Great General Information on Hummingbirds
http://www.hummingbirds.net
Operation Ruby Throat
http://www.rubythroat.org
Save some money, make your own hummingbird
food. Remember -- never use red food dye or honey.
http://www.hummingbirds.net/feeders.html#recipe
First Time Feeding the Hummingbirds?
Some Tips on Selecting a Feeder
There are a lot of different styles of hummingbird feeders available in the stores. Before you decide on which one to buy, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each.
Some feeder styles actually attract bees and ants.
Many insects love the same nectar that hummingbirds thrive on.
Choose a style of feeder that won't drip nectar when filled. Also,
don't choose a style that puts the nectar right at the openings.
If the nectar is served right at the opening, bees and ants can
access it easily. Hummingbirds have very long tongues and can
lap up nectar from a distance.
Yellow jacket wasps are attracted by the color yellow.
If you choose a feeder that has yellow "flowers" on
it, plan on swarms of bees around your feeder.
As pretty as some feeders are, don't buy one made
of glass. The larger birds, especially goldfinches, will become
curious about what the hummingbirds are feasting on. The larger
birds will likely cause the feeder to swing quite a bit. If you've
invested in an expensive glass feeder, you won't be happy to find
it in pieces on your patio.
And, don't buy a feeder that holds a lot of nectar.
If it holds a lot, you may be tempted to fill it and leave it.
The nectar needs to be changed at least weekly when the air temperature
is below 80 degrees. When its hotter, you need to change it every
few days.
Here's an example of a feeder that has another problem
- a suction cup. When a larger bird tries to sit on this feeder,
it falls from the window.
Things to look for when buying a feeder. Perches - a place for your hummingbirds to sit -- so they won't have to eat on the fly. An ant moat - something that will stop a parade of ants from reaching the nectar. And a feeder that holds the nectar under and away from the openings. This example is similiar to the ones we use.
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since 3/24/05. |