Songbird Essentials-Red Hummingbird Nectar, 24 Ounce Can, Dry Concentrate Nectar Mix for Hummingbirds.

This is the 4th hummingbird nectar I’ve tried over the the last 5 years and will now be the only one I use. At first I made my own mix but it would spoil during hot weather and I couldn’t keep up to make it fast enough so I looked for a ready made powdered nectar. I found Perky Pet at our local garden/hardware store and used that; it mixed easily and our hummers seemed to like it. Then I ran out and went to buy more only to find every store in town only stocked the liquid version which was a deal breaker due to it expense (more than the powder version had been) and our small fridge. I finally found one store that carried powdered hummer food, a brand by “More Birds” that claims to be “Premium Instant Nectar” (let the irony of both of those sink in a bit). The hummers would come but wouldn’t stay long at the feeder so I decided to see what I could find online. I wanted something that was 1) powdered 2) didn’t have artificial coloring 3) didn’t have preservatives 4) was safe for the hummers to drink and 5) was reasonably priced. The Songbird Essentials mix met all of my criteria so I decided to give it a try.The day the can arrived I poured out the Perky Pet nectar that was left in the feeder, cleaned it good and mixed up a batch of Songbird Essentials mix. Right away I noticed that the color was different; more magenta-like than the usual watercolor red dye #40 look of the Perky Pet and More Birds. For those used to that deep “red” color Songbird Essentials won’t get any darker color by adding more powdered nectar. I actually added less than what the can says to for 8oz (I did only one scoop) and the hummers still love it!PROS:1. The mix is made from natural ingredients (it’s color is derived from the Hibiscus and Carmine flower – how’s that for natural)2. The packaging is great: cardboard can with a scoop and plastic lid for easy storage3. The mix ratio is easy to follow and clearly marked on the container4. Directions (mixing, cleaning etc.) are straight forward and easy to read (I can read everything without having to wear my reading glasses if needed).5. It’s made in the US :)6. It’s reasonably priced ($11.50 for a 24oz container)7. Best of all our little hummers love, Love, LOVE this mix! The picture you see of the hummer at the feeder is after 1 1/2 days. It was full to the top when I set it out the afternoon when I got home from work. As a comparison, the amount you see is how much was usually left after about a week with the other mixes.CONS: I can’t think of any (except I wish I our local stores would carry Songbird Essentials).