My grandma, who really knew a ton about birds, used to tell me when I was growing up that hummingbird feeders needed to be put out around Mother's Day. It's a good general rule to follow...if you live in Northern Indiana. In Southern Indiana I can have my feeders out longer! If the spring weather breaks by mid-April I can put out my feeders by the last week in April. By Halloween I can take my feeders down for the season.
I love the hum these little birds make as they buzz up to my feeders. In the past several years I have become more aware of the behaviors of hummers. The male, when courting a female, will make fly in arcs, like the smiles of a smiley face. Each arc getting bigger and bigger.
I love the hum these little birds make as they buzz up to my feeders. In the past several years I have become more aware of the behaviors of hummers. The male, when courting a female, will make fly in arcs, like the smiles of a smiley face. Each arc getting bigger and bigger. I have not found any hummingbird nests at my house, yet. But I have seen excellent sites on the web from others. Our local newspaper had a wonderful link last week: Hummingbird Nest, where one can see, in great detail, a nest and babies from these tiny fliers.
Once a week I take down my feeders, clean them in bleach water and refill them with my homemade syrup.
Hummingbird Syrup Recipe - 4 parts water to 1 part sugar.
Hummingbird Syrup Recipe - 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Stir to mix and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, then allow to cool.
Fill clean feeders and store extra syrup in the refrigerator. Change syrup in feeders once a week or as soon as feeder becomes cloudy.
2 comments:
thanks for the link hootie! nice pictures and what a cool description of the mating flight of the males like a smiley face!:) want to add that peeps shouldn't use those colored premade syrups. the red dye is not good for hummers, i think what i read is it makes their egg shells too thin. i love these little jewels also and feel so wonderful just watching them! thanks for sharing hugs :)
CC- You are right! I meant to add that too about NOT using the pre-mades and red dye! That's a huge reason why I make my syrup instead of buying it! Inexpensive cost and better for the birds! :)
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