After attending several lectures by the Hummingbird Bird expert in Christoval, TX (that feeds 3 1/2 gallons of food per day), I have learned some helpful information regarding feeding hummers. The mixture is 3 parts water to 1 part sugar. There is no need to boil the water, just use hot water, mix and stir. Add a tiny drop of red food coloring (so you can see when it is empty).
Do not remove feeders in fall, as the passing through hummers are looking for food. They will leave when they are ready and should. In hot weather, the food spoils quickly.
By jbennett from San Angelo, TX
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Everything I have read is the red dye is harmful to the hummingbirds. I make my food like you but no red dye.
I agree with the ratio of sugar to water. However, if you have chlorine in your drinking water, you should boil it first. Chlorine is a terrible poison. If you are on a well, cold water is best since it contains fewer accumulated minerals than your hot.
Warm the water to room temperature if you wish in a clean, No Detergent residual container. Stirring for a while at room temperature is best. Any food coloring is harmful to the birds. They can see the clear solution level just fine. For their protein requirements, they pick tiny gnats out of the air, among other small insects on plants.
Personal observations and experiments over 30 years are my qualifications. Please remember the migrants that will visit, hopefully, so keep your feeders 1/2 full & clean (no soap), until you haven't seen one in a week or two. I have year around hummers, Anna's.
I have looked at at least 25 sites about how to make hummingbird nectar and every single one except this one says to use a 4 to 1 mixture. One site said that making it sweeter than this makes it difficult for the birds to digest it.
Food Coloring is fatal for the hummingbirds...PLEASE don't use it....just plain water and sugar!!
Red food coloring can hurt the digestive sysytem of the birds, please do not use food coloring!
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