How to Care for Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are powerful calorie-burning machines. Their metabolism is significantly higher than humans, so they rely on highly concentrated sugar nectars to keep them buzzing. However, their real nutrients come from eating small spiders or insects found on plants. Providing and maintain proper feeders gives these small birds the energy they need to hunt for their real meals
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Things You'll Need
- Hummingbird Feeder
- Sugar
- Water
- Commercial Feeding Solution (optional)
- Bleach
- Plants with Red Blossoms
Instructions
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Maintaining and Placing Hummingbird Feeders
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First, choose the best feeder for your patio or porch. It should be easy to disassemble and clean. If it is not easy to clean, you risk growing molds which can harm the hummingbirds. Choose feeders with bright red bases or solution holders because they are the best to attract hummingbirds.
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Mix one part sugar to four parts tap water. Using commercial solutions is also an option, but not necessary. In hot weather, change the solution every three to four days. Most hummingbirds will not visit the feeder with spoiled solution. Mix extra solution to store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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Clean the feeder with bleach and water every four to five weeks. Dilute one-fourth cup bleach in a gallon of water. Use a brush to clean the feeder and soak it in the bleach solution for 30 minutes to an hour. Rinse and refill with solution. After rinsing the bleach will not harm the birds.
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Choose a place to put your feeder. Placing it near a window allows you to watch the birds’ activities without scaring them. Placing them in your garden near other brightly- colored plants gives them additional food sources.
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Plant a hummingbird garden near the feeder to attract more hummingbirds. Or place brightly colored plants around your patio. Hummingbirds have a weak sense of smell, so they are attracted to bright colors, especially red. Trumpet creepers, butterfly bushes and the Firebird agastache flower are all known to attract hummingbirds.
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In the United States, many people believe they must take in their hummingbirds feeders in September to keep the birds from delaying migration. This is not necessary. Leaving the feeders up through the winter may attract an occasional bird, but it is a different breed of hummingbird that does not migrate. The migratory hummingbirds will not fail to migrate just because the feeder is available.
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Tips & Warnings
Placing banana peels or pieces or fruit near the feeders will attract gnats the hummingbirds feed on.
In the US, many people believe they must take in their hummingbirds feeders in September to keep the birds from delaying migration. This is not necessary. Leaving the feeders up through the winter may attract an occasional bird, but it is a different breed of hummingbird that does not migrate. The migratory hummingbirds will not fail to migrate just because the feeder is available.
Do not boil the water and sugar to make syrup.
Do not use pesticides on plants and flowers in the hummingbird garden and on your patio near feeders. Hummingbirds eat the tiny insects these kill. Also, pesticides can poison hummingbirds.
