Hummingbirds are magical creatures. They appear to dance in the air, moving rapidly like little winged monkeys. Attract these miniature beauties by hanging feeders full of their favorite food. Follow these guidelines to tempt your little birds and persuade them to stay in your garden for a while.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Making Nectar
Step 1. Make a sugary solution
You will encourage them to stop in the area. High-energy food is important in spring because hummingbirds need to replenish the reserves consumed during migration.
Avoid buying enhanced hummingbird nectar. It would cost you a lot and he wouldn't like it. Hummingbirds get the nutrients they need from the nectar of flowers and the insects they eat - the sugar you give them is a kind of quick filler (like our coffee) as they are flying and feeling tired
Step 2. Then mix one part of granular white sugar and two parts of hot water
Make it melt well. Brown sugar is one of the carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are easy to digest and give hummingbirds instant energy.
Step 3. Boil the solution for a couple of minutes
This will slow down the development of bacteria. Boiling will also help you get rid of the chlorine or fluoride that may be in tap water (and which could harm them.) There is no need to boil the solution if you do little food for immediate use.
If you heat it, you will need to replace it every two days or the bacteria will develop and could harm the hummingbirds
Step 4. Do not add any dyes
Even though hummingbirds like red so much, the dye could harm them. Natural food (nectar) has no smell and is colorless so there is no need to make it different.
Step 5. Set the food aside until you use it
Keep it in the refrigerator. If you make a lot of it, you can keep it until the manger is empty. This way you will save time.
Step 6. Choose the right feeder
Red ones are best because of the highly attractive color for hummingbirds. You should hang it in a shady place if possible so that the nectar stays cool for as long as possible. Arrange it in the garden if you have one. Hang it near a window (but away from cats) so you can enjoy the show.
Some enthusiasts say you should only hang a manger near the window if you have stained glass so that hummingbirds don't bump into it, hurting themselves
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Preventing Mold and Fermentation
Step 1. Food can be bad for birds if it ferments or becomes moldy
When the nectar becomes opaque it must be replaced. Sugar yeast causes fermentation which could harm the hummingbird. A warm and sugary mix is great for the proliferation of bacteria and molds.
Step 2. Check the feeder for black mold very often
If possible, every day. Taking a look will also avoid general hummingbird problems. If you find mold, mix some bleach into the water. Immerse the feeder for an hour in the solution. Scrape away any mold residue and rinse well before refilling with food.
Step 3. Clean it thoroughly before adding food
Rinse it with warm water. Do not use soap, hummingbirds do not like the taste that would still stick.
Step 4. Change to eat regularly
Remember that the amount of food you can leave depends a lot on the temperature the feeder is exposed to.
- If it goes from 21 to 26 ° change it every 5-6 days.
- If it goes from 27 to 30 °, change it every 2-4.
- If the temperature goes above 32 ° it changes daily.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Give your Nectar an extra boost
Step 1. Decrease the amount of sugar you put in after a couple of weeks
By doing so, you will increase the activity at the manger. One part of sugar with three of water or one part of sugar and four of water will be used to dilute the mix. When it is more diluted, hummingbirds often come back.
Step 2. Decide on the strength of the food
You have to make it hard enough that you don't always have to fill the manger, but not so much that the birds won't want to return. Making an incredibly sugary food will give hummingbirds plenty of energy by allowing them to go further before eating again (that's why you'll see little of them.)
Step 3. Don't mix with less than a four part
While a high concentration is fine, if the nectar is less sugary than that, hummingbirds will spend too much energy flying back and forth than their food provides.
Step 4. Plant some flowers they like
If you've tried different mixes but still aren't getting visitors, use plants to attract them.
Here are plants loved by hummingbirds: Monarda, Phlox, Lupine, Mallow, Kniphophia, Colombina, Heuchera, Digitalis, Lobelia, Lantana, Sage, Butterfly Plant, Rose of Sharon, Bignonia and Honeysuckle
Advice
- If hummingbirds are not eating everything and the food is spoiling, fill the feeder only partially to avoid having to throw out some each time.
- Do not use honey, powdered, dark sugar or sweeteners or other types of substitutes. Chemicals are not the same and they do not meet the nutritional needs of hummingbirds. Some of these sweeteners can also make birds sick or kill.
