Hummers

[tripleblessed]

These little guys are viscous when we put out the feeders each summer.

You might find a heavier weight oil cuts down on the viscosity. Also, sometimes multiple feeders front and back and planting more flowers will tone down the level of vicious behavior.

[BruceK]

Do you make your own syrup? My wife wants to make her own (after she heard that the red dye can cause kidney damage) but doesn't know the proportions of sugar to water.

Thanks,

We've found a brand of off-the-shelf food that's colorless from Songbird Essentials in Mexico, MO. The container even states that it's 100% finely ground sucrose so the sugar recipe would probably work just as well. YMMV...

Bruce

[Bugbear]

I had the front feeder inside to be washed and refilled this morning and they were buzzing around the red stripes in a small American flag my wife has out on the porch

That's funny, reminds me of white flies and the color yellow.
As I understand it, the bees, who compete with the birds for nectar, would see red more as black, and respond to the ultraviolet markings on flowers. Apparently early on, the humming birds learn that red equals juicier flowers, or something like that.

[Chirs]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry
These little guys are viscous when we put out the feeders each summer.

You might find a heavier weight oil cuts down on the viscosity. Also, sometimes multiple feeders front and back and planting more flowers will tone down the level of vicious behavior.

[chrisupyonder]

At first I thought this thread was about...



Chris.

[Kiltboy]

My mom has a feeder and she just loves her hummingbirds. She can watch them for hours but I have never had them buzz me.

If you want them to buzz you, just wear a bright red hat. If they are hungry, they will be "in your face" looking for the nectar.

[Highlander31]

We have a couple of feeders on our back deck. We've only seen three birds so far this season.

[Woot22]

At first I thought this thread was about...



Chris.

Ha Ha so did I. Never heard of humming birds refereed to as hummers before but I agree they are pretty awesome. I put out a feeder myself when I am back home in Tennessee. Such an amazing little bird.

[Bugbear]

My mom has a feeder and she just loves her hummingbirds. She can watch them for hours but I have never had them buzz me.

Last year, I had one come up right near my face and hover for several seconds to feed on some citrus flowers. It was a very strange feeling, but my reaction was to not move. They've buzzed me a few times this year, but not that close.

[MacMillans son]

At first I thought this thread was about...



Chris.

They'd kick me off this site if I posted a photo of what I first thought!