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Can Birds Eat Honey?

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Honey is a natural sweetener that many people enjoy, but when it comes to birds, the suitability of honey as a food source is a bit more complex. While honey isn’t toxic to birds, there are several important considerations to keep in mind when thinking about offering honey to birds.

closeup of honeycomb with cartoon image of purple bird in center of image with words "can birds eat honey" at the top of image

Serving Honey at a Bird Feeder

Offering honey at a bird feeder is not generally recommended. Here’s why:

  • Sticky Nature: Honey’s sticky texture can be problematic for birds. If honey gets on their feathers, especially on their wings, it can hinder their ability to fly or keep themselves insulated.
  • Attracts Pests: Honey can attract ants, bees, and other insects, which may overrun your bird feeder, making it less accessible for birds.
  • Fermentation Risk: In hot weather, honey can ferment or spoil, which could be harmful to birds.

Do Hummingbirds Eat Honey?

Hummingbirds are primarily nectar feeders, and while honey might seem like a natural sweet substance to offer them, it’s not recommended as part of their diet. Here’s why:

Nutritional Imbalance: Honey does not provide the same nutritional value as the natural nectar found in flowers, which is specifically suited to meet the dietary needs of hummingbirds. Flower nectar contains a balance of sugars, amino acids, and other nutrients beneficial for hummingbirds, which honey lacks.

Potential for Fermentation and Bacterial Growth: When diluted in water, honey can ferment and harbor harmful bacteria like Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium can cause avian botulism, which can be fatal to hummingbirds and other bird species.

Risk of Stickiness: Like with other birds, the stickiness of honey can be problematic for hummingbirds. It can get on their feathers, especially around their beak and wings, interfering with their flight and feeding capabilities.

Instead of honey, it is recommended to use a sugar-water mixture to feed hummingbirds. A ratio of 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water is generally advised; the nectar is cooled then put into hummingbird feeders. This mixture more closely mimics the natural nectar’s sugar concentration that hummingbirds feed on from flowers. Additionally, the sugar-water solution should be changed regularly, and feeders should be cleaned frequently to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.

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Paris Permenter
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