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Hummingbird Nectar..... A Sweet Deal! Why is hummingbird nectar so vital? Hummingbirds have the fastest metabolism of any bird. In fact their metabolism is 100 times that of an elephant. 
Amazing isn't it, considering their miniature size! So don't worry about giving them a sugar rush. They need all that energy from the nectar (recipe) we provide at our feeders. Beware! These birds are definitely territorial. I remember the first time that I witnessed a male hummingbird defend his food supply. I feared the fierce battle wouldn't stop before one precious creature injured the other. I am a cautious soul. So that exact same day, I ventured to the library to do some research on hummingbirds. I learned sharing was not an option. I hung several more feeders. Delicate as these birds appear, hummingbirds have a survival instinct we can respect! You can make a simple nectar recipe by mixing a ratio of sugar and water. There are many opinions about adding artificial food color to nectar. 
For greater convenience, many people buy commercially made nectar. It is available without coloring. We have also discovered a commercial product with a natural red color made from hibiscus flower extract. Please don't overfill your feeders. The reserve of nectar (recipe) should be empty in 2 or 3 days. Otherwise, refresh the hummingbird's nectar before it can become moldy or contaminated. Hummingbirds are our dear feathered friends and we look forward to their visits to our feeders. Let's take care of them by feeding them regularly with nectar. Providing nectar is a simple task, well worth the effort.
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