Ok, sorry to disappoint, but this is not a post about something naughty or over-sized, ego-boosting SUV's. It's about our fast little friends: Hummingbirds!
I was talking to a neighbor and was sorry to hear her attitude toward making life pleasant for these special birds. A little extra attention was not worth saving a few hummingbird lives, soooooo...... I wanted to post some tidbits of advice about feeding these guys to try to clear away the misconceptions.
1. You do not have to use "hummingbird nectar" or any of the pre-packaged mixes or juices. In fact you SHOULD not use them.
2. You can make your nectar with one part sugar to four parts boiling water that has cooled and can stay in the fridge up to two weeks.
3. Red food coloring is not necessary or recommended. It can harm these little guys. As long as your feeder is red, they'll see it!
4. You should change the nectar every three to four days depending on how hot it is. Try to keep your feeder out of the sun. bestnest.com sells canopies and umbrellas for feeders to protect them from weather.
5. And last, it is okay to keep your feeders up into the fall. This availability of food will NOT keep them from migrating! It provides necessary and vital fuel for their long flights!!!
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