How to Make Hummingbird Food: The 4:1 Nectar Ratio

Start with refined white table sugar and water, the two ingredients recommended by the Smithsonian National Zoo. Do not use specialty sweeteners or colored mixes; hummingbird nectar should look clear, like water.

Use the 4:1 ratio every time: 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. For a small batch, mix 1/4 cup sugar with 1 cup water; for a larger batch, mix 1 cup sugar with 4 cups water, matching the proportions used by Audubon.

Stir the sugar into the water until no crystals remain. Boiling is optional; the Smithsonian says water does not have to be boiled, while Cornell notes that warm or boiling water can help when making a larger refrigerated batch.

If you used warm or boiled water, let the nectar cool to room temperature before it goes outside. Clemson Extension also advises letting homemade nectar cool before filling a feeder, so the liquid is ready for birds to drink safely.

Pour the cooled nectar into a clean feeder, using only as much as the birds are likely to finish before the next change. At every refill, clean the feeder with hot water and a bottle brush, and clear the ports with a small brush so old nectar does not remain in small openings.

Put leftover nectar in a clean, covered container in the refrigerator. The Smithsonian recommends storing extra sugar water for no more than one week, and discarding it sooner if you see mold or cloudiness.

Heat makes nectar spoil faster, so change it about every 1-2 days above 90°F, every 2-3 days in the 80s°F, and every 4-6 days in cooler weather. Clemson Extension says nectar should be changed daily above 90°F, and Audubon recommends cleaning right away if nectar looks cloudy.

Empty the feeder immediately if the nectar turns cloudy, stringy, or sour-smelling, or if you see mold or dark specks in the feeder. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service warns that sugar water can mold and ferment, so freshness matters as much as the recipe.

Stay with the 4:1 ratio in spring, summer, fall, and winter instead of making stronger seasonal mixes. For a better food supply overall, pair fresh nectar with native tubular flowers and a yard that supports tiny insects and spiders, since the Forest Service notes that hummingbirds also need insects in their diet.