Hummingbird Feeders, Feeder Mix And General Information
Hummingbirds are very competitive and territorial. If you have a number of hummingbirds at your feeder it is best to put up more than one feeder. This will help cut down on the competition.
Hummingbird feeders come in many shapes and sizes. The brightly colored red feeders work best to attract hummingbirds.
If you find a hummingbird nest, keep away from the area so you do not scare the female and cause her to abandon her nest (Only the female cares for the young).
Keep your feeders up! Arizona is lucky enough to have hummingbirds live here year round.
Other birds may want to enjoy your hummingbird feeder. If this occurs, remove any perching areas that make the feeder accessible. Hummingbirds do not need to perch while feeding.
The best way to feed hummingbirds is to plant vegetation that attracts them. Red tubular flowers are a favorite. Not only are they beautiful but they also contain insects and the proper nutrients that hummingbirds require.
Contact your local garden center or check information booklets like “Landscaping for Wildlife” from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Xeriscape Gardens, Plants for the Desert Southwest” by AMWUA or “Arizona Highways Desert Wildflowers.”
Hummingbirds cannot survive long without heat and frequent feedings (every 10 minutes). They need immediate care.
If you have an orphaned, injured or displaced hummingbird, contact us at 623-533-2348 or Adobe Mountain at 623-582-9806 as soon as possible.
Homemade hummingbird mix is less expensive than store brands and does not contain a red dye. The red dye has not yet been tested for safety and is not nutritionally beneficial to the hummingbird.
Use only pure beat or cane sugar when feeding hummingbirds. Honey can produce a fungus that affects the birds’ tongues and contains artificial sweeteners that have no nutritional value.
Clean the feeder thoroughly each time you change the feeding solution. Use hot water and a brush that reaches into the bottle. If you use soap, be sure to rinse the bottle well to get all of the soap out.
Summer Time Feeder Care:
Feeders should be cleaned and refilled daily. Due to the Arizona sun and heat mold and fuzzes develop very quickly. This can be deadly to a hummingbird.
Winter Time Feeder Care:
Feeders should still be checked daily and should be cleaned every 3 to 5 days. Any sign of color change in the solution requires an immediate cleaning and solution change.
OUTDOOR HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER RECIPE
1 Cup Pure beat or cane Sugar
4 Cups Water
Boil mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved
Cool
Fill feeders as needed
*Extra mixture can be stored in the refrigerator.
(Discard any mixture that shows signs of discoloration)
*Do not use honey or artificial sweeteners as a substitute.