Who feeds Hummingbirds?

[Whispering Winds]

I have four feeders out this year, and usually only have two. I read where you might have a bully and need to have more than one, so the others not so bold will have a chance too. I think I have more this year than before, which is not alot, someone around me must have a really good set up, because 3 is the most i have, but this year I think I have a bunch more,

because the feeders are emptying out a lot. My husband sets on our front porch quite abit and he just loves to watch them. I noticed that one of the feeders had nectar in it, but they would fly up and then fly right away . . . it sets in a wooden "house" like set up, and when I checked it yesterday there was a red wasp nest being started in it,

and I flushed out the bottom and I swear there was at least 25-30 little yellow jackets and other small bees that had gotten down in there and drowned. No wonder they didn't want to drink out of it. I love the different kind of feeders, the glass one especially are so gorgeous!!! I make my own nectar, 6 cups water and about 3-4 cups of sugar now that i have them coming to feed. I boil it for a little bit, read where that will help preserve it, but wondered if anyone else had luck with it not turning bad?

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

I make my own too. Never had it go bad in KY, the birds ate it quickly. Here in Montana, I do not have as many and I normally change it every week. I don't boil mine, just add water and sugsr and stir til dissolved, works very well!

 

[Whispering Winds]

I have the little Ruby Throats, would just croak if another breed came through. . .they are the sweetest things.

 

[chuckzoo]

My recipe say 1/4 cup sugar to each cup water. If you make up a lot at one time keep it refrigerated. The nectar needs to be changed every few days especially if it is in the sun. If is goes off the birds can get sick.

 

[Rootball]

The Rufus males tend to be the bullies where I live(orange ones) but yeah they're fun to watch.

 

[NGT ANGL]

I have two feeders that I can't keep filled as we have so many hummers so preservation isn't a problem plus I think I read somewhere where you aren't supposed to boil the water (?) I too make my own nectar at the 3-1 ratio - 3 cups water to 1 cup sugar but never add the food color as that is not supposed to be good for them. The ones that come to my feeders don't seem to like the bees either and will do "fly-bys" to shoo the bees away. Tell your husband that if he is patient and stands by the feeder really still with his finger up close to it, they should get used to him and land on his finger to eat! Our hummers also like to "play" in the mist from the hose when I water the flowers!

 

[Eggs4Sale]

After a decade of feeding hummingbirds, I've abandoned the fancy feeders. They were impossible to clean thoroughly, or they leaked. The suction cup ones are worthless. I use the super plain one I bought at Fry's (Kroger's elsewhere?) for about $6.

I keep two up right now. They are positioned so the hummers at one can't see the hummers at the other, otherwise one hummer spends the whole day chasing everyone away.

We have primarily Anna's, but we've had a Rufous (sounded like a flying vacuum cleaner!) and a male Costa's.

This is funny that you post this today because I just commented about hummingbirds in the 'morbid craig's list' post!

I put 4 cups of water in the microwave 3 mins., stir in 1 cup sugar, stir, cool. Enjoy, hummers!

The big yellow ants like it too.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I get lots of hummingbirds too. Last year we went thru 75 lbs of sugar just for the hummingbird feed alone. Seems like every year we get more. I do enjoy watching them though!

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I make my own as well. We have bizillions of hummingbirds here. I love finding old nests and using them in decor in my house. They make cozy tiny little nests.

I also plant tons and tons of flowers that hummingbirds love.

 

[cthrash1]

Quote:
Yeah those birds are little piggys here in KY