This humming bird looks very overheated. I live in Las Vegas, NV and it has been very hot here like 115 degrees in the shade. It is just perched on the feeder, and I can walk all the way up to it. I was so close I brought a hand pump sprayer and was misting cool water on it. I am not trying to hurt it, just cool it off. I can imagine with it's high metabolism it can produce a lot of internal body heat.
Thanks for any answers I may get.....
2006-07-21 18:55:46 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Birds
It is absolutely essential that hummingbirds be fed natural sugar and not any sugar substitute because the bird's metabolism is so high. The ratio is at least 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup water. When the water sours or becomes discolored, it should be changed. Hummingbirds also eat insects and drink from flowers. Bird baths are welcomed by any bird especially in hot dry spells.
2006-07-22 07:13:10 · answer #1 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if they get over heated, I would think yes. In those feeders, I have always just put a little sugar and dissolved it in water. So it is full of water and just a little sugar. Hope the poor thing is ok. Why not trying to get a bird bath? They love it, and you would get a wider variety of birds there.
2006-07-22 02:00:53 · answer #2 · answered by cabbiegrl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they do drink water and they get moisture from insects they catch. I could very well be overheated. Sometimes you will see birds panting when it is really hot. Make sure you keep your feeder in the shade during these hot times.
2006-07-22 17:52:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always hung my hummingbird feeders in the shade, and I have seen them drink water from a sprinkler before. I live in California, though, in the San Joaquin Valley. It gets REALLY hot here. Good luck!!
2006-07-22 02:00:21 · answer #4 · answered by ditzy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they are attracted TO the "sugar". I always put out my feeder that way. Actually, just the other day when I refilled it, I added two packets of Equal to it, for even more sweet taste. It WON'T hurt them!!!
It might be over-heated. Who wouldn't be in that kind of heat? LOL But, like every other creature, they are made to "take the heat" and have built-in deterents for this and their bodies. (Like for US, we "sweat" and that's our body's way of not over-heating.)
It is very COOL that you can get THAT close! That would be awesome. I'm still trying to get a picture of one! LOL
Hey, good luck! ; )
2006-07-22 02:04:16 · answer #5 · answered by penwrite5 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋