Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds in the world, yet they have one of the highest metabolic rates of any warm-blooded animal. This extreme energy demand, fueled by hovering flight, requires a highly specialized and calorie-dense diet. While they are famously associated with flower nectar, this sugary liquid only provides one part of the nutritional profile these tiny birds require. Their survival depends on consuming a variety of food items to meet their continuous need for fuel.
The Nectar Diet
Nectar is the primary energy source for hummingbirds, providing the simple sugars needed to sustain their rapid wing beats and high body temperature. Hummingbirds seek flowers that produce nectar with a sugar concentration between 20 and 30% by weight. Floral nectar is composed mainly of sucrose, which their digestive systems efficiently process to deliver immediate energy to their flight muscles.
The hummingbird’s specialized tongue is not a straw, but a pair of long, grooved tubes used for lapping the liquid. This lapping action happens rapidly, allowing the bird to consume nectar quickly. Their ability to process this high volume of sugar is unique, as they can directly oxidize the sugars for energy during flight. When flower nectar is scarce, hummingbirds will also visit tree sap wells created by woodpeckers, which provide a secondary source of natural sugar.
The Importance of Insects and Spiders
While sugar provides the necessary fuel, nectar alone is nutritionally incomplete, lacking the proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals needed for a balanced diet. To obtain these nutrients, hummingbirds must consume small arthropods, including insects and spiders. This protein component is important for growth and maintenance.
Their diet includes small flying insects such as gnats, fruit flies, and aphids, along with spiders and insect eggs. An adult hummingbird may consume dozens of these invertebrates daily to meet its protein needs. Protein is vital for nesting females and their hatchlings, as it is necessary for the rapid development of the young. Hummingbirds hunt in several ways, including “hawking,” which involves catching flying insects in mid-air, or “gleaning” them from leaves and spider webs.
Feeding Hummingbirds Safely
Many people supplement the natural diet of hummingbirds by providing a sugar-water solution in feeders. The safe and recommended recipe is a simple mixture of one part refined white granulated sugar dissolved in four parts water. This ratio closely mimics the sugar concentration found in natural flower nectar.
It is necessary to avoid adding any other ingredients to the solution, as they can be harmful. Never use honey, brown sugar, molasses, or artificial sweeteners; these products can promote the growth of dangerous bacteria or contain compounds difficult for the birds to digest. Red food coloring should also not be added, as the chemicals are unnecessary for attraction and could potentially be harmful.
Feeder cleanliness is paramount to preventing illness. The sugar solution can quickly ferment or develop mold, especially in warm weather. Feeders must be emptied and thoroughly cleaned every two to three days, or more frequently when temperatures are high. Regular cleaning with hot water or a weak vinegar solution prevents the buildup of mold and harmful bacteria, ensuring the supplemental food source remains safe.