Making homemade nectar for hummingbirds is a great way to attract these beautiful birds to your yard. Many people use plain white sugar or cane sugar to make hummingbird food, but some prefer using brown sugar instead. So is it OK to make hummingbird nectar with brown sugar? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
The main questions around using brown sugar are:
- Is brown sugar bad for hummingbirds?
- Does brown sugar have any benefits for hummingbirds?
- How does brown sugar nectar compare to white sugar nectar for hummingbirds?
The short answers are:
- No, brown sugar does not appear to be harmful to hummingbirds.
- Brown sugar provides trace minerals that white sugar lacks, but it’s unclear if this benefits hummingbirds.
- Both can be used to make nectar, but some experts recommend avoiding brown sugar due to potential mold issues.
Let’s expand on these points…
Is Brown Sugar Bad for Hummingbirds?
Brown sugar is generally considered safe for hummingbirds to consume, though there is limited research specifically on its effects. Here are some key points:
Made of Same Sugars as White Sugar
Brown sugar contains sucrose, the same sugar found in white table sugar. The difference lies in the molasses content. Brown sugar consists of up to 10% molasses, giving it a darker color and richer flavor. The molasses provides trace amounts of iron, calcium, and potassium.
Widely Used in Homemade Nectar
Many backyard birders use brown sugar to make nectar without any apparent ill effects on hummingbirds. If it was toxic, we would expect to see signs of sickness, but there are no reports of such issues when used properly.
Preferred by Some Hummingbirds
The mild molasses flavor of brown sugar nectar is enjoyed by some hummingbirds. They don’t seem to avoid it or consume less of it compared to white sugar nectar. Their willingness to drink it indicates it is safe for them.
Can Cause Mold if Not Properly Made
One potential downside is that the molasses in brown sugar provides food for mold growth. To avoid this, the nectar solution needs to be made fresh each time in clean containers and any leftovers discarded after a few days. As long as good hygiene practices are followed, mold should not be an issue.
Does Brown Sugar Offer Any Benefits for Hummingbirds?
The possible benefits of using brown sugar rather than white sugar come down to the trace amounts of minerals it provides:
Iron
Iron helps hummingbirds produce healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen. But hummingbirds get adequate iron from their insect diet, so the small amount in brown sugar is unlikely to make a big difference.
Calcium
Calcium supports bone health, muscle function, and enzymatic processes for hummingbirds. Again, they obtain sufficient calcium from insects. The relatively miniscule amount in brown sugar is not a significant source.
Potassium
Potassium assists with fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contractions in hummingbirds. Once more, they get adequate amounts from their normal food sources. Brown sugar nectar only provides 0.5% of daily requirements per serving.
Other Trace Minerals
Molasses also contains tiny amounts of minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese. However, the quantities are negligible compared to a hummingbird’s needs.
May Enhance Flavor
One potential advantage of brown sugar is it provides a slightly more complex, nuanced flavor profile compared to plain white sugar. Some hummingbirds may enjoy this flavor. But it’s unclear if the minerals themselves offer any real health benefits. The amounts are simply too small.
How Does Brown Sugar Nectar Compare to White Sugar Nectar?
Here’s a quick comparison of some key factors between using brown sugar versus white sugar to make homemade hummingbird nectar:
Flavor
The molasses in brown sugar gives it a richer, more complex taste than plain white sugar. Some hummingbirds appear to enjoy this flavor.
Mineral content
Brown sugar contains traces of iron, calcium, potassium and other minerals, whereas white sugar is just sucrose. But the tiny amounts make no real nutritional difference.
Energy value
Both provide the same number of calories – about 20 calories per teaspoon. The sugar composition is nearly identical.
Mold risk
Brown sugar has a slightly higher risk of mold growth if the nectar isn’t changed frequently. Follow good hygiene practices to prevent this.
Color
Brown sugar makes a darker nectar solution compared to clear white sugar nectar. But neither color is necessarily better for attracting hummingbirds.
Cost
Brown sugar is often a little more expensive than white granulated sugar. The price difference is minor in most cases.
Availability
White sugar is ubiquitous, while brown sugar is sometimes less readily available depending on the region and store.
Recommendations from Experts
Many ornithology experts and conservation organizations have looked at the question of whether it’s OK to use brown sugar. Here are the recommendations from some leading sources:
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Recommends using white, refined sugar only. They advise against brown sugar due to potential mold growth issues.
The Hummingbird Society
Also recommends white sugar, not brown. They state brown sugar’s advantages are doubtful and not worth the risks.
The Audubon Society
Advises white sugar or special clear nectar mixes. Says brown sugar is not recommended for nectar because of mold concerns.
Bird Watchers Digest
Suggests plain white sugar is best for nectar. Brown sugar may not dissolve properly and can cause buildup in feeders.
The Spruce
Says white sugar is the best choice and preferable to brown sugar or honey for hummingbird food.
Expert Source | Recommendation |
---|---|
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Avoid brown sugar due to mold risk |
The Hummingbird Society | Avoid brown sugar, use white sugar only |
The Audubon Society | Avoid brown sugar due to mold concerns |
Bird Watchers Digest | Plain white sugar is best choice |
The Spruce | White sugar preferable over brown sugar |
As seen above, the consensus is to use plain white refined sugar rather than brown sugar when making homemade hummingbird nectar.
Conclusion
To summarize the key points:
- Brown sugar does not appear to be toxic or harmful to hummingbirds.
- But brown sugar provides only trace amounts of minerals that offer no real health benefit.
- The molasses in brown sugar can increase the risk of mold if not changed frequently.
- Leading experts recommend white refined sugar as the best choice, not brown sugar.
- Both can be used to make nectar, but white sugar is advised for optimal results.
While brown sugar won’t necessarily endanger hummingbirds, plain white cane or granulated sugar is still considered the best sweetener for homemade nectar. The tiny amounts of minerals in brown sugar are negligible and outweighed by potential mold issues. For the safest and easiest approach, stick with regular white sugar according to most experts.
But if you do opt for brown sugar, be extra diligent about hygiene, clean the feeder thoroughly, and change the nectar every 2-3 days to prevent any mold growth. With proper precautions, even brown sugar nectar can be fed to hummingbirds without problems. It’s just not the very best or recommended choice compared to plain white sugar.
Ultimately it comes down to personal preference. If you notice hummingbirds eagerly drinking brown sugar nectar and emptying your feeder, it indicates they enjoy it and you can continue using it. Just be sure to follow responsible nectar-making practices for the health of your hummingbird visitors.