Home - Garden
Think Twice Before Adding Gatorade To Your Hummingbird Feeder
By LINDSAY DONALDSON
While Gatorade is a go-to for athletes to stay hydrated on a hot day, the rumor that it is as equally beneficial for hummingbirds as it is for humans is unfounded — and dangerous.
Some hummingbird enthusiasts have been using Gatorade for the perfect mix of water, sugar, and electrolytes in their feeders with overwhelmingly positive responses from the birds.
Although some scientific studies have shown that adding electrolytes to a sugar and water formula can help hummingbirds stay hydrated, it has received criticism from other experts.
Hummingbird expert Sheri L. Williamson cautions against feeding the birds anything that includes dyes or nutritional supplements. Unfortunately, Gatorade contains both.
These additives may also cause the nectar to spoil more quickly, which threatens the birds’ health. Gatorade’s salt content and dyes could also be dangerous for their tiny systems.