Valkyrie wrote:
"Valkyrie" wrote in message
news:1128614627.712118@yasure...

"cardarch" wrote in message
oups.com...
Please show us pictures? What are Anna's?


The Anna hummingbird.
http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailsha...63/t_=34370982


well, that didn't work (

Try this http://www.birdinfo.com/AnnasHummingbird.html.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5

"Anonny Moose" wrote in message
...

"Snooze" wrote in message
I think the point of boiling it is to sterilize the syrup and retard
spoilage. Sugar water, is a an all-you-can-eat buffet for all kinds of
microorganisms.

-S

Boiling the water just helps dissolve the sugar. I think mold is the major
concern and even boiling it you'll get mold growth if you leave it out long
enough. The feeder needs to be cleaned often.


boiling the water dissolves the sugar, but boiling the water dissipates the
chlorine and florides (if there is florides added to the water) which aren't
bad but not necessarily good for the birds either..........(hell in the wild
they face DDT's and pesticides........)
and yes, Travis, 4-1 ratio, but honestly, it doesn't hurt them to make it a
bit richer for their flight to their winter homes. g
madgardener

"Travis" wrote in message
news:Iaf1f.1457$dl.1259@trnddc08...
Valkyrie wrote:
"Valkyrie" wrote in message
news:1128614627.712118@yasure...

"cardarch" wrote in message
oups.com...
Please show us pictures? What are Anna's?


The Anna hummingbird.
http://www.snapfish.com/thumbnailsha...63/t_=34370982


well, that didn't work (

Try this http://www.birdinfo.com/AnnasHummingbird.html.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5

I was trying to get the pictures I had of my annas feeding in the dark and
off snow covered feeders, can't seem to get the album link to work properly


Val

"madgardener" wrote in message
...
and yes, Travis, 4-1 ratio, but honestly, it doesn't hurt them to make it
a bit richer for their flight to their winter homes. g
madgardener


In the summer I use the 4 to 1 ratio, when the fall/winter temps start to
dip into the 30s I switch to 3 to 1. We have annas here year around.

Val

Valkyrie wrote:
"madgardener" wrote in message
...
and yes, Travis, 4-1 ratio, but honestly, it doesn't hurt
them to
make it a bit richer for their flight to their winter homes.
g
madgardener


In the summer I use the 4 to 1 ratio, when the fall/winter
temps
start to dip into the 30s I switch to 3 to 1. We have annas
here
year around.
Val

They are here year round also and I always use 4 to 1. They also
eat bugs for protein and fat etc.

--

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5

In article , "madgardener" wrote:

"Anonny Moose" wrote in message
...

"Snooze" wrote in message
I think the point of boiling it is to sterilize the syrup and retard
spoilage. Sugar water, is a an all-you-can-eat buffet for all kinds of
microorganisms.

-S

Boiling the water just helps dissolve the sugar. I think mold is the major
concern and even boiling it you'll get mold growth if you leave it out long
enough. The feeder needs to be cleaned often.


boiling the water dissolves the sugar, but boiling the water dissipates the
chlorine and florides (if there is florides added to the water) which aren't
bad but not necessarily good for the birds either..........(hell in the wild
they face DDT's and pesticides........)
and yes, Travis, 4-1 ratio, but honestly, it doesn't hurt them to make it a
bit richer for their flight to their winter homes. g
madgardener

Cyberforest.net's hummingbird page notes: "Don't make the mix any stronger
[than 4:1]. Too much sugar is bad for the hummingbirds."

I doubt you're doing great harm since late-season hummers will be
transient visitors & won't eat often of the unhealthy concentrate. You'd
hurt them more giving them too concentrate a nectar when they are nesting,
as they'd be using nearby feeders too regularly during that time. But
overly sugared nectars can be harmful at any time if too often
encountered, & in no case does increasing the ratio strengthen them for
their winter journey. Here's an overview of why it's bad for their health:

Sugar water may supplement hummingbird diet but if they are so fond of
sugar water that they neglect their NATURAL diet, they will become
deficient in scores of minute but essential nutrients. Too much sugar
might actually hamper their search for the more appropriate natural
nectars. Ideally sugar-water feeders are not the only things the hummers
find in a garden which will be full of trumpet-shaped spring & summer
flowers, or for summer & autumn sage-blossoms, especially in reds, either
planted in the garden or set about in pots. Providing potted plants in
autumn bloom would be much more an energy-boost than more concentrated
sugarwater for their autumn/winter journey.

Some hummers actually reject over-sugared artificial nectars, & good thing
they do since it is unhealthy for them. As the Suite101 hummingbird page
says, "Do not alter the proportions, as hummers will turn away nectar that
has too much sugar."

But other hummers will favor feeders with the most sugar in the water &
they will come from greater distances from their nests to feed,
overlooking more healthful flower-sources along the way, knowing where
they can get the bigger but mineral-deficient sugar load. These hummers
become sickly & neglect their nests are are away from their nests too long
at a stretch.

Those hummingbirds fed too much sugar can develop calcium deficiencies,
muscular weakness, & bone malformations similar to rickets. Their eggs are
apt to be soft-shelled & will not hatch.

Some hummingbirds appear to show signs of illness resembling drunkenness
when feeders contain too much sugar.

Over sugaring their nectar also encourages rapid bacterial growth in the
feeders & can also attract bees, wasps, & bee-flies.

Too much water is less harmful than too much sugar, though both can be
harmful, as too little sugar could cause some hummers to not get their
daily caloric requirement.

Some hummer fans claim their higher concentrates "fatten" the birds for
their winter trip. I doubt that. But it certainly would not help them get
to their winter homes if it were true they were getting fat!

I have planted for hummingbirds & I do not supplement their diet
artificially. I have blooms for them persistently from spring through
most of autumn, & in our zone the hummers are usually gone before the
autumn-flowering sages & asters & Hibiscus moscheutos are done, so there's
never a time when they cannot find something that is a favorite. It might
be possible to make the hummers linger a bit longer if I were to hang the
garden with feeders too, but I seem to have plenty of visits from the
little things just by planting the flowers they like best, assuring them
the very finest/ideal/natural nectars with all the required nutrients.

-paggers
--
Get your Paghat the Ratgirl T-Shirt he
http://www.paghat.com/giftshop.html
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to
liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot." -Thomas Jefferson

thanks Paggers! I am always willing to learn and admit when I'm not right.
I appreciate you clearing these facts up. (REALL!Y!! )
maddie
"paghat" wrote in message
news
In article , "madgardener"
wrote:

"Anonny Moose" wrote in message
...

"Snooze" wrote in message
I think the point of boiling it is to sterilize the syrup and retard
spoilage. Sugar water, is a an all-you-can-eat buffet for all kinds of
microorganisms.

-S

Boiling the water just helps dissolve the sugar. I think mold is the
major
concern and even boiling it you'll get mold growth if you leave it out
long
enough. The feeder needs to be cleaned often.


boiling the water dissolves the sugar, but boiling the water dissipates
the
chlorine and florides (if there is florides added to the water) which
aren't
bad but not necessarily good for the birds either..........(hell in the
wild
they face DDT's and pesticides........)
and yes, Travis, 4-1 ratio, but honestly, it doesn't hurt them to make it
a
bit richer for their flight to their winter homes. g
madgardener

Cyberforest.net's hummingbird page notes: "Don't make the mix any stronger
[than 4:1]. Too much sugar is bad for the hummingbirds."

I doubt you're doing great harm since late-season hummers will be
transient visitors & won't eat often of the unhealthy concentrate. You'd
hurt them more giving them too concentrate a nectar when they are nesting,
as they'd be using nearby feeders too regularly during that time. But
overly sugared nectars can be harmful at any time if too often
encountered, & in no case does increasing the ratio strengthen them for
their winter journey. Here's an overview of why it's bad for their health:

Sugar water may supplement hummingbird diet but if they are so fond of
sugar water that they neglect their NATURAL diet, they will become
deficient in scores of minute but essential nutrients. Too much sugar
might actually hamper their search for the more appropriate natural
nectars. Ideally sugar-water feeders are not the only things the hummers
find in a garden which will be full of trumpet-shaped spring & summer
flowers, or for summer & autumn sage-blossoms, especially in reds, either
planted in the garden or set about in pots. Providing potted plants in
autumn bloom would be much more an energy-boost than more concentrated
sugarwater for their autumn/winter journey.

Some hummers actually reject over-sugared artificial nectars, & good thing
they do since it is unhealthy for them. As the Suite101 hummingbird page
says, "Do not alter the proportions, as hummers will turn away nectar that
has too much sugar."

But other hummers will favor feeders with the most sugar in the water &
they will come from greater distances from their nests to feed,
overlooking more healthful flower-sources along the way, knowing where
they can get the bigger but mineral-deficient sugar load. These hummers
become sickly & neglect their nests are are away from their nests too long
at a stretch.

Those hummingbirds fed too much sugar can develop calcium deficiencies,
muscular weakness, & bone malformations similar to rickets. Their eggs are
apt to be soft-shelled & will not hatch.

Some hummingbirds appear to show signs of illness resembling drunkenness
when feeders contain too much sugar.

Over sugaring their nectar also encourages rapid bacterial growth in the
feeders & can also attract bees, wasps, & bee-flies.

Too much water is less harmful than too much sugar, though both can be
harmful, as too little sugar could cause some hummers to not get their
daily caloric requirement.

Some hummer fans claim their higher concentrates "fatten" the birds for
their winter trip. I doubt that. But it certainly would not help them get
to their winter homes if it were true they were getting fat!

I have planted for hummingbirds & I do not supplement their diet
artificially. I have blooms for them persistently from spring through
most of autumn, & in our zone the hummers are usually gone before the
autumn-flowering sages & asters & Hibiscus moscheutos are done, so there's
never a time when they cannot find something that is a favorite. It might
be possible to make the hummers linger a bit longer if I were to hang the
garden with feeders too, but I seem to have plenty of visits from the
little things just by planting the flowers they like best, assuring them
the very finest/ideal/natural nectars with all the required nutrients.

-paggers
--
Get your Paghat the Ratgirl T-Shirt he
http://www.paghat.com/giftshop.html
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to
liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot." -Thomas Jefferson

I get hummers in my garden without setting out feeders as well ,besides the
flowers they like they love eating the little bugs that get caught into the
spiderwebs on my big window.

Lynn


"paghat" wrote in message
news
Sugar water may supplement hummingbird diet but if they are so fond of
sugar water that they neglect their NATURAL diet, they will become
deficient in scores of minute but essential nutrients. Too much sugar
might actually hamper their search for the more appropriate natural
nectars. Ideally sugar-water feeders are not the only things the hummers
find in a garden which will be full of trumpet-shaped spring & summer
flowers, or for summer & autumn sage-blossoms, especially in reds, either
planted in the garden or set about in pots. Providing potted plants in
autumn bloom would be much more an energy-boost than more concentrated
sugarwater for their autumn/winter journey.

Some hummers actually reject over-sugared artificial nectars, & good thing
they do since it is unhealthy for them. As the Suite101 hummingbird page
says, "Do not alter the proportions, as hummers will turn away nectar that
has too much sugar."

But other hummers will favor feeders with the most sugar in the water &
they will come from greater distances from their nests to feed,
overlooking more healthful flower-sources along the way, knowing where
they can get the bigger but mineral-deficient sugar load. These hummers
become sickly & neglect their nests are are away from their nests too long
at a stretch.

Those hummingbirds fed too much sugar can develop calcium deficiencies,
muscular weakness, & bone malformations similar to rickets. Their eggs are
apt to be soft-shelled & will not hatch.

Some hummingbirds appear to show signs of illness resembling drunkenness
when feeders contain too much sugar.

Over sugaring their nectar also encourages rapid bacterial growth in the
feeders & can also attract bees, wasps, & bee-flies.

Too much water is less harmful than too much sugar, though both can be
harmful, as too little sugar could cause some hummers to not get their
daily caloric requirement.

Some hummer fans claim their higher concentrates "fatten" the birds for
their winter trip. I doubt that. But it certainly would not help them get
to their winter homes if it were true they were getting fat!

I have planted for hummingbirds & I do not supplement their diet
artificially. I have blooms for them persistently from spring through
most of autumn, & in our zone the hummers are usually gone before the
autumn-flowering sages & asters & Hibiscus moscheutos are done, so there's
never a time when they cannot find something that is a favorite. It might
be possible to make the hummers linger a bit longer if I were to hang the
garden with feeders too, but I seem to have plenty of visits from the
little things just by planting the flowers they like best, assuring them
the very finest/ideal/natural nectars with all the required nutrients.

-paggers
--
Get your Paghat the Ratgirl T-Shirt he
http://www.paghat.com/giftshop.html
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to
liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot." -Thomas Jefferson

"madgardener" wrote in message
...

"Anonny Moose" wrote in message
...

"Snooze" wrote in message
I think the point of boiling it is to sterilize the syrup and retard
spoilage. Sugar water, is a an all-you-can-eat buffet for all kinds of
microorganisms.

-S

Boiling the water just helps dissolve the sugar. I think mold is the major
concern and even boiling it you'll get mold growth if you leave it out
long
enough. The feeder needs to be cleaned often.


boiling the water dissolves the sugar, but boiling the water dissipates
the chlorine and florides (if there is florides added to the water) which
aren't bad but not necessarily good for the birds either..........(hell in
the wild they face DDT's and pesticides........)


Boiling the water long enough might dissipate the chlorine but it would
concentrate any flourides.

thanks Hal! g (no, the hummers didn't tell me anything. I watched them
snapping up teeny little fliers and supping all spring and summer on my
flowers. I never put any nectar or sugarwater out for them this year. they
gleaned every drop they could from everything around my gardens, and before
I could make up any supplimental sugar water for them, they were gone. and
this year was the first year I've had so many! I based this on previous
year's when I'd only increase the sugar in October just before they left for
the South American regions for winter. ) thanks for clearing this up
madgardener
"Hal" wrote in message
news

I'm not Travis, but I'm curious, is there research to prompt such an
opinion? Don't tell me a little birdie told you so.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/feeders.html

Here's the recipe for artificial nectar (syrup):
Use one part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water.

It's not necessary to boil the water. The microorganisms that cause
fermentation don't come from the water; they are transported to the
feeder on hummingbird bills.

Store unused syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

This mixture approximates the average sucrose content (about 21%) of
the flowers favored by North American hummingbirds, without being so
sweet it attracts too many insects.

Regards,

Hal

In article , says...
thanks Hal! g (no, the hummers didn't tell me anything. I watched them
snapping up teeny little fliers and supping all spring and summer on my
flowers. I never put any nectar or sugarwater out for them this year. they
gleaned every drop they could from everything around my gardens, and before
I could make up any supplimental sugar water for them, they were gone. and
this year was the first year I've had so many! I based this on previous
year's when I'd only increase the sugar in October just before they left for
the South American regions for winter. ) thanks for clearing this up
madgardener

Hi Maddy. Sounds like it might be an early winter. How're your wooly
bears looking?

Bill

On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 19:02:54 -0400, "madgardener"
wrote:


"Richard Miller" wrote in message
news:ImY0f.391$fE5.193@fed1read06...
The so called nectar in a bird feeder: Isn't that just sugar water? About
a 4 to 1 ratio? Should you put red die in it? Is it ok to put it in the
sun?

Richard
boil the water.....use two cups of fine white sugar to 4 cups of water, no
food coloring necessairy. the hummer's will know what it is. yes, you can
put it in the sun, but if it's hot, you have to make sure it doesn't turn
or ferment. the hummer's get drunk and it's not good for them. (no, they
don't pick fights and try to drive home......g) if it is hot, the sugar
water will turn, so I'd just put half of the mixture in the feeder and the
rest in a container in the fridge until you're ready to change it again.
madgardener whose hummers seem to have gone to Mexico..............


Nah, they're all here in Texas! I saw a bunch today at my feeder as
they are migrating through right now. I see species I don't
ordinarily see here.

When you stop seeing hummingbirds for at least 10 days.

On Wed, 5 Oct 2005 20:59:50 -0400, "Keith Corwell"
wrote:

I live in Maryland my question is when should I take the feed down.
"Richard Miller" wrote in message
news:ImY0f.391$fE5.193@fed1read06...
The so called nectar in a bird feeder: Isn't that just sugar water? About
a
4 to 1 ratio? Should you put red die in it? Is it ok to put it in the sun?

Richard

On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 15:29:03 -0400, "madgardener"
wrote:


"Travis" wrote in message
news:Wq41f.1138$dl.755@trnddc08...
The ratio is 4 to 1.
it might be, Travis, but for their fall trek to Mexico I make it stronger
for them. They appreciate it too! g
madgardener

Travis in Shoreline (just North of Seattle) Washington
USDA Zone 8
Sunset Zone 5

Maddy, I know you mean well, but it's harmful to them to have it so
strong. They only need the same or equivalent level of sugar which
they'd get from flower nectar.

Maddy, you wouldn't intentionally hurt a fly! People think more sugar
is better for their migration, but what most people don't realize (and
paggers many have listed this in her info) that hummingbirds get most
of their nurtition from insects, not nectar.

On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 01:12:46 -0400, "madgardener"
wrote:

thanks Paggers! I am always willing to learn and admit when I'm not right.
I appreciate you clearing these facts up. (REALL!Y!! )
maddie
"paghat" wrote in message
news
In article , "madgardener"
wrote:

"Anonny Moose" wrote in message
...

"Snooze" wrote in message
I think the point of boiling it is to sterilize the syrup and retard
spoilage. Sugar water, is a an all-you-can-eat buffet for all kinds of
microorganisms.

-S

Boiling the water just helps dissolve the sugar. I think mold is the
major
concern and even boiling it you'll get mold growth if you leave it out
long
enough. The feeder needs to be cleaned often.


boiling the water dissolves the sugar, but boiling the water dissipates
the
chlorine and florides (if there is florides added to the water) which
aren't
bad but not necessarily good for the birds either..........(hell in the
wild
they face DDT's and pesticides........)
and yes, Travis, 4-1 ratio, but honestly, it doesn't hurt them to make it
a
bit richer for their flight to their winter homes. g
madgardener

Cyberforest.net's hummingbird page notes: "Don't make the mix any stronger
[than 4:1]. Too much sugar is bad for the hummingbirds."

I doubt you're doing great harm since late-season hummers will be
transient visitors & won't eat often of the unhealthy concentrate. You'd
hurt them more giving them too concentrate a nectar when they are nesting,
as they'd be using nearby feeders too regularly during that time. But
overly sugared nectars can be harmful at any time if too often
encountered, & in no case does increasing the ratio strengthen them for
their winter journey. Here's an overview of why it's bad for their health:

Sugar water may supplement hummingbird diet but if they are so fond of
sugar water that they neglect their NATURAL diet, they will become
deficient in scores of minute but essential nutrients. Too much sugar
might actually hamper their search for the more appropriate natural
nectars. Ideally sugar-water feeders are not the only things the hummers
find in a garden which will be full of trumpet-shaped spring & summer
flowers, or for summer & autumn sage-blossoms, especially in reds, either
planted in the garden or set about in pots. Providing potted plants in
autumn bloom would be much more an energy-boost than more concentrated
sugarwater for their autumn/winter journey.

Some hummers actually reject over-sugared artificial nectars, & good thing
they do since it is unhealthy for them. As the Suite101 hummingbird page
says, "Do not alter the proportions, as hummers will turn away nectar that
has too much sugar."

But other hummers will favor feeders with the most sugar in the water &
they will come from greater distances from their nests to feed,
overlooking more healthful flower-sources along the way, knowing where
they can get the bigger but mineral-deficient sugar load. These hummers
become sickly & neglect their nests are are away from their nests too long
at a stretch.

Those hummingbirds fed too much sugar can develop calcium deficiencies,
muscular weakness, & bone malformations similar to rickets. Their eggs are
apt to be soft-shelled & will not hatch.

Some hummingbirds appear to show signs of illness resembling drunkenness
when feeders contain too much sugar.

Over sugaring their nectar also encourages rapid bacterial growth in the
feeders & can also attract bees, wasps, & bee-flies.

Too much water is less harmful than too much sugar, though both can be
harmful, as too little sugar could cause some hummers to not get their
daily caloric requirement.

Some hummer fans claim their higher concentrates "fatten" the birds for
their winter trip. I doubt that. But it certainly would not help them get
to their winter homes if it were true they were getting fat!

I have planted for hummingbirds & I do not supplement their diet
artificially. I have blooms for them persistently from spring through
most of autumn, & in our zone the hummers are usually gone before the
autumn-flowering sages & asters & Hibiscus moscheutos are done, so there's
never a time when they cannot find something that is a favorite. It might
be possible to make the hummers linger a bit longer if I were to hang the
garden with feeders too, but I seem to have plenty of visits from the
little things just by planting the flowers they like best, assuring them
the very finest/ideal/natural nectars with all the required nutrients.

-paggers
--
Get your Paghat the Ratgirl T-Shirt he
http://www.paghat.com/giftshop.html
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to
liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot." -Thomas Jefferson