Do you know, how much food a hummingbird needs per day?
You’ll be wondered to know that while on average of hummingbird weighs only 0.1 to 0.3 ounces, it needs up to twelve times their own body weight in nectar each day.
Do you know why they need such amount of food per day?
While flying, these tiny birds beat their wings 2000 to 5000 times (depending on the species) per minute! Yes, it is 2000 to 5000 times per minute. That’s why they need so many calories to maintain their astonishing metabolism.
Hummingbirds get the energy from flower nectar and the sugar that we supply at feeders. For protein and other nutrients, they also eat soft-bodied insects and spiders.
How to prepare hummingbird feeder recipe?
To prepare a great hummingbird feeder recipe, follow the easy directions bellow:
- Mix 1 part table sugar with 4 parts water. For example, mix 1 cup table sugar with 4 cups water.
- Bring it to boil till the sugar dissolves.
- Let the humming bird feeder recipe cool, then fill your feeder.
Make sure your feeders are clean, when you fill them. Keep the remaining liquid to refrigerator and you may use it for couple of weeks.
Cautions:
- Many people want to use distilled water instead of tap water. Researchers are concerned that distilled water lacks minerals that hummingbird need. So, avoid using distilled water.
- Do not use artificial sweeteners or honey in your hummingbird feeder recipe. It’ll produce fungus that is harmful to hummingbirds.
- You may know that hummingbirds are attracted to red color. So, you may want to use coloring in your hummingbird feeder recipe to attract hummers. But this red food coloring may be harmful to birds health.
Rather than using red food coloring, use red colored feeder and for sure it’ll attract your hummers.
Choosing a Feeder:
There are many styled hummingbird feeders available today. They’re sold in stores ranging from birding shops and garden centers to discount marts, as well as by mail order. These feeders are made by plastic, glass and/or ceramic. Any feeders can attract hummers. So while choosing feeders, think about the ease of disassembly and cleaning. I recommend you to buy Hummzinger Hummingbird Feeder
Where to hang your feeder?
Hang one feeder near of the hummingbird plant so that they can find it sooner. You may place one feeder near your window, so you can watch and enjoy birds from living room. If you want to hang your feeder beside window, be aware about the striking glass. It may injure your birds.