If you have never had the pleasure of observing a fluttering hummingbird drinking nectar from a bloom or feeder on a warm, sunny day you are definitely missing one of nature's most awe inspiring treats. And simple, plastic hummingbird feeders are the ideal way to attract these small but amazing birds to your front or backyard all spring and summertime long.
Hummingbirds in reality have a long, forked tongue that's used to lick nectar as many as 13 times per second either from a blossom or a feeder and acts as a trough pulling the nectar in. Even though hummingbirds do consume a number of insects and pollen, sugary nectar consists of ninety percent of their overall diet.
Plain sugar water using four parts hot water and one part normal white sugar boiled for about two minutes are all that's required to attract groups of hummingbirds to your feeders.
Once the neighborhood hummingbirds know where your feeders are located they will return again and again. The birds can soon grow to be dependent upon the nectar you will have been providing, especially as the cooler, autumn months approach when they will need to double their size to prepare for the extended trip south for the cold months.
Make sure to keep your hummingbird feeders full and cleaned on a weekly basis, or more often if you notice a black mold begin to develop. The mold which develops in feeders with nectar is harmful to the birds and must be removed immediately.
Use some vinegar and hot water (one part white vinegar, four parts water) and a bottle brush to get into the crevices. Wash and rinse the feeders completely a number of times to completely remove all of the vinegar. If you don't have a bottle brush handy, use some dry rice or a few clean pebbles and shake the feeders intensely to mix the solution.
Never use honey or any kind of sugar substitutes in your hummingbird feeders as this promotes the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. Red food coloring, which has long been employed in feeders to attract hummingbirds and other birds, is likewise not advised. Instead, use a red feeder or hang a red ribbon or a few beads close by to attract these small avian wonders.
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