A common practice is putting out feeders filled with sugary “nectar” to attract and feed hummingbirds.
While they certainly love the sweet taste, is grape jelly actually good for hummingbirds?
The natural diet of hummingbirds
The natural diet of hummingbirds consists of flower nectar and small insects.
In the wild, they get all the nutrition they need from these sources. The nectar provides them with carbohydrates and some minerals.
Insects supply them with protein, healthy fats, and other important nutrients.
Hummingbirds have evolved with specialized adaptations that allow them to thrive on flower nectar as an energy source.
Their long, slender beaks and extended tongue allow them to access the nectar hidden deep within tubular flowers.
Their bifurcated tongue acts like a tiny straw, with the two forked ends collecting nectar.
Hummingbirds also have the fastest metabolism of all animals, needing to eat frequently.
They feed every 10-15 minutes, visiting hundreds of flowers daily and consuming more than their body weight in nectar.
Flowers with suitable nectar for hummingbirds include trumpet vine, coral honeysuckle, cardinal flower, bee balms, and certain salvias, fuchsias and petunias.
Hummingbirds also consume small soft-bodied insects like gnats, aphids, spiders, caterpillars and tree sap for essential proteins and nutrients.
They prefer insects that are small enough to swallow whole.
When people put out a feeder filled with grape jelly, they are providing the birds with pure sugar and calories.
Grape jelly contains no protein, healthy fats, vitamins or minerals.
It is essentially like candy for hummingbirds.
Eating too much grape jelly and not enough natural foods can lead to health issues over time.
Health risks of too much grape jelly
Some key health risks of relying too heavily on grape jelly include:
Weight gain
The excess sugar and calories can quickly lead to unwanted weight gain. Excess weight makes it harder for hummingbirds to fly and puts stress on their hearts.
Diabetes
A sugary grape jelly diet can cause blood sugar levels to spike then crash. This can potentially trigger diabetic symptoms.
Liver disease
Too much sugar forces the liver to work overtime to metabolize it. Over time, it can become fatty and inflamed.
Consuming excessive amounts of sugar from grape jelly can also lead to various types of inflammation in hummingbirds.
It can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, allowing harmful bacteria to thrive while depleting beneficial bacteria.
This imbalance causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, impairing a hummingbird’s ability to properly digest and absorb nutrients from their food.
The gut inflammation can also damage the intestinal lining and cause “leaky gut syndrome.”
Furthermore, the sugar spike from grape jelly feeds candida and yeast overgrowth.
When these populations get out of control, they can cause candidiasis infections and illnesses.
The excess sugar essentially acts as fuel for these troublesome microorganisms.
Dental issues
The large amounts of sugar in grape jelly can also wreak havoc on hummingbirds’ tooth enamel and oral health over time.
Like humans, hummingbirds are susceptible to tooth decay when consuming excessive simple sugars.
The bacteria in their mouths feed on the sugars and release acid as a byproduct.
This acid erodes and damages tooth enamel, causing cavities and decay. Without dental care, cavities lead to infection and tooth loss.
Hummingbirds rely on their small beaks and tongue to collect nectar, so dental issues can quickly become life-threatening if they prevent proper feeding.
Excess sugar has also been linked to high blood sugar levels that potentially impact hummingbird behavior and brain function.
The sugar rush may be followed by a crash, negatively affecting energy, mood, memory and cognitive abilities. More research is needed, but moderating sugar intake may help maintain neurological health.
Nutrient deficiencies
Lack of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals from natural foods can cause hummingbirds to become deficient.
This weakens their bones, feathers and immune system.
In addition to internal deficiencies, a diet too high in grape jelly and low in protein can lead to poor external feather quality in hummingbirds.
Feathers are primarily composed of a protein called keratin.
Without adequate protein intake, new feathers that grow in will be weak, brittle and prone to breaking.
The vibrant, iridescent colors of hummingbirds’ feathers come from light refracting off the microscopic structure of the keratin.
Lack of nutrients impairs the development of this structure, causing dull, faded coloring of feathers.
Essentially, vibrant feathers are a sign of good health, while poor diet leads to poor feather quality.
Behavioral issues
Relying too much on feeders full of jelly may cause hummingbirds to lose their natural ability to forage for food on their own.
Healthier alternatives to grape jelly
While small amounts of grape jelly won’t immediately harm hummingbirds, it lacks the balanced nutrition they need. Some better alternatives for hummingbird feeders include:
Sugar water nectar
Dissolving 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar approximates natural flower nectar. Avoid food coloring.
Homemade nectar
Recipes using water, sugar, and nutrients like electrolytes are healthier than plain jelly.
When making homemade nectar for hummingbirds, it is important to do so safely by properly boiling water and mixing in the ideal ratio of sugar.
Only plain white sugar should be used, never honey, artificial sweeteners or any other additives.
Bring clean water to a rapid boil for one full minute to sterilize and remove any chlorine.
Let the water fully cool before mixing in one part sugar to four parts water.
Refrigerate unused portions and change nectar out every few days to prevent fermentation or bacterial growth.
Clean feeders thoroughly with hot water and let dry fully before refilling.
Homemade nectar supports hummingbird health far better than plain grape jelly alone. With some basic precautions, it can be a nutritious supplemental food source.
Fruit purees
Blends of banana, berries, melon, orange, peach or pear work well in feeders. These provide more nutrients.
Another way to provide balanced nutrition from fruit is to offer small chunks speared onto twigs or skewers.
Hummingbirds will gleefully pluck off and consume bits of apples, pears, oranges, bananas, melons, berries and more.
The juicy flesh and sugars satisfy their taste for sweets while the fiber and vitamins support health.
Alternately, pieces of fruit can be placed directly into open feeders for easy access.
Focus on certified organic produce to minimize pesticide contamination. Wash all fruit thoroughly before feeding.
Rotating a variety of different fruits will provide a diverse nutritional profile.
Commercial nectar
There are pre-made powdered nectar mixes that contain sugar, vitamins and minerals.
These are designed specifically to meet hummingbirds’ nutritional requirements.
Providing live insects or larvae can be an excellent way to supplement the diet of hummingbirds visiting your feeders.
Insects provide the essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and protein that hummingbirds need.
Some easy insect options are mealworms, beetles, ants, small crickets, flies and moth larvae.
These can simply be placed in shallow dishes or bowls for the birds to eat.
While more challenging, attracting bees, butterflies, and spiders to your garden also provides natural insect food sources.
Never use any insects that have been caught or sprayed with pesticides.
When in doubt, it is safest to purchase live insects from a reputable bait shop or online supplier.
This ensures they are safe for hummingbird consumption.
How to reduce potential health risks of using Grape Jelly
Use it sparingly – Jelly should not be the sole food source. Have other feeders with proper nectar available too. The birds still need natural foods.
Avoid fillers – Make sure the jelly does not contain unhealthy added sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. 100% fruit jelly is better.
Don’t let it ferment – Change it out frequently, so it does not go bad and ferment. Fermented jelly can make birds ill.
Clean feeders – Wash feeders thoroughly with hot water and replace jelly every few days to prevent mold.
Use as a treat – Consider grape jelly an occasional treat for hummingbirds rather than a dietary staple. They will enjoy the sweet flavor.
Monitor birds – Pay attention to any signs of weight gain or unusual behavior that may indicate the jelly is causing harm.
With a little care and moderation, hummingbirds can enjoy grape jelly as a supplemental treat a couple of times a week.
It should never be their sole food source.
Maintaining their natural diet along with some jelly on occasion is the healthiest approach. Consulting an avian veterinarian for guidance is also recommended.
In summary, while hummingbirds go crazy for the sugary taste of grape jelly, it does not provide balanced nutrition on its own.
When used as an occasional treat in conjunction with proper nectar and natural foods, small amounts are unlikely to pose much risk.
Allowing hummingbirds to overindulge on grape jelly alone, however, can negatively impact their health over the long-term.
Moderation and variety are key when it comes to feeding hummingbirds. With some common sense, you can help provide these special birds a diet that meets all their nutritional needs.
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