The recipe for hummingbird food is simple. The hummingbirds that visit your feeder will feed on a mixture of sugar and water that is no more than a simple syrup. Your hummingbird nectar recipe starts with boiling water to which you add white sugar. The water to sugar ratio is 4:1. For every 4 parts water, you will add 1 part sugar. Stir the mixture until the sugar is thoroughly dissolved and then let it cool. It really is a simple as that. No food coloring is necessary. The hummingbird seems to recognize a hummingbird feeder from quite a distance and as long as the feeder is colorful, as most are, there is no need to add artificial coloring to the nectar mixture.
A good gift idea for a hummingbird lover is a hummingbird feeder selected just for them, with a hand written 'recipe card' with instructions for making homemade hummingbird food. The gift will be appreciated and you will be thought of every time that special hummingbird lover looks out at their little audience of hummingbird visitors.
Round out your hummingbird lover's gift be adding a hummingbird keepsake, a hummingbird t-shirt, a delightful hummingbird wind chime, hummingbird wind sock, or hummingbird wind spinner.