Sugar water

Attracts: Hummingbirds, Northern Orioles, nuthatches, woodpeckers

Attracting hummingbirds with a sugar water solution is a popular summer hobby.

The solution is prepared at a ratio of four parts water to one part cane sugar. Boil the solution, then let it cool before filling your feeder.

Unused sugar water can be stored in the refrigerator until needed. Adding red food coloring is unnecessary because the red plastic feeder ports will attract hummingbirds.

Commercial oriole feeders are available, but orioles and other birds can also be attracted to chick waterers filled with sugar water solutions.

Change the sugar water solution regularly to prevent the formation of a black fungus that can degrade the solution.