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Feeding hummingbirds this winter? Commit or ditch it: B.C. SPCA

You need to keep your feeder properly cleaned and supply the right nutrition, or you could risk the hummingbirds' lives
Staff reporter
hummingbirds at feeder
If you love to watch hummingbirds at your backyard feeder, the Burnaby SPCA has this advice: do it right, or ditch it.Carlos Luis Camacho Photographs/Getty Images

Love to watch hummingbirds flock to the feeder outside your window?

If you plan to have a hummingbird feeder out this winter, the Burnaby SPCA is reminding you to do it right – or don't do it at all.

"Nectar feeders provide a food source for hummingbirds in winter, but they must be cleaned regularly to prevent fungal or bacterial growth," the local SPCA branch notes in a Facebook post.

"Non-migratory hummingbirds may come to rely on this food source and will suffer if it is interrupted. Please don’t put hummingbird feeders out if you’re not prepared to clean and maintain them. If you're not ready for the commitment, removing your feeders now will give them time to find another source of food before extreme cold weather hits."

Tips for caring for your hummingbird feeder

The B.C. SPCA offers up these tips for ensuring you properly care for your hummingbird feeder:

  • Clean feeders with a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water about once a week.
  • Change the nectar solution every few days.
  • Ensure it never freezes and can be provided through the whole winter. In harsh temperatures, you may need to bring your feeder in at night to prevent freezing – this won’t disrupt the hummingbirds if the feeder is put back out first thing in the morning. You might want to keep two feeders handy so you can alternate between them.
  • Have a friend or neighbour check your feeder if you’re away. 
  • Ensure you're providing the proper nutrition. See below for a nectar recipe.

How to make hummingbird nectar

While there are many different recipes available online, this is the only one the SCPA recommends and uses at its own Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre. White sugar is closest to the sugars they find in nature, other types of sugars or recipes could make them sick and die.

To make nectar:

  • Boil water for two minutes.
  • Mix one part white sugar to four parts water.
  • Allow mixture to cool before filling feeder.
  • Never use honey, sweeteners, molasses, brown or raw sugar.
  • Don’t add red food colouring or other products.

Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].