Comments on: Care of Hummingbirds: To Dye or Not to Dye https://ecosalon.com/care-of-hummingbirds-to-dye-or-not-to-dye/ Sun, 29 Nov 2015 15:51:01 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.25 By: Michelle https://ecosalon.com/care-of-hummingbirds-to-dye-or-not-to-dye/#comment-37202 Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:05:00 +0000 http://ecosalon.com/?p=54803#comment-37202 Attracting birds through the use of bird feeders can be a great way to get many different species of interesting and colorful birds, for one, to at least visit on occasion.

]]> By: mudnessa https://ecosalon.com/care-of-hummingbirds-to-dye-or-not-to-dye/#comment-28378 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:39:03 +0000 http://ecosalon.com/?p=54803#comment-28378 There is one male around here that is VERY territorial. I live in an apartment so I can’t provide them with feeders through out my “yard” but the higher water sugar ratio does seem to help. I usually do a bit closer to 3 to 1, I’m not too specific with it. I did actually converse with a hummingbird person years ago about the species in my area and the ratios and what not for flowers in the area and I believe that’s where I got the idea for a bit stronger ratio.

They also love a few of the flowering succulents I have and my other flowering plants. My feeder only has two feeding spots and I have seen two feeding at the same time. They are also quite small so require a lot of refills and the stupid things are actually too deep for my type of birds tongues, they can’t reach the last quarter of it. I do need to get a new one, but it’s really pretty and it’s made out of recycled glass and I don’t really like the idea of a plastic feeder sitting in the sun all day and the little guys drinking out of it.

Thanks for the reply.

]]> By: kimberly https://ecosalon.com/care-of-hummingbirds-to-dye-or-not-to-dye/#comment-28371 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:48:12 +0000 http://ecosalon.com/?p=54803#comment-28371 I have to say that I am relieved to see the clear liquid in their feeder! 🙂

As far as sugar to water ration, yes you want to keep it as close as possible to what the birds would find in nature.

]]> By: Caitlin Fitzsimmons https://ecosalon.com/care-of-hummingbirds-to-dye-or-not-to-dye/#comment-28358 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:19:45 +0000 http://ecosalon.com/?p=54803#comment-28358 @mudnessa I’m not sure I’d want to do anything to make them come by less often – I love having them visit!

Actually, I accidentally made a formula with a ratio of three to one, rather than four to one, and they seemed to love it! However, I have diluted it since realising my mistake. My online research suggests that while the hummingbirds enjoy the sugar water at higher concentrations, it might not be good for them – like kids who will gorge themselves on candy if you let them! The ratio of four to one is apparently close to what they would get from flower nectar.

Also, if I increased the ratio, I’d either be using more sugar (more expensive) or the syrup would last for longer (increasing the risk of spoilage). There’s a lot of advice online suggesting that the feeders need to be rinsed out (but not with soap) regularly.

By the way, not all the species are territorial. I’ve seen two birds feeding at once quite peacefully.

]]> By: mudnessa https://ecosalon.com/care-of-hummingbirds-to-dye-or-not-to-dye/#comment-28344 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:50:21 +0000 http://ecosalon.com/?p=54803#comment-28344 You can up the amount of sugar to water and they won’t need to come by as often. I usually make a 2 to 1 ratio. It also seems to help them be less territorial because they aren’t at the feeder as often.

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