Can Hummingbirds Survive Only on Sugar Water in the Feeder? Experts Address Some Key Doubts
Feeding hummingbirds is as simple as putting out an easy solution of sugar and water, according to experts. Yet, some people like to complicate it with additions that do more harm than good to the bold little creatures. The fact that a mere solution is sufficient for a hummingbird to thrive perplexes many on the internet. By the same token, a now-deleted Reddit user shared a post on the r/Ornithology subreddit questioning how the sugar and water recipe was all that the birds needed to be “healthy.” The query gained traction on the platform and sparked a debate on why hummingbirds benefit from the bare minimum effort.
Hummingbirds thrive on sugar and water
It is as easy as it sounds. The ratio of sugar and water needs to be strictly maintained while ensuring the feeders are hygienic and mold-free. However, the Reddit user was not convinced and asked, “Is it bad to feed hummingbirds using a sugar and water recipe in a hummingbird feeder?” For additional context on the query, the post added that most recipes for hummingbird nectar just suggest mixing sugar and water in appropriate amounts. “Is that all hummingbirds need? Don't they need other nutrients to be healthy?” the Reddit user inquired. The post received about a dozen comments with varying insights on the significance of homemade hummingbird nectar.
Answering the Reddit user’s query, u/guttata clarified, “Nope. The sugar/water recipe is basically a replacement for flower nectar (hence the long beak/tongue), ie, sugar and water. Other stuff comes from insects. You're not totally replacing their diet, just supplementing.” An elaborate response by u/bioluminiscencia gave a more detailed explanation on how the sugarwater in bird feeders serves the hummingbird community. “Since you're just giving wild humhums some extra food, though, you don't need to worry about giving them a perfectly balanced diet- they will seek out the nutrients they don't get. You're just going to run into trouble (i.e., death) if you try to keep one in captivity like that,” the user said.
Hummingbirds do require additional nutrients like vitamins K, E, A, and D. They often eat sand for calcium. Another commenter (u/permaculture) highlighted that the sugar water should be simply made of refined white sugar in a 4-1 ratio with water. It “is about as close to real flower nectar as you can get,” the note read.
The hummingbird nectar recipe
According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, the accurate sugar-to-water ratio for a hummingbird's nectar is 1 part sugar mixed with 4 parts water. It is strictly advised not to use red dye or any sort of artificial sweetener besides refined white sugar, as the components may interfere with the bird’s high metabolism. The feeders must be changed alternately and cleaned regularly to prevent mold growth. Some people consider honey a viable addition. However, it is discouraged because it can ferment the mixture faster than usual and jeopardize an entire community of hummingbirds, per Birds and Blooms.
Research studies indicate that sugarwater already contains high densities of microbial cells, but they are generally benign to most hummingbirds, per the University of California. “So, although birds definitely vector bacteria and fungi to feeders, based on the results from this study, the majority of microbes growing in feeders do not likely pose significant health hazards to birds or humans,” said Vannette, an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. @HummingbirdSpot shared a detailed guide on how to make nectar the right way.
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