We all want our yards to be teeming with as many hummingbirds as possible, so it’s completely understandable that we go the extra mile by putting different foods in their feeders.
Honey would be an obvious choice since hummingbirds adore sweet stuff, right? Well, it’s actually anything but a good choice for these birds.
And there isn’t one, but four reasons why you should never use honey in hummingbird feeders!
It’s time to dive into each one!
#1 Sugar Levels Are Way Too High
Yes, hummingbirds love sugar, but there’s a difference between sweet and sickly sweet. Honey makes a great alternative to sugar for humans but that’s just not the case for hummingbirds.
You see, sugar levels in honey are around 80%, and little hummingbirds prefer nectars with 20-25% of sugar.
This means they can’t digest honey and it’ll have an adverse effect on their overall health.
Hummingbirds need energy for flying, and the only way they can get it is through proper nutrition, which honey doesn’t offer!
#2 It’s A Perfect Spot For Infection To Settle In
Now we come to problem number 2: infection. When you mix honey with water, the chemical process that happens is called fermentation.
It’s an invitation for mold and bacteria, which have terrible consequences for hummingbirds.
It will definitely upset their tiny stomachs, but the problem can get way more serious.
#3 Remember That Honey Is A Glue-Like Substance
Honey isn’t just dangerous for hummingbirds’ stomachs, but also for their wings. Yes, you read that right!
Feathers are pretty delicate, and once they come in contact with honey, they’ll definitely become sticky and matted. This makes flying and eating impossible, and I guess I don’t need to explain what happens next.
Even if there’s only a small amount of honey glued to the feathers, it’s still a big problem since cleaning it off can be incredibly difficult and stressful for the bird.
This is also the reason why we should never leave grape jelly for hummingbirds.
#4 Honey Is Also Bad For The Feeders!
Last but not least, honey will make your feeders unattractive to birds in general. How come? Well, it’ll most likely clog them and birds won’t be able to eat or drink from them.
But they won’t be clogged enough to stop tiny critters from getting in. Wasps, ants, and bees will definitely try to break into the feeder, and that’s not really the scenario we want.
There’s no way a bird like a hummingbird will waste its time around such feeders.
Oh, and if you live in regions where raccoons and bears may occasionally stop by, trust me, the last thing you want is honey in your yard.
Honey Isn’t The Only Sweetener You Shouldn’t Use
The easiest way to make hummingbird feeders more attractive is to add some sweeteners. But many of them aren’t really suitable for these birds.
For instance, brown sugar has high concentrations of iron and is actually toxic to hummingbirds.
Next on our list is fruit juice. Remember how honey and water can quickly ferment? That’s also the case with fruit juice. The next thing you know, mold and bacteria is everywhere!
Store-bought fruit juices are an even worse option since they contain chemicals that could harm your feathered friends!
Some may find it tempting to add artificial sweeteners to their feeders. Well, they contain zero calories and could quickly result in malnutrition.
There’s one more ingredient you should never add to your hummingbird feeder: red dye. Remember that it also contains chemicals. Hummingbirds adore vibrant colors, but commercial dyes are simply not the way to go.
And Here’s A Recipe For The Best Snack For Your Hummingbirds!
Don’t get me wrong, ensuring snacks for our feathered friends is amazing, but we do need to be careful which food we use.
And for hummingbirds, it’s best to stick to one simple yet nutritious snack: sugary water.
All you need to do is mix 1 part white sugar with 4 parts tap water, boil it, and you’re good to go. Yes, it’s that simple.
Honey is definitely a big NO-NO for hummingbird feeders. If you want to offer these birdies a snack, make sugary water and they’ll most certainly keep coming back!