Grape jelly feeders attract fruit-eating birds, but is there a risk to hummingbirds? Learn how to feed jelly safely and alternative bird foods.
Are Grape Jelly Feeders Dangerous for Hummingbirds?
Published on Jul. 02, 2025
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Do Grape Jelly Feeders Put Birds at Risk?
Setting up a grape jelly feeder in your backyard is a classic way to attract fruit-eating birds like orioles, catbirds and tanagers, particularly in early spring when many berries haven’t quite ripened yet. But if you’ve been on Facebook or other social media, you may have seen a post or two showing hummingbirds that have gotten dangerously (and sometimes fatally) stuck in the sticky jelly.
So, does this mean you should banish all jelly feeders from your backyard forever? Not quite, says Brittni Kaplanek, the director of wildlife rehabilitation at the Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. “We fortunately have not admitted hummingbirds covered in sticky jelly,” she says, noting that if a bird (hummingbird or otherwise) gets stuck in jelly, it’s most likely due to an improper feeder set-up.
Check out hummingbird feeder mistakes you should never make.
Are Some Jelly Feeders Safer Than Others?
“If grape jelly is offered in an inappropriate container, like on a plate or wide-mouthed dish, there is some risk of an oriole becoming coated in it,” Brittni says. “However, in our experience at the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, we have rarely seen this as an issue.”
The danger with offering a heap of grape jelly, especially in a large vessel or one not specifically designed for it, is that birds can slip while trying to access the jelly and quickly become trapped. Although grape jelly isn’t a high-interest food for hummingbirds, its sweetness attracts tiny insects that hummingbirds do like to eat. (And in a pinch, a hummingbird might try jelly anyway, especially if it has a high enough sugar content that mimics the nectar they love.)
“If you want to offer jelly at your feeder, we recommend placing the jelly in a narrow-mouthed jar or dish,” says Brittni. “And to avoid confusion for the hummingbirds, we recommend keeping jelly containers and nectar feeders separate, and don’t use red-colored vessels for jelly.” (Hummingbirds are attracted to warm colors, like red and pink.)
When and How Should You Feed Grape Jelly to Birds?
Grape jelly doesn’t offer much in nutritional value, so think of it as a sweet treat instead of a main course. Spring and fall migration is also when fruit-eating birds are looking for an energizing pick-me-up. Plus, grape jelly can quickly spoil in the hot summer sun, so it’s better to avoid setting it out during the height of summer anyway.
Avoid grape jelly with artificial sweeteners, colors and flavoring, and only offer jelly in small amounts — about a quarter of a cup. Check daily for any mold on the jelly. Thoroughly clean out the feeder whenever you refresh the jelly. It also helps to keep your jelly feeders in a place where it’s easy to regularly monitor or check on them at a glance.
What Are Other Ways to Feed Orioles That Don’t Include Jelly?
Of course, there are plenty of ways to attract fruit-eating birds that don’t involve jelly at all. “For long-term, positive impact, consider adding plants to your yard that produce berries and other fruits for birds,” Brittni advises. Depending on your region, a few berry-heavy plants you might consider include red mulberries, raspberries and blueberries.
If you want to attract orioles in particular, try setting out halved oranges or mealworms. Orioles also like the same sugar-water as hummingbirds and will visit nectar feeders that have perches for them to land on. (They can’t hover like hummingbirds.)
Have other fruit-eating bird species in mind? “Reach out to your local bird club, master gardener or naturalist, or university extension for advice,” Brittni says. “Habitat, weather, and species vary across the country, so they will be a great resource on what will thrive and be successful in your area. You can also ask the staff at your local bird-feeding supply store for their ideas on how you can safely offer fruit to birds at your feeder.”
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About the Expert
Brittni Kaplanek is the director of wildlife rehabilitation and an advanced licensed wildlife rehabilitator at the Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She’s been a wildlife rehabilitator for nearly a decade.
Sources
- Birds Canada – “Tips for Feeding and Attracting Orioles”
- Southeastern Avian Research – “Are Jelly Feeders Safe If You Feed Hummingbirds?”
- Laura Erickson – “Jelly Is Killing Hummingbirds”
- Black Swamp Bird Observatory – “Hummingbird & Oriole Feeding Tips”
