Monday, June 12, 2006

Hummingbirds



Attracting Hummingbirds by way of feeders-

Here's the recipe for artificial nectar (syrup):

1. Use one part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water.
2. It's not necessary to boil the water. The microorganisms that cause fermentation don't come from the water; they are transported to the feeder on hummingbird bills.
3. Store unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
4. This mixture approximates the average sucrose content (about 21%) of the flowers favored by North American hummingbirds, without being so sweet it attracts too many insects.

Do not put honey, Jell-O, brown sugar, fruit, koolaid, or red food coloring in your feeder! Honey ferments rapidly when diluted with water and can kill hummingbirds. The effects of red dye have not been not scientifically tested, and it is not necessary to color the water to attract birds to your feeder. Further, there are unverified reports that red dye can cause tumors in hummingbirds; this may or may not be true, but why take the chance?

Nectar feeders need to be cleaned at least every other day during the hot summer months. Otherwise, the sugar will ferment and could cause deadly salmonella poisoning to hummingbirds.If you have the option, use only white sugar in your feeders.

It is not necessary to supplement the sugar water with vitamins, protiens, minerals, or other substances. The birds themselves gather these from the nectar and buggies they consume. All we are doing is supplying them with a quick energy boost, or a treat :)
However, if distilled, or demineralized water is to be used, some researchers believe that it would be wise to add a pinch of sodium-free salt to replenish the potassium chloride which is lost to help bring the salt content of the artifical necter back to normal levels found within natural necter. This may also help prevent electrolyte deficiencies. DO NOT use common household sodium chloride (table salt). Salt is only necessary when pure, filtered water is to be used.

It is thought that hummingbirds are sensetive and attracted to UV light, so festooning the feeder(s) with red or orange surveyor's tape may help reflect UV and help attract more hummers.
A single hummer needs the nectar of approximately 1,000 blossoms each and every day to sustain life?

There are over 150 varieties of flowering plants in North America that attract hummingbirds. It is essential to keep in mind that hummers prefer tubular flowers that allow their long, needle-like bills to fit inside these tubes. Thus, their tongues can easily lap up the sweet nectar found deep inside the flower tubes.

Some flowers to help attract hummingbirds would consist of:

Beard Tongue (Penstemon)
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)
Browallia
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
California Fuchsia (Zauschneria)
Canna
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Columbia Lily (Lilium columbianum)
Columbine (Aquilegia)
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Delphinium; Foxglove (Digitalis)
Firespike
Four O'Clocks
Foxglove
Fuchsia
Geranium (Pelargonium)
Gladiolus
Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
Hosta
Hummingbird Mint (Agastache)
Impatiens
Iris
Jacobiana
Jewelweed
Lilac
Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus)
Little Cigar
Lobelia laxiflora
Lupine (Lupinus)
Ohio Buckeye
Penstemon
Petunia
Phlox
Salvia (Sage)
Spider Flower (Cleome hasslerana)
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Yucca
Zinnia

Trees and shrubs:

Azalea
Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
Cape Honeysuckle
Flame Acanthus
Flowering Quince
Lantana
Manzanita
Mimosa
Red Buckeye
Tree Tobacco
Turk's Cap
Weigela

Vines:

Coral Honeysuckle
Cypress Vine
Morning Glory

Using pesticides around hummingbird plants is a very bad idea. Killing garden pests will also eliminate the small insects hummingbirds rely upon for protein. In addition, hummers might directly ingest pesticides sprayed onto flowers, which could sicken or kill the birds.

Labels: How to Attract..., hummingbirds, recipes

Posted by kev :: 2:14 AM ::