Learn how easy it is to make your own hummingbird food recipe. Watching beautiful hummingbirds zip around the backyard is one of the simple joys of spring and summer. These tiny birds are drawn to bright colors, especially red flowers like bee balm and trumpet honeysuckle.
But if you really want to attract them to your back patio, this easy hummingbird food recipe is a great way to offer a healthy food source.
Whether you’re in Southern Arizona, Southern California, or anywhere hummingbirds migrate, this 2-ingredient homemade nectar recipe is made with simple ingredients you probably already have.
If you’ve ever watched a hummingbird hover at a feeder or dart among red flowers, you know how magical these little birds can be. They’re fast, curious, and full of personality—and once they find a good food source, they’ll keep coming back.
Making your own hummingbird food is not only easy, it’s the best way to avoid unnecessary additives like red dye or artificial sweeteners found in some store-bought mixes. With just sugar and water, you can offer a safe and healthy treat that mimics the nectar they find in nature.
Making Our Own Hummingbird Food
For years, I’ve made this homemade hummingbird nectar for my sister-in-law. She has several feeders around her house, and every spring when she comes home, the first thing she does is get them ready for the season.
It’s become a family tradition—once they’re up, we all take turns keeping them full through the summer. Sitting together on the front porch, watching these tiny birds flit and hover with their bright colors and amazing speed, is something we all look forward to. It’s a simple pleasure that brings so much joy.
2 Ingredient DIY Hummingbird Food Recipe to Print
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Equipment
Materials
- 1 Cup Sugar Plan white sugar or pure white cane sugar
- 4 Cups Warm Water filtered or spring water preferred
Instructions
- In a small bowl or pitcher, mix 1 cup of sugar with 4 cups of warm water.1 Cup Sugar, 4 Cups Warm Water
- Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Using very hot water or hot tap water helps speed up the process.
- Let the mixture cool to room temperature before filling your clean feeders.
- Store any extra nectar in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
❌ What Not to Use in Hummingbird Food
Stick to plain white sugar for the healthiest homemade nectar. Here’s what to avoid:
- ❌ Brown sugar – contains molasses that can harm birds.
- ❌ Agave syrup or beet sugar – not recommended due to additives.
- ❌ Artificial sweeteners – lack the calories hummingbirds need.
- ❌ Red dye or food coloring – can be harmful. Skip the red food coloring entirely.
- ❌ Organic sugar or superfine sugar – may contain unnecessary additives.
How to Store Extra Hummingbird Nectar
One of the best time-saving tips I’ve learned over the years is to make a big batch of nectar ahead of time. After filling the feeders, I pour the extra into a clean airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
It keeps well for up to a week, which makes it easy to refill feeders every few days—especially during the warm weather when hummingbirds are extra active and hungry. Having nectar ready to go means less prep and more time relaxing on the porch watching these beautiful birds zip around.
🌸 Attracting Hummingbirds Naturally
A red feeder with several feeding ports is a good place to start. Red flowers, tubular flowers, and native plants like trumpet honeysuckle help draw them in too.
Hummingbird food recipe. The standard ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water mimics the sweetness of real flower nectar. During cooler months, you can use a slightly sweeter nectar (3:1 ratio) if needed. But in hot weather, stick to the regular ratio to prevent mold growth and fermentation.
Tips for Safe Feeding
Clean hummingbird feeders thoroughly at least once a week—more often in warm weather. Use hot water and scrub the plastic hummingbird feeders or glass feeders well. Keeping clean feeders is the best way to avoid bacteria that could hurt the little guys.
🐝 Bonus Tip: Keep Bees Away
If bees or ants find your feeder, try a feeder with bee guards or feeding ports too small for insects. Placing feeders in shady areas away from bright colorful flowers can help reduce bee interest.
Making your own hummingbird nectar is so much fun and a great way to help these beautiful birds thrive. This easy hummingbird food recipe with a safe water ratio is better than pre-made nectar, which can sometimes include food dye or extra sugar water.
You’ll love watching these energetic, beautiful hummingbirds visit again and again—all thanks to a little sugar, water, and love.
❓ Are there any risks to feeding hummingbirds in my yard?
Feeding hummingbirds is generally a great way to support these beautiful birds, especially when natural food sources like tubular flowers are scarce. The biggest risk is not cleaning your hummingbird feeders regularly.
Mold growth, fermented nectar, and dirty feeding ports can harm the birds. Always use plain white sugar, avoid red dye, and clean feeders every few days in hot weather to keep your nectar safe and fresh.
When should I hang up my hummingbird feeder?
In most areas, you can put your feeder out in early April as flower nectar becomes available, and hummingbirds begin migrating north. In warmer regions like southern California or southern Arizona, you might see hummingbirds even earlier. Hanging your feeder early ensures these tiny birds have a healthy food source waiting when they arrive.
🍂 When is the best time to take down my feeder in the fall?
Wait until at least two weeks after you’ve seen your last hummingbird. Leaving your feeder up longer won’t prevent migration—instead, it helps late stragglers and young birds making their first trip south. In cooler months, most hummingbirds have moved on, but you might still catch a glimpse of a latecomer fueling up.
Will keeping feeders up too long make hummingbirds stay too late?
Nope! Hummingbirds migrate based on daylight and internal rhythms, not feeder availability. Keeping your own hummingbird food out during migration helps them store energy for the journey. Your homemade nectar could make a big difference for one of these little guys on a long flight.
🌸 Why aren’t hummingbirds visiting my feeder?
Don’t worry—there are a few common reasons. Try placing your feeder near red flowers or native plants like bee balm or trumpet honeysuckle to attract attention. Use a red feeder or add bright colors nearby.
Make sure you’re using the correct water ratio (1 part sugar to 4 parts water) and no artificial coloring. Also, skip brown sugar, agave syrup, or superfine sugar—just use pure white cane sugar. Keep the nectar fresh and clean feeders every few days. Soon enough, those beautiful hummingbirds will find their way to your back patio!
Thanks for this information.