, is to use Castor oil to keep the ants off the feeder just rub it on on the hook or wire, its very thick and last all week. The bugs that do try to cross die. I buy feeders with ant moats and that doesn't stop them. It is the only thing I have found that really works.

Additional information:

Since you posted this question I have put up another feeder they are multiplying in my yard.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/attract.html

Answer 5

I have read that the correct proportion is 1 cup of water to 1/4 cup of sugar, and that it is better to leave it clear as the red dye isn't good for the birds.  

Make sure to place your feeder in a sunny area, and change the syrup about every 5-7 days as it spoils.

I've done this several years and the birds will find your feeder, just be patient.

Answer 6

add a few drops of red food dye - they are attracted to the color. or you can buy the bright red sugar water from the nursery but its the same thing.

also, try nesting the feeder inside of plants with brightly colored flowers or surrounding it with bright flowering plants.

they can be hard to see at the feeder, so just keep an eye out

Answer 7

Avoid dying the water red if possible.  It's not a good idea for the birds despite what the marketing gurus will try to tell you.

The recipe for Hummer Syrup is four parts water to one part sugar.  Bring the water to a rolling boil and add the sugar.  Allow it to conitnue boiling for 2 minutes both to dissolve the sugar and to cook out any impurities in the water.  Let the syrup cool and fill your feeders.  Refilling is based on how active your feeders are and the air temp.  The hotter it is, the more often you need to clean and re-fill the feeders.  The syrup will mold in the heat.  I don't use soap on my feeders.  Just tap water and a clean mascara brush for scrubbing the feeding ports.  I dry it with paper toweling and then refill.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/pr...

I have found that this feeder is very attractive for the Hummers.  The large expanse of red lid gets their attention.  There is also a well for water in the middle that is known as an ant moat.  It keeps the ants off the feeder.

Good luck!