does homemade hummingbird nectar need to be boiled

Of course, making it too concentrated (>25% sugar by weight) creates a new set of problems, including crystallization, inefficient feeding due to increased viscosity, and potential dehydration of the birds in very hot weather (hummingbirds need lots of water to stay cool just like we do).

One reason that people swear by boiling as a means of slowing spoilage might be that boiling a sugar solution for the recommended two minutes is going to make it more concentrated, and sweeter solutions retard the growth of microorganisms. But again, if anyone has any evidence i'd like to hear it. So i'm doubting any boiling is necessary, I just do it because i read you're 'supposed to.' i'm also doubting the prepared nectars are bad for birds. As for bacterial spores, some types need to be boiled more than 2 minutes to kill them, that's why to can food there are particular time schedules. Nectar you prepare contains some bacterial right from the start because bacteria are all over the place, including in the air, so you don't need the bird's tongue to touch it to be 'contaminated' it already was. I'd hate to think anything i'm doing could harm a bird but if someone thinks so, i'd like to know why. I personally boil the water but not with the sugar in it, and i keep the water stored in a plastic container on my counter for a few weeks and use that to make nectar with. From reading forums here and elsewhere it seems some people boil the nectar, some people just boil the water but not with the sugar in it, and some people don't boil anything. Again, as a reminder, do not boil the hummingbird food solution longer than 2 minutes as this creates a syrup that will only attract bees/wasps/yellow-jackets and other undesirables.On this question of boiling the nectar I would be very interested if anyone has any scientific evidence that this is necessary. well, boiling the water removes any impurities, over chlorination (or other chemicals) and naturally occurring bacteria that may be unhealthy for the hummingbird. Perhaps you’re wondering why you should boil the water at all when making homemade hummer food.This “bullying” is natural selection hard at work and you shouldn’t interfere with it. If you’re seeing a number of so-called “bullies” chasing off other hummers, simply put up more feeders. “Bully” hummers on your feeder? Hummingbirds are territorial.You’ll frequently see this behavior in Late Spring/Early summer while the females are on the feeders.

It is done to attract the ladies and to impress them enough to get them to mate.

Male Hummingbirds will often fly in a U-Shaped Pattern, this display is called the Pendulum Display.

Migration takes place due to their own internal clock and by leaving the feeders up in place, you will be helping any stragglers and ensuring their successful migration. It is a MYTH that hummingbirds will not migrate if the food is still available.

Be sure to put feeders up in early spring and leave them well into late fall.

Hummingbirds have little to no sense of smell and are drawn by bright colors rather than fragrances.

Hummingbirds collect lichens & spider web fibers to build their nests They will not use string, yarn or other nesting materials if you put them out, so save those items for the songbirds.

Other Interesting Facts you might enjoy about these sweet little birds:

Does homemade hummingbird nectar need to be boiled