Feeding Hummingbirds

God's Warrior · Feeding Hummingbirds

Feeding Hummingbirds

HGTV - Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-901
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_wildl...icle/0,,HGTV_3652_2607863,00.html

Master gardener Paul James, host of Gardening by the Yard, discusses how to attract and care for what he describes as "arguably the coolest birds of all" — hummingbirds, or as they are more affectionately known, hummers:

The first step in attracting hummingbirds is to set out nectar feeders (figure A). "You can buy fancy and expensive feeders," says James. "But to tell you the truth, the cheap glass or plastic feeders work just as well or better, especially the flashy red ones."

Here's one that uses a plastic recycled pop or water bottle as a nectar reservoir (figure B). At less than $5, it's a bargain and it works great too. And speaking of nectar, you can make your own or you can buy what's called "instant nectar."

To make your own nectar, dissolve one part sugar to four parts boiling water. Allow the mixture to cool before filling your feeders. You can also buy instant nectar powder in various flavors such as strawberry (figure C), which dissolves readily in warm water. Superfine sugar, often sold as baker's sugar, works well and dissolves readily in cold water.

A few cautions, however: Whatever you do, don't use honey and don't add food coloring to the nectar. Either can be harmful to your little hummers. Don't use sugar substitutes either, because they don't have any nutrient value.

Hang your feeders in a sheltered, semi-shady location. Too much sun on them can cause tube feeders like this one to drip on their own (figure D). Leaky feeders not only waste nectar but can also attract ants by the millions.

As all hummingbird fans know, ants can be a real problem at feeders. So if ants are indeed a problem in your area, consider buying and installing an ant guard (figure E), which mounts above the feeder (figure F) and prevents ants from crawling down to it.

Ants aren't the only uninvited feeder guests; bees can also become a nuisance. When bees are around your feeders, hummingbirds simply will not feed. That's why most feeders come equipped with bee guards, but if the one you bought doesn't have one, you can always go out and buy one; install it (figure G) by attaching it to the tip of tube.

"The most important thing to keep in mind is that your feeders must be cleaned routinely (figure H)," James says. Ideally, clean them at least once a week with soap and warm water (more frequently when the weather is hot). The sugar-water mixture is a perfect breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria, and certain forms of bacteria can be harmful to hummers. In addition to feeders, a number of flowering plants attract hummingbirds, especially those with tubular-shaped flowers such as honeysuckle, salvia and bee balm (Monarda).

"One of the favorites here at my place is the tropical shrub Tecoma stans, often sold as 'Esperanza' or 'Hope' (figure I)," James says. "And if you combine both nectar feeders and flowering plants for your hummingbirds, you'll be so happy you can't help but hum!"

smokey the dog

We have tried for several years to attract hummingbirds without successs, though I did see one in our yard once, but not at the feeder.

God's Warrior

What we have done in our garden is to planting flowers and shrubs that attract them rather than trying to keep feeders clean. In our hot climate the feeders get dirty amazingly fast.

There are lots of plants that fall in the list of plants to use for attracting hummers and butterflies. I may have listed some of them in the Gardening forum. If not, I should do that, huh?

smokey the dog

Well my wife has had hummingbird feeders up for a while now and we are seeing the ruby throated hummingbirds native to our area.

this one is a female.

God's Warrior

That is an excellent picture. Aren't they delightful? I just love them. I don't do feeders but I do plant flowers that they love so I have lots of them too. I have never managed to get a photo however since they flit around the flowers so rapidly.

Mary

It was about 3 years before I saw a hummer here. I put up a feeder and waited, and waited, and waited. Nothing. And then one little bird found it! The next year I think I saw 2 or 3, and there have been more since then. I got a second feeder and put it on the opposite side of the house where it could not be seen from the first one. We counted 7 this year at one feeder, and believe me, they are hard to count!

When we bought this place there were almost no flowers. I have gradually turned our yard into a little oasis in the desert and planted a variety of shrubs and flowers to attract the hummers and butterflies. My most troublesome pest around the feeders is wasps, but the hummers dart around and find an opening. When I replace the feeders I will get the kind with bee guards.

smokey the dog

Saw this little hummer sitting in the tree where the feeder is located