Here’s a really nice video of hummingbirds sipping nectar from hummingbird feeders in a Houston, Texas, USA backyard.

September 2007 Hummingbirds Houston TX

Thanks to guns4toys for posting this video on YouTube.

This is how guns4toys described it: Watch the Ruby-throated hummingbirds at my backyard hummingbird feeders.

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A well-designed hummingbird feeder

This is a really informative article about how and what to feed hummingbirds.  Allan’s even included his hummingbird nectar recipe.

And… I’m sure we all agree that our little feather fluffs are, indeed, beautiful!

The Beautiful Hummingbirds

By: Allan

The hummingbird’s diet requires nectar as a source of energy, and for their protein source small insects. Hummingbirds love artificial nectar from man-made humming bird feeders. Such feeders provide the hummingbirds with a good supply of nectar, and at the same time allow people to observe and enjoy hummingbirds up-close. Homemade nectar can be made from 1 part white, granulated table sugar to 4 parts water – boiled to make it easier to dissolve the sugar and to purify the solution so that it will stay fresh longer. The cooled nectar is then carefully placed into the hummingbird feeder. You should avoid using diet sweeteners because, though the hummingbirds will drink it, they will not get the calories they need to sustain their metabolism.

While it is true that bright colors attract hummingbirds, it is better to use a feeder that has some red on it, rather than coloring the water. It is possible that red dye is harmful to hummingbirds. Some commercial humming bird nectars contain a red dye that’s not needed. Hummingbirds get all the nutrients they need from the insects they eat, not from nectar, so adding nutrients to the nectar is not necessary. Just plain sugar and water is all that is needed. http://www.a1birdfeeders.com/Humming-Bird-Feeders.htm

Prepared nectar can be placed into a refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks before being used, but once placed outdoors it will only remain fresh for 2-4 days in hot weather before becoming cloudy or developing mold. Rinse the feeder thorouhly with warm water when changing the nectar to remove any contamination or build-up of sugar. If dish soap is used, it needs extra rinsing so that no residue is left behind.

Other animals are also attracted to humming bird feeders. It is best to get a feeder that has very narrow ports, or ports with a mesh, to prevent wasps and bees from getting inside where they get trapped. Woodpeckers, banaquits, and other animals are known to drink from hummingbird feeders, sometimes tipping them and draining the liquid. If this becomes a problem, it is possible to buy feeders which are designed to support their extra weight and which hummingbirds will also be able to use too. If ants find your hummingbird feeder, one solution is to install an “ant moat”, which is available at specialty garden stores and online.

The Ant Moat is a small plastic cup that fits between the hummingbird feeder and your hanger. By filling it with water or petroleum jelly, ants can’t get to the feeder! 

About the Author

More information on humming bird feeders can be found at our website by clicking here

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Hummingbird feeder with hungry hummer

Here’s a great hummingbird nectar recipe that I figured you’d like to have…

HUMMINGBIRD NECTAR RECIPE

We love hummingbirds and love to watch them throughout the day, especially after a long day, relaxing in our backyard nature retreat.

We have 4 feeders that are strategically located throughout our gardens. The red, hummingbird nectar feeders ( red attracts hummingbirds) are placed in areas that are naturally defined “territories” ( as you know, hummingbirds are very territorial) which helps cut down on the fighting.

Our recipe is derived from the old standard recipe, but please be aware that a lot of research has gone into making sure that we are providing the most beneficial source of hummingbird food replacement.

Our recipe starts with cane sugar. As you know, there are two sources of sugar: cane sugar and beet sugar, of which 70% of the world’s supply comes from cane sugar. Both are chemically “sucrose” and fall into the carbohydrate family. Carbohydrates are easily digested and provide the immediate “energy boost” that hummingbirds need to sustain their incredibly high metabolism. (Comment: I guess if we humans had that kind of metabolism we wouldn’t be facing our obesity crisis! Wow…what a concept …more exercise …increased metabolic rate …burn more calories …less fat).

Sorry! Back to the topic…the second constituent our hummingbird food recipe is water. Ever thought about the type of water you use for your hummingbird food? We have. The hummingbird’s source water comes from the naturally occurring water sources available: dew, rain water and deposits of rain water, people provided (bird baths), and finally that provided in the hummingbird’s diet.

We use our tap water which is supplied from our well. The water’s chemical composition is generally hard ( contains calcium and magnesium) but has a TDS ( Total Dissolved Solids) of 275 ppm with no measurable concentrations of lead or arsenic. Its safe for us to drink, and the hummers get the benefits of some added minerals. We feel its better than using distilled or purified water in our hummingbird recipe.

Now, if you’re a city dweller, you may have chlorine or flouride added to your water. I’d recommend boiling that water to flash off the chlorine or flouride, 5 minutes of boiling should be sufficient.

Next ingredient ….RED COLORING….No way!

Lets look at it from a hummingbird’s perspective. They like red and are attracted to the color due to genetics and environmental stimuli … flowers. If your hummingbird feeder is red… why do you need more?

Naturally occurring nectar is clear and odorless ( Hummingbirds are not attracted by scent). So why buy these colored or scented mixes?

The red coloring (Red #40) has been banned in countries due to its mutagenic properties ( can cause cancer). Why would you want to introduce chemicals into the hummingbird’s diet that are foreign to their digestive system?

Several experienced, licensed wildlife rehabilitators have reported seeing disturbing damage in hummers that were known to use dyed syrup, including tumors of the bill and liver.

Here is our researched hummingbird food recipe:

1 part cane sugar/ 4 parts water ( no chlorine or fluoride)
Measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until
ready to use.

Fill one-third of the container and be sure to change the mixture twice a week. You will need to clean your feeder every few days, with hot water and a mild (10%) bleach solution to inhibit bacteria/mold. Rinse thoroughly before refilling with water syrup.

Hope you enjoyed the article!

George Steiner

www.hum-ming-bird.com

George and wife Judy are empty nesters (ah ha no wonder the affinity for birds!)who enjoy the outdoors, stained glass and eagerly awaiting for the truckloads of laundry that their two college daughters bring home. Of recent, the internet has played an integral part in George’s lengthening “To Do” list and Judy’s search for a internet rehabilitation center.

Article Source:  http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=George_Steiner