Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)
Hummingbird Warning
Aug 2, 2022 06:38:43   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
If you feed hummingbirds, don't think you're doing them a favor by adding honey or brown sugar to the food. If you do feed them, keep the feeders clean. That sugary liquid is the perfect breeding ground (breeding liquid) for things that can kill the birds. This causes problems with their tongues, and they starve to death.

If you want to be kind to these little guys, plan flowers that they like. Artificial food from Walmart is not the best choice. It might give you the opportunity to get nice shots, but at the expense of the birds.

"If you feed hummingbirds, please use a mixture of one part WHITE sugar to four parts water, and clean the feeder at least once a week in cool weather, more often when temperatures are warmer. Using any other ingredients, or allowing the nectar to spoil, can be deadly."

https://hummingbirdbliss.com/hummingbird-diseases-from-pathogens-to-prevention/
https://www.townoflyons.com/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/168#:~:text=If%20mold%20and%20fungus%20grow,condition%20known%20as%20Hummers%20Candidiasis.
https://ethicalbirder.com/2011/05/11/hummingbird-tongue-fungal-infection/

Reply
Aug 3, 2022 07:30:45   #
LeeinNC Loc: Morganton, NC
 

Reply
Aug 3, 2022 09:35:03   #
fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH
 
I've long used the "cup of water to quarter cup of white sugar" mixture in my feeders; I've also been told not to use store bought syrup. I wash out my feeder at every filling, usually 4 or 5 days. In this heat I notice the mixture turns a little cloudy so I change it more often. I have no idea what the chemical reaction is, that's causing the cloudiness but I figure it's not good for the birds.

Reply
 
 
Aug 3, 2022 10:54:51   #
Canisdirus
 
Easy peasy... 1 to 4 ratio white sugar to chlorine free water...city water is a killer btw...test it first.

Mix...slap in micro for 7 minutes (depending on wattage)...pour into container...wait an hour.

Lasts two days...tops...in the south.

Reply
Aug 3, 2022 14:32:36   #
Amielee Loc: Eastern Washington State
 
1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup non chlorine water, rapid boil for 1-2 min. Let cool then place in CLEAN feeder. Change at least every 4 days. While syrup is cooling I wash feeder in soapy water, rinse, soak in chlorine water for 10 min., rinse, rinse then fill. Syrup never turns cloudy or gritty in the base of the feeder.

Reply
Aug 3, 2022 16:02:11   #
ShelbyDave Loc: Lone Rock, WI
 
Thanks

Reply
Aug 3, 2022 16:03:49   #
BBurns Loc: South Bay, California
 
Glad you brought this up. Many people do damage with the best intentions.
Here where it is quite warm we wash the feeders almost every day.

NEVER use any premix with any kind of colored dye in it.

Reply
 
 
Aug 3, 2022 19:20:55   #
Al Freeedman
 
fourlocks wrote:
I've long used the "cup of water to quarter cup of white sugar" mixture in my feeders; I've also been told not to use store bought syrup. I wash out my feeder at every filling, usually 4 or 5 days. In this heat I notice the mixture turns a little cloudy so I change it more often. I have no idea what the chemical reaction is, that's causing the cloudiness but I figure it's not good for the birds.


I've always used a 3:1 mixture using spring water and white sugar
not tap water.
They seem to love this mixture.

Captain Al

Reply
Aug 3, 2022 20:22:12   #
rpatuto Loc: Falmouth, Massachusetts
 
Only wash feeders with hot water NO SOAP. If needed a tiny bit of white vinegar for very dirty feeders and rinse well



Reply
Aug 5, 2022 14:01:28   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
fourlocks wrote:
I've long used the "cup of water to quarter cup of white sugar" mixture in my feeders; I've also been told not to use store bought syrup. I wash out my feeder at every filling, usually 4 or 5 days. In this heat I notice the mixture turns a little cloudy so I change it more often. I have no idea what the chemical reaction is, that's causing the cloudiness but I figure it's not good for the birds.


I quit using the red bottle liquid when I read the refrigerate after opening label. Sugar and water are the best.

Reply
Aug 5, 2022 14:22:04   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
letmedance wrote:
I quit using the red bottle liquid when I read the refrigerate after opening label. Sugar and water are the best.


A friend came to visit a couple of years ago, and he walked into the room drinking a red liquid. "What's that?" I asked. "I got it out of that bottle in the fridge."

Reply
 
 
Aug 5, 2022 16:59:37   #
letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.
 
jerryc41 wrote:
A friend came to visit a couple of years ago, and he walked into the room drinking a red liquid. "What's that?" I asked. "I got it out of that bottle in the fridge."


😁😁😁

Reply
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
General Chit-Chat (non-photography talk)
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.