DIY Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar
One of the great joys of summertime is birdwatching. Sweet bird nectar, if you make it, feathered friends will come, providing wonder in your garden.
DIY Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar
If you are a bird-watcher, bring flocks to your garden and save all kinds of money by your own nectar. I've never taken a sip, but the birds give it 5 stars!
Ingredients
Hummingbird Nectar:
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup sugar
Oriole Nectar:
- 3 cups water
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Boil water.
- Add sugar and stir well.
- Allow to cool.
- Fill your clean feeder and hang.
Notes
Most commercial nectars are tinted red. Dye is harmful to hummingbirds, so be sure to keep it clean.
Tips:
- Don’t use any red food coloring, as it is not healthy for hummingbirds or orioles.
- Never use honey when making your nectar mix. Honey attracts bees and can grow black fungus that will cause a fatal liver and tongue disease in hummingbirds.
- Replace the nectar once every three to four days and clean the feeder thoroughly.
- Unused nectar can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.
Happy bird watching!
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How fun! Those two pics are amazing, such pretty birds:@)
Aren’t hummingbirds amazing? We don’t get many orioles here. My mother in law, in Minnesota, feeds the Baltimore Orioles oranges and grape jelly.
Beautiful pictures!
I am laughing that you thought I was a blonde! I have lots of blonde moments that’s probably why! 🙂 I did have blonde highlighted hair until about 6 months ago, became too difficult with all those greys. 🙂
Happy Tuesday!
Great pictures, they are fast and hard to photograph! Mine flock to the feeder early morning when it’s still somewhat cool…
Wow, fabulous photos! I love it when sweet little hummingbirds come to visit.
LOVE this! I posted about my vacation yesterday but one thing I had to leave out was my fascination with the hummingbirds we saw at our hotel. I just could not get them to be still long enough for a pic! So I really admire your lovely photos. I hope this recipe will attract them to my house so I can continue my quest for the perfect hbird picture. 🙂
I do this too but I don’t add any food coloring and I have a bunch of hummers feasting..so fun to watch! ;D
I am going to have to try this! I don’t know if it’s warm enough to be able to have a hummingbird around here AND I do have three cats who feel that it’s their job to protect the house, but I’m going to give it a try.
I could watch them for hours.
great adivce!
visiting from tempt my tummy!
the july giftaway is on! hope you’ll enter!!
I’ve never seen an oriole here that I can remember, but we have tons of hummingbirds. I just love them. In each of the houses that we’ve lived, we have attracted the most wonderful birds. Miss Whimsy and I love to watch them.
I’ve never made any nectar. I should try this.
I have done this and a lot of other things, but never have a hummingbird. I understand they just like certain areas. Guess mine is not one of them.
Hummingvirds are so fun to watch, if they don’t come in large numbers. Sometimes they seem like dive bombers. I don’t make nectar or put it out, but I do know they love red flowers. Have a great weekend. Joni
Just checking in to say that I hope all is well with you and your family. I miss singing with birds. I’m so desperate that I had to step out into the heat and whistle.
Just not the same. The birds around here don’t cough up the good recipes.