Thanks Onewish!
In a typical year we hang out 15 - 20 feeders and also have several hummingbird gardens.
Usually there are well over 100 birds swarming around. That translates to 20 -25 # of sugar/week. But if you love these little critters, you do what you have to do to keep 'em happy. I am passionate about hummingbird photography and just completed a book about hummingbirds and flowers. The two subjects keep me busy.
Wow! You really have the hummers in your yarden! What is your secret to attracting them (besides all the feeders)?
Did you ever find that bush you were looking for last year I wonder?
Wow HB, I am thrilled to see two in my yard, but then there maybe more but here they are anti-social and chase each other away. Great job.
Great Photo! I do not have alot of hummers this year.
Glad to see they all went to your house.
Hi, I love the picture you have up! I love those wee ones too. So far with one feeder up this year, I have two hummers hanging around. I can sit on my deck and they fly around me and then go for the food. Do yours tweet? Mine do, and I was shocked when I first heard them.
I live in Pennsylvania, near Gettysburg. Last year was the first year I put food out for them. I was going out and one flew right up to me and looked at me for about 15 seconds and flew off.
Is your book going to be published?
Selma
Wow folks !
I apologize for not having gotten back with you all before. My son visited from Texas and I've been busy showing my wildcat grand-kids the hummers. I tried to demonstrate how to get a live bird land on my hand. Every time a hummer would come in they would squeal and jump up & down. Then Paw-paw got into big trouble when he told them that they would just have to go inside and watch through the window. The youngest grand-daughter cried. Tried to take a shot for them. Will try to share with you. Book is out SelmaK.
HBJoe,
May I ask you a question regarding your feeders. I live where it is very hot and humid for most of the summer. The feeders need changing every other day, at least. I've been getting by with various models but they are time consuming to clean as most have the narrow necks. I bought one that is llike the one you display in your first post, that is like a pancake and can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher. Combined with a sanitary rinse, it is the best and easist way for this old woman to clean them. I do rinse them well afterwards, to be certain there is no soap residue left on them before I fill them.
Do you feel the pancake feeders allow them to get to the solution easily? It looks like a long way to the bottom of this container, once the level begins to drop.
I'd like to purchase more of this style of feeder but not certain it is the best design. Since you put so many out, I feel you've probably had experience with most feeder designs.
My thanks for your time and advice.
Mary
Hi Mary !
Bless your heart, you are right! Cleaning any feeder can be a pain. Around our house you will see many types of feeders, but I absolutely love the "pancake" design. They come in several sizes and hummers like them. Several companies produce them. The one in the photo is made by ASPECTS. ( I don't work for any feeder company. I am a retired chemist. My undergraduate training included avian biology, plus I enjoyed a few years of teaching experience. Now, 7 wildcat grand-kids know me as Paw-Paw and a published author). This particular design is made of a tough material called polycarbonate. It will last a long time. When it needs to be cleaned, all you do is pop the lid off and then you have access to the interior. The dark, nasty mess that forms on the inside surfaces of any feeder is caused by a fungus carried on the bills of hummingbirds. Hummingbirds instinctively abandon a nasty feeder and will move on to another food source. The best way to clean up the fungal residue is to mix up a 10 - 15% solution of bleach. Fill the feeder and set aside until the dark material clears up. Pour the used bleach solution outside on the gravel or dirt, not down your sink. Caution: bleach mixed with household ammonia can cause release of toxic chlorine gas. Be sure to rinse out the feeder thoroughly until you cannot detect any odor of chemical (Bleach residue can also kill hummingbirds). The feeder will now be sparkling clean. We all love our hummers. That is why we are willing to do the work.
Mary, one more thought on those 'flying saucer' type feeders: if you purchase a new one, try to find the kind that has a little 'well' in the center around the metal hanger. That 'well' can be filled with water and serve as a 'moat' to trap ants.
Here's a picture of a saucer type feeder with a 'well' although there are less expensive versions available at Lowes & Home Depot, etc.
http://www.hummingbird-oriole-feeders.com/hummzinger-fancy-hummingbird-feeder.aspx
Mary,
Ms Tabasco is absolutely correct about the need for an ant moat as part of the feeder. Overall, I am very pleased with my "saucer shaped feeders." Another reason that I like Aspect feeder is that the company includes a "lifetime warranty" on the product. I'm not exactly sure how to interpret that, but my three Aspects have lasted for several years of hard use without any problems. Some of the discount stores do carry a similar design. If you hold them in your hands you can tell the difference in quality. Droll Yankees and Perky-Pet are also popular. I bet you can have some fun doing an internet search on this type of feeder and learn quite a bit. You might even find a more competitive price. Oh what we are willing to do for our hummingbirds.
I thank you all for your helpful advice. The one saucer shaped feeder I have does have the ant moat and I agree, they're very helpful.
I was just worried the little hummers couldn't reach all the way to the bottom of the saucer dish feeder when the nectar level became low. My other feeders are the gravity type, where there is always nectar near the feeding opening.
Mary
Hummingbirds have a unique tongue that can be extended to allow for more than adequate reach for those last few drops in the bottom of the feeder. Another advantage: gravity feeders are more prone to leak on hot days as the air inside expands. Saucer shaped feeders hold the fluid. Don't fill the feeder with more than your little friends consume during a day. If you have more birds, either fill more frequently, get a larger feeder or get more feeders. Now go enjoy and don't worry.
