Why You Should Think Twice Before Trying The Gatorade Hummingbird Feeder Hack

When putting out your hummingbird feeder for the season, you'll want to make sure you add the perfect liquid to attract these adorable little birds. Recently, a trend about putting Gatorade into feeders has been going around. While it sounds like a great idea, it actually has the potential to harm hummingbirds more than help.

The electrolytes in Gatorade are mixed to fit a person's needs, as one bottle is only a small portion of what a person drinks a day, and contains a mix of nutrients fit to meet the demands of someone dehydrated. However, hummingbirds are small, and they can easily drink their body weight several times over in one location throughout the day. If you add Gatorade to a hummingbird feeder, a large portion of their liquid will be full of nutrients not good for them in such high levels.

In fact, there isn't much at all in a Gatorade or similar sports beverage good for hummingbirds. Surprisingly, despite the sugar in this sports drink, it doesn't actually have a high enough amount to give hummingbirds the energy they need.

The nutritional content of the drink isn't the only reason you should avoid Gatorade. If you've been feeding hummingbirds for a while, you likely know that there was a large push to get rid of premade mixes containing dye. Red dye is harmful and unnecessary to attract these little birds, as the flowers they drink from are more than enough to catch their attention. Many Gatorade flavors contain ingredients that change the color of the drink, and they may be harmful to small animals like birds in large doses. Any additions to the feeder may also cause the mixture to spoil faster, increasing health risks.

If you want to feed them, stick to the tried and true method, according to Sheri L. Williamson, an expert in hummingbirds. Sugar and plain water are all these little birds need, and you don't even have to boil the mixture. Generally, a 4-to-1 ratio of water to granulated sugar is best because it most closely mimics the nectar of plants they enjoy. Using alternative sweeteners or any additional ingredients can cause health problems, so don't try and get too creative. Or, if you want to ditch a feeder entirely, you can plant red hummingbird-friendly flowers around your yard. While it sounds simple, it really is the best method if you want to attract these little birds and keep them safe and healthy.