Hummingbird Nectar

Convenience with instant hummingbird nectar.

Is instant hummingbird nectar worth it? Instant hummingbird nectar is convenient. There is no boiling required, all you have to do is open the powdered mix and pour it into plain tap water. Many of these instant mixes offer red colored formulas that claim to attract more Hummingbirds to your feeder. However, there are many hummingbird enthusiasts and experts that offer a different opinion.

Experts and enthusiasts alike stand against instant hummingbird nectar. They claim that the red dye used in some instant mixes is harmful to hummingbirds. According to one site, red dyed hummingbird nectar has no significant advantage to clear mix in attracting hummingbirds. In fact, they observed that some hummingbirds actually did not like the taste of the red dye. The color red is said to attract hummers, but because most feeders are already red, there is no need for red nectar.

The manufacturers of the instant nectars claim that there is no scientific research which concludes that red dye is harmful to birds. However, from the opposite perspective, there is also no solid research that proves that red dye is more nutritious or even attracts more birds. Although no published research on the detrimental effects of red dye exists, there have been cases when researchers have witnessed the forming of tumors and defects in birds which have constantly consumed dyed feed. Instant hummingbird nectar may offer a little bit more convenience over home made nectar, but are you willing to risk the health and safety of your hummingbirds for that tiny shred of convenience? The fact remains that the traditional formula of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water offers a very similar content of sucrose for your hummers and it attracts just as many birds.