When it comes to hummingbird sugar water ratios, forget the 1:4 mix you’ve heard of. Science says 1:3 can best imitate nature!
Image Source Brian Hansen from pay attention to
Hummingbird sugar water ratio: the sweet spot to reach 1:3
Not long ago, we published an article about Homemade Hummingbird Food. In it, we’ve included a recipe for Hummingbird Nectar, which calls for 1 part refined sugar and 3 parts water. In response to this post, conscientious TGN community member Kat wrote to express the following concerns.
“Is a 1:3 hummingbird food ratio really the best?”
“I have a question after reading the page about making hummingbird food. I have been making mine for years but always use 1 cup sugar and 4 cups water instead of the 1:3 the article says. Everything I’ve found on here uses a 1:4 ratio, so I’m wondering why you use a more concentrated syrup?
As a retired veterinarian, I can see that using a stronger syrup can lead to excess sugar intake in birds (stop eating if it depends on feeling full).
Also, I’ve been uncomfortable feeding them with a pure sugar solution. I’ve tried cutting down on sugar myself but can’t see it being the best food for any animal. Have you heard that any vitamin or protein ingredient can be added to make it a better food? My hummers are on the feeder all day and I am concerned that we are giving them pure energy rather than balanced food. “
This is my reply
Kate, I just love your kind heart and your concern for the happiness of our hummingbird friends! You asked some good questions. I will do my best to answer them.
Image Source George B2 from pay attention to
1:3 hummingbird sugar water ratio imitates nature
Question one: Everything I’ve found online uses a 1:4 ratio, so I’m wondering why you use a more concentrated syrup?
There is a very interesting scholarly article on the LSU Museum of Natural Science website called “Introduction to Sucrose Solutions.” In it, the authors explain the correct way to calculate the concentration of the solution formed when a solid dissolves into a liquid. This formula is different from the formula chemists use to determine concentrations when both components are liquids.
I definitely recommend checking out the link above for details. But most importantly, the website that says the ratio of 1:4 sucrose (refined white sugar) to water is a 20% solution is incorrect. why? These sources use a liquid+liquid formula, not a solid+liquid formula.
Image Source Ahmed Turan from pay attention to
Using the proper solid+liquid formulation, a 1:4 sucrose to water ratio actually yielded a 17.9% sucrose concentration.
Using the same solid+liquid method, a 1:3 sugar to water ratio yielded a 22.5% sucrose concentration.
The article mentions that several published studies have found a sucrose concentration of 23.9% in nectar in hummingbird flowers. So it concluded: “If we wanted to replicate the sugar content of flowers in our feeder, we would use a formula of 1 C sucrose:3 C water, resulting in a sucrose concentration of 22.5% (w/w) .”
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Question 2: Have you heard that any vitamin or protein ingredient can be added to make it a better food?
Another great question, Kate! Hummingbirds actually eat a lot of little bugs too, I’ve seen the same hummingbirds swarming hummingbird feeder Sipping on the flowers in our yard and even sticking their mouths into the red tomatoes on my vine!
Hummingbirds naturally have a sugar-centric diet. They drink nectar and sap, both of which contain large amounts of sucrose. They have also been seen feeding on the sugar content of trees (and even insects!), which also contain a lot of sucrose.
When we fill the feeder with 1 serving of 1:3 hummingbird food ratio white sugar (sucrose) to 3 parts water, we’re basically mimicking the nectar of flowers that hummingbirds love.
(In fact, the Audubon Society recommends against using anything other than refined white sugar in hummingbird nectar: “Honey can promote the growth of dangerous fungi. Organic, natural and raw sugars contain potentially harmful levels of iron. Pure white table sugar is sucrose, which when mixed with water is very similar in chemical composition to natural nectar. “
Stick to a 1:3 hummingbird sugar water ratio—nature will do the rest
Indeed, there are some amino acids in nectar and sap that are not present in aqueous sugar solutions. But hummingbirds have huge appetites to support their fast metabolisms, and they round out their diets with plenty of amino acids while feeding on tiny bugs and nectar.
As for whether something should be added to the liquid to make it healthier for hummingbirds, the consensus seems to be that trying is more dangerous than not trying. This is because there isn’t enough information about the levels of additives that are harmful or toxic to them. In fact, the Birdwatching Bliss website says, “To be on the safe side, just stick with a sugar solution and let hummingbirds supplement their diet naturally.”
I agree.
While I fully respect your kindness in wanting the best nutrition for your Hummer, I do think it’s a “safer than sorry” case in this case.
What do you think?
Did you find this insight into the optimal hummingbird nectar ratio helpful? What sugar water mix would you use for your feeder in the days to come? Let us know in the comments below!
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This is an updated version of an article originally published on August 9, 2018. Authors may not be able to respond to comments at this time; however, we encourage our community members to get involved, share their experiences and answer questions!
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Merin Porter is a writer, homemaker, volunteer master gardener, and editorial content director for The Grow Network. When she’s not busy dotting i and cross t for TGN’s communications work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children, hiking, skiing, volunteering for local gardening organizations, tending her heritage breed flocks, and continuing to pursue the perfection Homegrown tomatoes.
