Hummingbird Feeder Lesson
Male Anna Hummingbird
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
Directions: Heat 4 cups almost boiling water; then add 1 cup of Pure Cane Sugar and stir. Place it in the refrigerator until cool (several hours or overnight).
Fill hummingbird feeder halfway to two-thirds and hang outside. The remaining nectar can be refrigerated for several weeks.
Choose a feeder for optimum cleanliness and function:
- Glass over plastic
- One with a wide circular opening to easily insert a brush for thorough cleaning
- Simple to take apart, to reach every nook and cranny
- A feeder with a stand in front of each feeding port is preferred, so hummingbirds can sit and rest while feeding, as shown below in the middle picture. Below are a few examples of good hummingbird feeders, which can be found at any store that carries birdseed supplies, as listed above.
CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL BIRD FEEDERS.
About once a week, soak in hot soapy water which includes Dove dishwasher detergent and a dash of white vinegar and/or bleach. Scrub all parts well, especially the inside. Watch for signs of mold – black dots.
**DO NOT use honey, agave syrup, brown sugar, molasses or artificial sweeteners. Use only Pure Cane Sugar. Also, do not use ready-made nectar available in stores, as they contain preservatives and/or red dye, neither of which is good for the hummingbirds. Change and clean all your outdoor feeders often - in hot weather, every 1-2 days: in cooler weather, every 3-5 days. Keep feeder out of direct sunlight and inclement weather as much as possible.
BAFFLE
1 – Add a bird feeder baffle to place above or below to protect all types of bird feeders from sun and inclement weather, squirrels and other critters.
A good selection of baffles can be found in Amazon.
Hummingbird Feeders should include shade to help keep the nectar free of fermented mold. Use an umbrella and/or baffle.
2 – ANT MOATS: We recommend that you use an ant moat to hang above each hummingbird feeder. This will keep away ants, who are strongly attracted to that sweet sugar-water combination. You can search for these online. I like these attractive ones shown below which I found on Etsy or Ebay by googling hummingbird feeder ant moats. Every few days, visit your feeders to make sure the ant moats are filled with adequate water. The single red one below is filled with pesticides. It works, but I prefer to have a garden without any pesticides at all. Both kinds work to keep the ants away.
Southern California Bird ID laminated folder
To purchase one of these double-sided bird ID for Southern California, go to Amazon.com and google ‘Feeder Birds of Southern California’ to assist you in identifying the bird species visiting your backyard feeders.
INEXPENSIVE COMMON BIRD FEEDERS
(use these feeders for black-oil-sunflower-seeds, wild finch seeds and sunflower-hearts and chips)
This type of circular bird feedersare found any place where wild bird seed is sold.
Make sure to get one that is easy to fill and easy to take apart for cleaning.
PLATFORM FEEDERS: There are many types of platform bird feeders. These are ideal, since many birds are too big stand on the feeders hanging above.
BIRD BATH - WATER SUPPLY: Always add a bird bath for your feathery friends, preferably with moving water. I use both a large one for drinking and baths and a tabletop one with electricity and moving water.
Backyard Fountain
Tabletop Fountain with moving water
which birds prefer
OUTDOOR HANGING ACCESSORIES:
Gazebo (or use umbrellas)
Feeding Station