How To: Make a hummingbird feeder & food

Catching sight of a hummingbird floating from flower to flower is one of those rare gifts from nature. In this quick and easy guide, use a little bit of science and learn how to make a hummingbird feeder that will attract all the birds in the yard.

Hummingbirds are wonderful and special species of bird, due to their amazing eating and flying habits. Hummingbird's heart rates reach to almost 1,000 beats per minute and their wings flap between 10-80 times per second. With all that energy, its no wonder they require eating more than their weight in food each day. To give back to our sweet friends, make your own nectar for them to feast by following this simple recipe: start with 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Boil your water to sterilize it, and let cool. Add your 1 part sugar once the water is cooled (this is important, as adding sugar to hot water will cause it to become too syrupy for the birds to digest). Then, fill your hummingbird feeder and hang in a quiet,
low traffic area. You can even keep your solution in the refrigerator for 1-week, if you have any leftover. Within days, you are sure to see a flock of these beauties flurry to sip on your homemade nectar! (another note: some recipes call for red food coloring, but this is not necessary and can even cause issues in the birds digestion. We say: skip it!)