Hummingbirds love to drink a simple mixture of sugar and water, and due to how dehydrating their high levels of activity can be, additional sources of food are critical.

You can create this mixture by combining 1 cup of spring water with ¼ cup of white granulated sugar, according to The International Hummingbird Society.

It's essential to use only pure white sugar that has been refined, because molasses contains iron that is harmful to the birds.

Honey breeds dangerous bacteria and fungi when it's mixed with water, and artificial sweeteners should also be avoided due to the lack of necessary nutrients.

Make small batches of nectar at a time, using spring water since it doesn’t need to be boiled, and stir vigorously to help dissolve the sugar.