How to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

For many homeowners, hummingbirds are some of the most desirable backyard birds, but few consider what happens to the charming visitors during the colder winter months. While hummingbirds are typically only found in northern yards during the summer—with the exception of Anna's hummingbird, a year-round Pacific Coast resident—the occasional hummingbird can overwinter in northern areas. However, most homeowners aren't aware of this fact, leading many to bring their hummingbird nectar and feeders indoors for the season and leaving visiting birds without a source of food.

If you want your garden to remain a safe haven for hummingbirds throughout the year, it is imperative that you maintain a supply of hummingbird nectar in your yard to provide them with a necessary means of survival. For northern homeowners, this means keeping hummingbird feeders from freezing so these tiny birds always have a reliable nectar source even when flowers may not be blooming. Hummingbird nectar is vitally important to the birds—here's how to provide them with resources all throughout the year.

The Dangers of Cold Weather

Hummingbirds have high metabolisms, and while they have ways to keep themselves warm, including going into torpor at night to preserve energy, a sudden cold snap can be deadly. A reliable source of nectar is essential to replenish their energy.

Low nighttime temperatures can freeze hummingbird sugar water, and night-starved birds may have to wait hours for the nectar to thaw enough to drink. Furthermore, frozen nectar can also crack or otherwise damage hummingbird feeders, making them less useful for feeding hummingbirds all year round.

How to Keep Hummingbird Nectar From Freezing

There are several tricks that can help keep hummingbird nectar from freezing even in the coldest weather.

Sweeten the Nectar

The typical hummingbird nectar recipe is a solution of one-part sugar to four-parts water, but this solution begins to freeze at 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Adding more sugar to your hummingbird nectar solution will lower the freezing point of the nectar, and a dye-free solution of one-part sugar to only three-parts water is a more suitable hummingbird food recipe for winter. Not only will it stay unfrozen in slightly colder temperatures, but it will also provide a stronger source of energy for hungry hummingbirds.

However, you should be careful not to sweeten the nectar even further, as a very rich syrup can be difficult for hummingbirds to drink and digest properly. Be sure to return the hummingbird nectar to the optimum one-part sugar to four-part water ratio as soon as possible to minimize any dietary imbalances.

Protect the Feeder

Chilly breezes can cool off nectar and freeze it more quickly. Placing a hummingbird feeder in a protected area (such as a covered porch or under a deep eave) will keep it unfrozen for longer periods. This also keeps the feeder from getting covered with snow or ice, which can clog feeding ports.

Heat the Feeder

Hanging an industrial work light or outdoor floodlight near a hummingbird feeder can help heat the nectar to keep it liquid. Ideally, the light should be no more than 8 to 12 inches from the feeder so the heat generated from the incandescent bulb can keep the nectar from freezing.

Be sure all cords and outlets are protected from moisture and potential short circuits. Do not use LED or other low-heat bulbs, as they will not be able to heat the hummingbird nectar sufficiently to keep it from freezing.

Use a Window Feeder

Attaching hummingbird feeders to windows from a heated room can help transfer some of the heat to the feeder and keep the nectar from freezing. This works best on single-paned windows where more heat will be transferred but can be useful on any window. This technique also helps bring the hummingbirds close to windows for superb winter viewing.

Bring the Feeder Indoors

On the coldest nights, it may be best to bring hummingbird feeders indoors where they will not be able to freeze. However, hummingbirds need to feed very early in the morning (even before sunrise), so it's essential to place the feeder back outdoors as soon as the birds need it.

On very cold days, keeping several feeders filled with nectar can be helpful, and the feeders can be rotated indoors and out so there is always a liquid supply of nectar available.

Insulate the Feeder

Wrapping the reservoir of a hummingbird nectar feeder with bubble wrap or other insulation can help protect it from freezing. Cover as much of the bottle as possible but don't block the feeding ports. Make sure the insulating wrap does not have any dangling strings or loose fibers that could be harmful to hummingbirds.

Light the Feeder

Wrapping a strand of holiday lights (non-LED) around the bottle of a hummingbird feeder can generate enough warmth to keep the nectar from freezing. Using red or pink lights also adds a glowing welcome that can attract hungry winter hummingbirds.

Make sure the light strand is in good condition before wrapping it around a feeder and avoid using any lights with frayed cords, split wires, or other damage. This technique is most effective with glass feeders, since plastic feeders may melt or warp if the lights are too warm.

Add a Snow Baffle

Covering a hummingbird feeder keeps it from getting choked with freezing rain, ice, and snow and will help keep the nectar from freezing. Choose a wide baffle, and preferably one with room for small perches underneath where the hummingbirds can rest while waiting for a chance to drink. A dark-colored baffle can also attract small amounts of heat from the winter sun that will help keep the area around the feeder warmer.

Tips for Feeding Winter Hummingbirds

While keeping nectar from freezing is essential for feeding hummingbirds in winter, there are other tips to keep in mind to ensure these birds are healthy even through the coldest season.

• Always keep hummingbird feeders clean to prevent mold and fungus, which can be fatal to hummingbirds. This will also keep nectar flowing freely and ports clear of obstructions.
• Refill feeders frequently so there is always an adequate supply of nectar for all overwintering hummingbirds. Other birds may also visit nectar feeders for quick energy.
• Do not prune shrubs or trees near feeding areas in fall, so hummingbirds have plenty of sheltered places to perch and rest between chilly feedings.

Hummingbirds can be a surprise in winter areas, but backyard birders who are keeping hummingbird feeders from freezing can help these small flying jewels thrive even in the coldest temperatures.