Homemade Hummingbird Nectar

Since it's safe to say (or at least I hope it is) that winter is on her way out and therefore the hummingbird nectar won't freeze outside, I'm brewing up some nectar to feed the birds.  When we moved in a year ago, we noticed an Anna's Hummingbird frequently visiting our yard, so we wanted to make her (or him) feel more welcome.  I looked all over for a simple attachment to turn a mason jar into a hummingbird feeder but I couldn't find anything anywhere!  I didn't even have much luck finding a decent/satisfying way to fashion one myself.  So, I sucked it up and purchased a fairly standard feeder from the Backyard Bird Shop. 

Today, as I was making some more nectar (recipe to follow) to fill up my feeder, I thought I'd look again to see if my dream has appeared on the internet.  And guess what! It has!  BlueGrass Quality Products makes exactly what I was looking for.  It's a simple design that screws on to a mason jar, either pint or quart size.  One if these is definitely going on my "want" list.

Duncraft also sells a variety of Hummingbird Feeders.

Homemade Hummingbird Nectar

1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar

(basically 4 parts water to 1 part sugar)

Bring the water to a boil then add the sugar and dissolve.
Let cool completely.
Fill your feeder and put any excess in the fridge.

I like to make mine in small batches, that way it doesn't spoil (it will keep in the fridge up to a week).  

Update: Last night while reading more about hummingbirds, I discovered that it is possible to freeze the homemade nectar for later use.  I love freezing things.  More on this later tonight!




Currently listening to:

Feed the birds: homemade suet

When we first moved in, we were fortunate enough to have bird-loving neighbors who left us a lot of bird seed when they moved out of the neighborhood (sunflower seeds, millet, and cracked corn). However, we buy a lot of suet.  The birds go crazy for it and although not horribly expensive (1-2$ per block), it comes in plastic containers, which I'm trying to cut back on.

We stopped feeding the birds during the winter because Banjo got sprayed with a skunk. It was horrible! We think the bird seed attracted the skunks to our yard. We haven't seen them in awhile now, so we figure we can start feeding the birds again. The suet doesn't tend to go all over the yard like the loose seed. So, if the skunks come back we can at least continue with the suet.

I found a recipe for homemade suet on the cheap and it's super simple, with a lot less packaging overall. Just lard or shortening, peanut butter, and flour. You can buy a suet feeder for super cheap and sometimes find them at thrift stores.

Duncraft often has sales and special offers on all types of seed and feeders! 


Basic Bird Suet Recipe
• 1 cup vegetable shortening or lard
• 1 cup chunky peanut butter
• 2 cups regular unbleached or bleached flour
• 3 cups yellow cornmeal

1. Melt shortening/lard and peanut butter in large pot on stovetop using medium heat; remove from heat when melted.
2. Measure all the flour and cornmeal right into the pot.
3. Stir, stir, stir until everything is thoroughly blended.
4. Place mixture into your desired containers or as my friend Barbara has done, just pat up a handful and sort of make a hamburger patty type shape. *Note: I spray my containers with Pam as it does help the cakes come out cleaner from the containers.
5. Set your containers or patties into the refrigerator to set and then use as needed.

Currently Listening to:
Mike Doughty - I Hear the Bells