Those with Hummingbird feeders

G

General Lee

New member
I don't know about some, but I am fascinated by these little guys. The past few seasons I had out only one feeder and kept it filled with the store bought powder that turns red when mixed with water. Hummingbirds will defend their feeder from other hummers so sometimes you will only get a couple of birds. Well I decided to add another feeder a few weeks ago and decided to use homemade nectar. (sugar water) Man, what a difference! I have more birds and they absolutely love the homemade nectar. I am filling the feeders everyday or every other day, and they feed all day long.



I have read that sugar water is better for them than the store bought stuff because it doesn't contain any dyes. They also advise do not use food coloring. There is really no evidence that food coloring is harmful, it is just not recommended.



I thought I would post this little bit of info for those that feed hummingbirds or are just starting out with them. I use 1 part sugar to 4 parts water/ 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water. Plus its cheaper to make then to buy :)
 
General Lee, what style of feeder(s) do you use? I have yet to find a feeder I'm completely happy with. I'm a bit of a fanatic (imagine that ;)) about keeping the feeder clean and I find most styles do not lend themselves to easy and thorough cleaning. My last feeder was shaped like a pie dish with a lid. It was easy to clean, but, when it rained, it would fill up with rain water and any dirt that had collected on the top surface.
 
Hey another bird fan! Hummers are fun to watch..so small too!



I've had good luck using a sugar/water mix, but I think I may have made it too sweet, but they'll still come and take a sip on cool days.



The healthiest way to get hummers in your yard would be to plant flowers that they are fond of. And never use honey!
 
Amazing little critters. Incredibly fast and maneuverable, feisty little buggers.



IIRC the 4:1 dilution is very strong, almost too strong. Any stronger and they run the risk of getting sick. I think it's kidney or liver overload or something.



We generally use a dilution between 6:1 and 9:1. They love it. They're constantly draining the three feeders we have up.



When it's cold and about to rain they get less aggressive and more likely to tolerate each other. Then you'll see eight of them on the feeder at one time instead of fighting over it.





PC.
 
My new neighborhood is has a few designated bird sanctuaries in it, and we have ton of birds. I have two regular feeders, one for small birds and one for the bigger guys. Recently I decided to try my luck with a couple hummingbird feeders, but unfortunately, they never showed. I guess I just don't have any in my area or something. Now, if only I can figure out how to attract that woodpecker I hear all the time.
 
JDookie said:
My new neighborhood is has a few designated bird sanctuaries in it, and we have ton of birds. I have two regular feeders, one for small birds and one for the bigger guys. Recently I decided to try my luck with a couple hummingbird feeders, but unfortunately, they never showed. I guess I just don't have any in my area or something. Now, if only I can figure out how to attract that woodpecker I hear all the time.
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You may have some luck putting out fruit and nuts for the woodpeckers. Also, wal mart sells a woodpecker bar for about $2 that may work, although the mockingbirds here are crazy about them.
 
superstring said:
General Lee, what style of feeder(s) do you use? I have yet to find a feeder I'm completely happy with. I'm a bit of a fanatic (imagine that ;)) about keeping the feeder clean and I find most styles do not lend themselves to easy and thorough cleaning. My last feeder was shaped like a pie dish with a lid. It was easy to clean, but, when it rained, it would fill up with rain water and any dirt that had collected on the top surface.
Click to expand...



I use the glass tubular stlye feeders. They are a little wider at the top and get skinny towards the bottom. At the bottom a piece screws on the bottle opening and has 4 fake flowers that give access to the solution. Inside the flowers pieces are small yellow screened adapters that help keep out some bugs, yet still allow the birds to get their beaks in the sloution. It also has little perches so the birds can perch and feed instead of hovering to feed. They are not high dollar feeders by all means, you can find them anywhere. They are simple yet effective. You turn the feeder upright to fill it then turn it over upside down if you will to hang it. No rain water or debris can get in this way.
 
the other pc said:
Amazing little critters. Incredibly fast and maneuverable, feisty little buggers.



IIRC the 4:1 dilution is very strong, almost too strong. Any stronger and they run the risk of getting sick. I think it's kidney or liver overload or something.



We generally use a dilution between 6:1 and 9:1. They love it. They're constantly draining the three feeders we have up.



When it's cold and about to rain they get less aggressive and more likely to tolerate each other. Then you'll see eight of them on the feeder at one time instead of fighting over it.





PC.
Click to expand...



Mmmm, all the info sites I have read recommend 4:1, other people I know that feed them use 4:1 also. I may have to do some more research on this. I have read that certain factors can harm their kidneys and livers but 4:1 seems safe. Thanks for the heads up. I'm gonna look into to this.
 
General Lee -



I used to live in MD, outside of Annapolis, in Arnold. We didn't have any humming birds around. Tried feeders, but never saw any.



My g'pa lives outside of Little Rock, AR and he used to have tons of them on his front porches. When my g'ma was still alive, they would have 8 or so feeders out there, and have to fill them up every morning. Was neat to get up in the morning, eat your breakfast and watch them buzz around.



Have only seen a few here in the mid-west buzzing around my g/f mom's garden, but that's about it.



Will have to check our apt guidelines and see if we can put a bird feeder on our porch...
 
DSimmon-



How long did you leave the feeders out? It does take them a little while to find the feeders. Once they do, Stand by.......
 
I love my little hummers, too.



I also plant salvia around the base of the feeder pole. They come from miles around.



salvia-red.jpg
 
General Lee said:
I use the glass tubular stlye feeders. They are a little wider at the top and get skinny towards the bottom. At the bottom a piece screws on the bottle opening and has 4 fake flowers that give access to the solution. Inside the flowers pieces are small yellow screened adapters that help keep out some bugs, yet still allow the birds to get their beaks in the sloution. It also has little perches so the birds can perch and feed instead of hovering to feed. They are not high dollar feeders by all means, you can find them anywhere. They are simple yet effective. You turn the feeder upright to fill it then turn it over upside down if you will to hang it. No rain water or debris can get in this way.
Click to expand...



Yeah, I know the ones you mean, although I haven't tried one yet. The debris thing is a nuisance, but I can deal with it. I'm more concerned about giving the feeder a periodic thorough cleaning so it doesn't begin to grow mold etc. Are all the parts of your feeders easy to clean in that respect?
 
My wife and I just put one of those cheap red feeders up a few weeks ago and within just hours of doing so we had a little female hummer visit.



To date we have seen at least one other female and one male but judging by the amount of food that disappears there must be more than the three we've seen feeding. Its funny to watch as one female has definitely declared it "her" feeder...she chases everything (including the male) away!!
 
Superstring- yes the feeders I use are fairly easy to clean. Just don't use dish soap. They will be able to taste the residue. I just rinse mine with hot water and wipe any dirt or exterior mold with a dish sponge. The say for bad cases of mold use a diluted bleach solution (make it weak) and then rinse thoroughly with cold water.



Mike- Yes they sure are fiesty. My feeders hang off my deck rails and my deck is elevated. So if we are on the deck they pay no attention to us and rip and roar all over the place. Several times I have been almost clocked in the head. It was all I could do move out of the way.
 
Hummingbirds are the best, they like my red cannas, I would love to find a fedder that's easier to clean. I've got the glass housing with the plastic base, seems to get black with something on the plastic. Time to buy a new one, maybe next season.
 
General Lee said:
Mmmm, all the info sites I have read recommend 4:1, other people I know that feed them use 4:1 also. I may have to do some more research on this. I have read that certain factors can harm their kidneys and livers but 4:1 seems safe. Thanks for the heads up. I'm gonna look into to this.
Click to expand...



That's right, I think the recommended ratio is 4:1. The reason the weaker solutions went through so quickly by the birds because there weren't enough sugar and the birds have to keep coming back to get their boost.
 
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