Hummingbird feeders can be delightful to hang around your home and garden spaces. Not only do they provide a opportunity to view hummingbirds fairly close up, but they are also much appreciated by the small birds who feed from them.

What do hummingbirds eat?

A hummingbird’s natural diet consists of nectar from flowers. Nectar consists of glucose, fructose, and sucrose – and contains just a small amount of protein. Hummingbirds will also eat a small amount of flying insects, spiders, and gnats for additional protein. Typically, a hummingbird needs to eat more than their own body weight per day – because of their small size and high metabolism, a hummingbird could starve fairly quickly if they do not eat frequently.

How to Take Care of a Hummingbird Feeder

If possible, it is recommended to have multiple hummingbird feeders with a variety of sugar to water ratios. A high concentrate would be one part sugar to one part water, but a more common ratio is usually two parts water to one part sugar. Because hummingbirds are territorial, having multiple feeders will allow less-dominant hummingbirds to feed.

Depending on the location of the feeder, the feeder may need to be cleaned and replenished as often as once per day. A feeder in a warmer area without much shade will require more frequent cleaning and replenishing, where a feeder that gets a decent amount of shade may only need to be cleaned and refilled once per week. A feeder that needs cleaned will not be utilized by hummingbirds, so you will see a significant decline in the amount of hummingbird visitors you will see if the feeder needs a cleaning.

Ensure not to leave soapy residue behind after cleaning a hummingbird feeder. Frequent cleaning will help to prevent mold growth within the feeder.