Re: Hummingbird Feeder
I grew up feeding hummingbirds in the S.F. Bay Area and continued doing
it here in the Sierra Foothills until two years ago. It was fun. In
recent years, however, I have been increasingly aware of the hummingbird
health/nutrition problems Diane has discussed — using various bad sweet
substances and not having sterile feeders, etc. These issues, combined
with my observations that feeders seemed to increase aggressive behavior
(fighting), has led me to stop feeding hummingbirds in feeders and to
plant more hummingbird-friendly plants. As much as a feeder can help
these exquisite birds with their substantial caloric needs and provide a
fun, convenient, way of observing hummingbirds, I've concluded that
people who have hummingbird feeders are like park visitors who feed
bears or chipmunks. It's an artificial act of nature orchestrated for
human benefit, more than animal benefit. The longterm consequences of
feeding wild animals can be distressing, but we generally don't know
about these consequences. Since we can't easily keep track of individual
magratory animals, ignorance is bliss...
So, since this is a Medit-Plant discussion group, I'd like to encourage
listers to gradually abandon their feeders and grow hummingbird-friendly
plants. You probably are doing the latter already. I think Diane hinted
that feeders are problematic, but I strongly feel we need to be more
responsible about our "care" of wild birds. With lots of mint family
plants and native plants in my garden, I have just as many hummingbirds
as when the feeder was hanging nearby. With many more places to poke
their tiny tongues, there seems to be more cooperation and patience and
less fighting. (Hummingbird fighting can be quite vicious.) There's less
sticky mess on my window and deck and fewer insect problems. I don't
have to worry about bacterial issues or weening them off in the early
winter (so they fly to warmer climes). And, maybe most importantly, I'm
observing the birds in their habitat and noticing all kinds of behaviors
not seen at the feeder, like hummingbirds chasing bees away from flowers
and standoffs with praying mantises, etc.
Why don't we discuss our favorite "hummingbird magnet" plants instead of
sugar recipes? Just trying to be environmentally responsible...
Paul Harrar
Nevada City, California
Sunset Zone 7
2,700 ft.
Diane wrote:
> Karen,
>
> NOTHING but boiled white granulated sugar and water should
> be provided in feeders. The Koolaid contains food colouring
> (at the least) and the chemicals that constitute the
> artificial flavouring. In such a tiny creature, one can
> only marvel that they can fly away after consuming it.
> White sugar in a 20-25% solution most nearly duplicates the
> nectar of flowers. Flower nectar is colourless and does not
> contain chemicals or other sugars besides glucose although
> it may contain proteins from insects and pollen.
>
> There is a farm near here that uses blueberry pancake syprup
> in their feeders - "the birds love it" they say. I think
> blueberry pancake syrup is probably entirely artificial - if
> it contains blueberries, the sugar would be fructose, not
> the glucose these birds require. When you realize that
> hummingbirds can only sustain their high-energy output for a
> maximum of 12-15 minutes without feeding, the feeders draw
> them like moths to a flame. They eat other things as well
> like small flying insects and tree sap.
>
> Banding of birds here after their journey from Central
> America to Vancouver Island and as far north as Alaska, and
> again being caught and studied after their return south, is
> showing some detrimental effects from what human beings put
> in all those feeders along the way. Granted, the feeders do
> increase the survival rate of these little birds but studies
> are showing infertility and hardening of the liver.
>
> Please tell everyone you can that ONLY white granulated
> sugar and water (boiled) in scrupulously clean feeders is
> the only acceptable substitute for flower nectar and the
> well-being of these birds.
>
> Diane Pertson
>
> Subject: Re: Hummingbird Feeder
>
> > My uncle has lived in the Adirondack National Park forest
> preserve in upstate
> > New York since the 60's and has always provided a Koolaid
> (Hawaian Punch flavor)
> > stand for his hummingbirds. I suppose it resembles a
> hamster water tube. The
> > birds flit in and out in seconds to drink the "dew.' Do
> you have some
> > information as to why this shouldn't be done? Is the
> sugar harmful? The
> > hummingbirds seem to love it.
> > Karen Vavourakis
> >
