We were too sweet on hummingbirds, readers say

Several readers wrote in to tell us that a recipe for hummingbird food in Thursday’s FYI had too much sugar and could be harmful to the birds, which often stick around Snohomish County during the winter.

The ratio recommended by many experts is one cup sugar to four cups of water. Boil the mixture and cool before filling hummingbird feeders.

Don’t use red dye or coloring, as it too could be harmful to the birds, said Susie Schaefer, vice president of Pilchuck Audubon.