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re: How many hummingbirds are y'all seeing?

Posted on 4/14/23 at 8:37 am to
Posted by Meauxjeaux
102836 posts including my alters
Member since Jun 2005
45907 posts
Posted on 4/14/23 at 8:37 am to
Northshore. Had a few around last week but haven't seen them this week.

This is our first year putting out a feeder plus we have some real flowers on the patio table that look exactly like the ones they like.

I made a sugar water but all we had was organic cane sugar and it's kinda yellow, not clear. Any problem with that? Should I get regular sugar and redo it? 1 cup of sugar, 4 cups of water.
Posted by sosaysmorvant
River Parishes, LA
Member since Feb 2008
1466 posts
Posted on 4/14/23 at 8:46 am to
I have a half dozen or so between two feeders. I read somewhere to place two feeders 10-15 feet apart that way one bird doesn't "bully" and protect the one feeder. It's too hard for them to protect both, so they all end up sharing. Well, they still fight and try to hoard the feeders, but I've noticed more birds that normal using the two feeder method.
Posted by Meauxjeaux
102836 posts including my alters
Member since Jun 2005
45907 posts
Posted on 4/14/23 at 9:54 am to
OH, good idea. My parents have two of them and I've noticed they have a good bit of action.
Posted by Shanegolang
Denham Springs, La
Member since Sep 2015
4809 posts
Posted on 4/15/23 at 2:30 pm to
quote:

What's the best sugar to water ratio for best results?


• 1/4 cup refined white sugar

• 1 cup boiling water

I wait until the feeder is nearly empty then make another batch. It doesn't need to be red.
Posted by NewIberiaHaircut
Lafayette
Member since May 2013
12322 posts
Posted on 4/15/23 at 5:39 pm to
Put my feeders out this afternoon and already have visitors.
Posted by RetiredSaintsLsuFan
NW Arkansas
Member since Jun 2020
2196 posts
Posted on 4/15/23 at 7:25 pm to
I have seen hummers the last three days up here in NW Arkansas. But the temperatures will drop into the low 40's tonight, so they may head back South.
Posted by Bayou Warrior 64
Member since Feb 2021
733 posts
Posted on 4/15/23 at 8:25 pm to

Haven't seen any yet.....
Posted by Bayou
Boudin, LA
Member since Feb 2005
41627 posts
Posted on 4/15/23 at 8:51 pm to
quote:

Umm $32.54 to be exact

Posted by Bayou
Boudin, LA
Member since Feb 2005
41627 posts
Posted on 4/15/23 at 8:54 pm to
4:1 water:sugar
Use hottest tap water (enough to dissolve it) and refrigerate it
Refill as needed - never max it out
Don't use red food coloring
Posted by Ragfrey
Member since Apr 2023
6 posts
Posted on 4/17/23 at 9:38 pm to
I have three that visit frequently here in Ascension. Amazing to watch them.
Posted by Sir Drinksalot
Member since Aug 2005
16857 posts
Posted on 4/17/23 at 9:57 pm to
2 or 3 here in BR so far on my feeders.

My hummingbird houses have sat empty for two years (since I bought them) but this year a prothonotary warbler is building a nest in one and those little birds are just gorgeous. The brightest yellow.

They usually build in abandoned woodpecker nests that are super close to water but this one is right on my patio and a few acres away from the creek.

I feel very blessed to have them and so old to be so happy about it
This post was edited on 4/17/23 at 9:59 pm
Posted by RetiredSaintsLsuFan
NW Arkansas
Member since Jun 2020
2196 posts
Posted on 4/18/23 at 1:01 pm to
I have been seeing at least one hummer a day this past week until I saw two today. The fights have begun.

I planted two Goldflame Honeysuckle plants to entice more of them.
This post was edited on 4/18/23 at 1:02 pm
Posted by tigergal918
Member since Feb 2022
370 posts
Posted on 4/18/23 at 4:05 pm to
I do the 1:4 ratio as well. Fine to wait a week to change it out right now. But once it gets hot, it will sour very quickly, I probably change every other day/3rd day if they don't drain them before that. I probably have about 5-6 right now in Central.
Posted by Spankum
Miss-sippi
Member since Jan 2007
60611 posts
Posted on 4/18/23 at 7:06 pm to
quote:

prothonotary warbler is building a nest in one and those little birds are just gorgeous. The brightest yellow.


I saw one of these at my bird bath late last year. It was the prettiest bird I have ever seen in the wild.
Posted by Loup
Ferriday
Member since Apr 2019
15728 posts
Posted on 4/19/23 at 6:29 am to
quote:

I planted two Goldflame Honeysuckle plants to entice more of them.


I need to get one of these. I have a bunch of salvia that they go crazy over.
Posted by ShermanTxTiger
Broussard, La
Member since Oct 2007
11322 posts
Posted on 4/19/23 at 5:45 pm to
They dropped off big time here in Broussard. We were getting 10 an hour. Now seeing about 10 a day. I suppose they moved on.
Posted by Rabby
Member since Mar 2021
1524 posts
Posted on 4/19/23 at 10:19 pm to
quote:

organic cane sugar and it's kinda yellow


Organic sugar supposedly has impurities in it which might harm them. There was a site which experienced a large number of deaths from feed with too much iron in it. The normal answer is to use regular granulated white sugar.
Posted by Rabby
Member since Mar 2021
1524 posts
Posted on 4/19/23 at 11:03 pm to
quote:

What's the best sugar to water ratio for best results?

Many sources will chant the 4 to 1 mantra, but this was fabricated by an activist who wanted to get people involved. Sadly, this man had only preliminary science behind this assertion and a bit of incorrect math was reputedly involved. The program took on a life of its own and will not die while defying actual science and math. The truth is that 3 to 1 is closer to the concentration of most of our flower nectar when measured with a refractometer.
Science should triumph over media rumors!

Here is a quick reference:
Three to one recipe.

Here is a scientific discussion which points out why giving too much water actually might be a bigger problem than too little:
Hummingbird kidney function and sucrose.

Here is a Louisiana resident scientist (Dennis Demcheck) who (as a hobby) took the time and trouble to scientifically measure the sucrose content of many of our flowers:
Nectar of garden flowers from Louisiana Ornithological Society - see starting page 7. The short answer is that if you insist on using 4 to 1 out of fear for their kidneys, then you should plow under most of your hummingbird gardens as equally dangerous.

And this is from Dr. Van Remsen (PhD) of LSU Ornithological Department who wanted people to understand how to measure and understand sucrose content. There is actually a high sucrose content salvia named for this man:
Understanding sucrose content.

I use 3 to 1 volumetric mix of water to plain white granulated sugar. Warm water works well to dissolve the solution - shaking or stirring helps.
Boiling only helps remove some chlorine, but may concentrate other minerals of concern - especially iron. I see no other purpose in boiling. You should know that the first hummingbird tongue to hit the nectar contaminates the reservoir, so it will not be sterile for more than a couple of minutes anyway.
Never use any dye - natural nectar is clear and the health effects of some dyes are unsure. Others are known to cause problems.

quote:

How often do you change it out? Once a week?

This truly depends on how hot it is outside. Sun speeds growth of mold and also fermentation. Most people figure 3 days is okay unless it gets really hot or in direct sun and then even shorter. Watch for any cloudiness or black spots. Mold is deadly for them. I mix up a batch and keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Enjoy your birds!
Posted by Ziggy
Member since Oct 2007
22054 posts
Posted on 4/20/23 at 6:22 am to
quote:

Rabby


Thanks for the information - much appreciated!
Posted by Bayou
Boudin, LA
Member since Feb 2005
41627 posts
Posted on 4/20/23 at 7:43 am to
quote:

Fine to wait a week to change it out right now.

We have 17 h-bird feeders and fill them about 1/3 - 1/2 full each day. They are drained daily. Each morning the little guys are perched on the shepherd's hook appearing to patiently beg for the refill.
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