Making Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar

A post from The Zen Bird Feeder on "Birdfeeding on a Budget" gives instructionson how to make hummingbird and oriole nectar quickly at home with two simple ingredients every kitchen has: white granulated sugar and water.

Stores sell boxes of sugar to make into nectar and pre-made nectar, but you can save money by just making your own. Making your own nectar also removes the temptation to purchase RED nectar, which is not needed to attract hummingbirds and could very well be detrimental to birds.

HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR
The ratio to make hummingbird nectar is 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.

Easy Conversion Chart
To Make Water Sugar
1 cup nectar 1 cup 1/4 cup
2 cups nectar 2 cups 1/2 cup
3 cups nectar 3 cups 3/4 cup
4 cups nectar 4 cups 1 cup

1. Warm the water in the microwave (it doesn't need to boil - just warm enough to dissolve the sugar).
2. Stir in sugar to dissolve.
3. Cool.
4. Fill feeders.
5. Store remainder in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or use for oriole nectar "starter" (see shortcut below)

ORIOLE NECTAR
The ratio to make oriole nectar is 1 part sugar to 8 parts water.

Easy Conversion Chart
To Make Water Sugar
1 cup nectar 1 cup 2 tablespoons
2 cups nectar 2 cups 1/4 cup
3 cups nectar 3 cups 6 tablespoons
4 cups nectar 4 cups 1/2 cup

Shortcut to oriole nectar:
1) Start with a batch of hummingbird nectar from recipe above.
2) Double-up on the water only.

NECTAR TIPS

Store prepared nectar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Change nectar and clean feeders every 4-5 days whether the nectar is being consumed or not.
Change nectar and disinfect feeder immediately if you see black spots in the feeder.
Change nectar immediately if you see cloudiness in the nectar.