I have a few himmingbirds around and they don't care for the nectar I buy at Petsmart..its already mixed..I can't find the one I used that was in powder form...they did like that...I hope they are getting something other than nectar from the flowers...there isn't too much around .... I also need to find something to clean the seed bird feeders...somewhere I heard that vinegar is good..but don't know the proportions of the mixture..I hope someone can help me
2007-09-13 15:10:53 · 9 answers · asked by dakotadu10 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
First you can make your own nectar.
I heat 2 cups of water in the microwave for 2 minutes on high (it doesn't boil). I then add 1/2 cup of regular white sugar and stir it into the hot water until it is dissolved. Now let it sit and cool to room temperature. I store it in a closed container in my frig. until my feeder needs a refill. Don't add any color as some food coloring can harm the birds.
The birds love it, I've had up to 7 birds all buzzing around the feeder at once, chasing each other away more than actually eating.
I've read that humming birds also eat very small insects that they find in flowers. I'd ask the birds if this is true but they never stop to talk... grin.
I clean my bird feeders by disassembling them, giving them a good wash with the hose and then sticking them in my dishwasher.
2007-09-13 15:26:16 · answer #1 · answered by scott h 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Besides flower nectar, hummingbirds will eat a mixture of sugar and water at 1:4. However, it's important to keep the feeder very clean by washing it regularly in hot water, and replace the sugar water with fresh if it has been sitting for more than two days.
2007-09-13 15:19:48 · answer #2 · answered by Blue Jean 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
What do hummingbirds eat besides nectar?
I have a few himmingbirds around and they don't care for the nectar I buy at Petsmart..its already mixed..I can't find the one I used that was in powder form...they did like that...I hope they are getting something other than nectar from the flowers...there isn't too much around .... I...
2015-08-13 08:33:19 · answer #3 · answered by Marnia 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make your own hummingbird food..1 part sugar to 4 parts water. The mixture you buy at the stores may have harmful dyes in them that are not good for the birds. No need to add coloring to the sugar mix, the red color on the feeder is enough to attract them. To clean your seed feeders, you should use a diluted bleach and rinse well. Hummingbirds also eats bugs..but they can get those from nature just fine.
2007-09-13 15:22:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
What Do Hummingbirds Eat
2016-10-05 04:28:44 · answer #5 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make your own nectar.Boil one part sugar to 4 parts water,cool,and fill CLEAN feeders ( you need to clean then at least once a week,and refill them with clean nectar,I clean mine with vinegar and a bottle brush,and rinse very well) They eat flower nectar,small insects and spiders.They really don't need our feeders,but it's nice to watch them!
2007-09-13 19:07:08 · answer #6 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine dine on mosquitos every evening, it is great fun to watch! They also seem to love daddy long leg spiders. They obviously eat other flying bugs. They get all excited when my 5 year old is in her flower garden. She thinks they are following her around and watching her, but they are actually watching for the little bugs she stirs up as she picks flowers.
I make my own nectar, as above, and use no chemicals in my gardens.
2007-09-14 03:24:45 · answer #7 · answered by Landlord 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What Do Humming Birds Eat
2016-12-11 18:50:58 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hummingbirds eat nectar: https://tinyurl.im/e/what-do-hummingbirds-eat-besides-nectar
2015-05-14 16:59:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do humming birds eat ants??? Occasionally, I have problems with ants going up the poles and getting into their sugar water food.
2014-09-14 09:44:52 · answer #10 · answered by kurtzie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋