Recipe for hummingbird food

                               

Recipe for hummingbird food

                                             [ This is picture of  hummingbird ]

HOW TO MAKE  HUMMINGBIRD FOOD:

                     

             Bird Food Ingredients: Recipe 

1. Pure white cane sugar. This is perhaps the only time I would suggest to avoid using organic sugar, unless it is pure white in color. If the sugar is not 100% white refined sugar, it may contain a small amount of molasses. Molasses is rich in iron, and iron can be toxic to hummingbirds in even small doses. Therefore, avoid brown sugar or unrefined “raw” cane sugar. For example, the organic raw sugar we usually use at home has a brown tint to it, so we don’t use it in this homemade hummingbird food recipe. Do not use honey, agave syrup, or artificial sweeteners. Beet sugar is the only other suitable replacement for white cane sugar..

2. NO red food dye or preservatives  The colorful fake flowers that adorn most hummingbird feeders is what attracts birds to the feeder. Therefore, you do not need to add red dye or other coloring to the nectar liquid itself! On the contrary, those unnatural substances can be harmful to hummingbirds. 

3.Clean Water. Un-chlorinated water, filtered water, well water, or spring water is ideal, but most city tap water is okay as wel

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Hummingbird Food Sugar-Water Ratios

The standard sugar-to-water ratio for homemade hummingbird food is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. 

That could mean combining 1 cup of sugar and 4 cups of water, ½ cup sugar and 2 cups water, or what we often make – just a ¼ cup sugar to 1 cup water. We like to make smaller amounts to reduce waste, since homemade hummingbird food does need to be changed often. You’ll find the right amount for your feeder, depending on how numerous and active the hummingbirds are in your garden.

It is important to get the right balance because too much or too little sugar can be unhealthy, dehydrating, or otherwise harmful to the hummingbirds. The one caveat is during wintertime or cold weather, when it is okay to to increase the sugar-to-water ratio to 1 part sugar to only 3 parts water (but no more). This gives them an added boost of much-needed energy. The slightly sweeter nectar also has a lower freezing point, preventing it from freezing as easily.

Instructions to Make Hummingbird Food

1. Combine 1 part sugar with 4 parts water in a pot on the stove. 
2. Heat lightly and thoroughly stir until the sugar completely dissolves. There is no need to boil the sugar water combination.
3. Allow the sugar water to cool to lukewarm or room temperature. Then, add the homemade hummingbird food to your feeder of choice.
4. Hang the feeder outside, and have fun watching your hummer friends enjoy their food!
5. If you make extra, store any unused sugar water in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

                              SOME PIC  OF Hummingbird

                                                                           VINESH DESAI