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Garden Gate:  Honey For Hummingbirds? NO!  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 09:47:26 AM
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I ran out of sugar last week so I used honey in the feeder. It went fast! I was worried they wouldn't like it but apparently they really do. It was empty this morning. So I just filled it back up. I used about 1/2 a cup of honey.
I was wondering if anyone else has ever tried this instead of sugar.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
Edited by - kristin sherrill on Jul 24 2010 4:01:58 PM |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 09:59:16 AM
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Kris...
I saw your post about this somewhere else... when I first read it my gut said that may not be a good idea.. but I held my tongue till I did further research.
I remember when my girls were babies, that I was told to never give them honey due to it being raw... I was thinking it may be the same for hummers, so I looked into it and I found several links... here is one to start you on reading a bit about this subject... http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hummingbird/msg04221517379.html
The Hummers are so much fun to watch, aren't they!
:o)
I hope the link will help you out with some insight.
Hoping your week end will be wonderful!
(((HUGS)))
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 10:14:58 AM
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Well, ok. That's pretty interesting. Had no idea. I just assumed honey would be a more natural thing for them. I did know about not giving honey to kids under a year old. I even waited longer than that. So I will go take it down. I hope I have not killed any of the hummingbirds.
Thanks, Karrieann.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 10:24:15 AM
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There were hornets all over the feeder when I went to get it. So maybe they are the ones who drank it all so quickly. I hope so. Maybe they will disappear soon. There were the big orange hornets and the black and white ugly stripped ones. Those are both really nasty mean hornets.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 10:35:01 AM
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LOL....wouldn't that be interesting!
This I know.. from observing.. if the hornets were all over the feeder.. hummers will not come near them.
Those hornets are nasty this year... and so many more than usual! Same way over there?
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My Blog: ...following my heart, dreams and Jesus
...http://karrieann-followingmyheartandjesus.blogspot.com/
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 12:43:50 PM
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Yes. There are so many. I even had a nest in my laundry room. So maybe the poor hummers didn't get any at all and stayed away. I hope so.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1515 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1515 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 3:43:20 PM
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In 1991 I spent a day volunteering at the hummingbird aviary at the Sonoran Desert Museum in AZ. The veterinarian who managed that exhibit told us that they only used sugar and water that was carefully boiled. Back then they also added vitamin supplements but I think nowadays the scientists have decided that isn't a good thing for the birds. It was so awesome to hold the feeder in my hand and have several species of hummingbirds drink from it!
Then in 1994 I had an opportunity to volunteer at a remote research station in the rainforest of Costa Rica. One of the researchers I assisted was studying hummingbird health and migration. I helped him maintain the feeders on the station grounds - there were 20 of them! Some were near the ground, others were high up in the trees and we accessed them from the elevated walkway system. He explained to us that the only thing to feed hummingbirds anywhere in the world is a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water. This combination is the closest humans can get to duplicating the nutritional content and ph of fresh flower nectar. I specifically remember him saying that one should never use honey, agave nectar, stevia or any other sweetener - only pure cane sugar without cornstarch in it. He had us boil the water for 3 minutes to kill any bacteria and pathogens that might be harmful, then immediately add the sugar and allow to cool. The temperatures were in the upper 90's when I was there and we changed the solution in the feeders several times a day. I didn't get to help in the lab, but another guy in our group got to view samples of the solution under a microscope before and after it was used in the feeders and record his observations. He said it was amazing how many more organisms were present and active when the samples were several hours old.
Ever since that wonderful and unexpected experience (I went to the rainforest to study plants...not fascinating little birds) I have been a stickler for cleaning my feeders. I usually change the solution at least three times a week. If the temps are above 70 I change it every day. And if it gets into the 90's I change it twice a day. These precious little guys and gals are worth all the effort!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 24 2010 : 4:01:12 PM
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Thanks, Mailyn. I have alot to learn about these little guys. I have had some come every year now. They will come to the window when they first get here the end of winter-early spring to tell me they are back! There is a dead tree with honeysuckle vines all over it where they nest. I saw a nest once. They are so tiny. I don't bother them at all.
I saw a few hummers at my windowbox earlier this afternoon. I have red geraniums and they were all over them! So they are fine.
I also have planted lots of cardinal flowers. They are growing up on fences and twigs. They are all just full of blooms about ready to burst open. I can't wait to see them. The hummers will love those. They are red flowers.
Does anyone grow specific flowers just for hummers?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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edlund33
True Blue Farmgirl
1515 Posts
Marilyn
Renton
WA
USA
1515 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2010 : 08:43:49 AM
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Yes, it was an amazing experience. Sadly, the professor I worked with passed away. But there are others who have picked up where he left off with his research. The Hummingbird Society publishes a newsletter that provides information about research and other findings around the world. Their website also has some good information about hummingbirds. National Wildlife Federation also has good information.
What species of hummingbirds visit your yards in Georgia? My suspicion is that your hummingbirds sensed the solution was not sugar and probably didn't even touch it. They are really smart little guys and will refuse solution if it isn't fresh or they sense something isn't right. I guess it would be like humans with sour milk. I think the yellow jackets probably hauled the honey water away.
We have Rufous hummingbirds from Feb - Oct and Anna's hummingbirds are here year round - even when it gets below freezing! Ocasionally we will also have Calliope humminbirds visit on their to and from the cascade mountains. In the winter when it gets cold I have to keep the feeders heated or change the solution frequently to keep it from freezing during the daytime.
Of course I grow flowers specifically for humming birds......I have planted native shrubs (Oregon Grape, Flowering Currant, Snowberry, Arbutus, Western Azalea) to provide natural food sources during the winter/early Spring. Then in the summer I have all sorts of perennial flowers - Aquilegia, Agastache, Hosta, Epimedium, Dicentra, Salvia, Penstemon, Physotegia, Hardy Fuchsias, Zauschneria, Buddleia, Ceanothus, Caryopteris, Phlox, Weigela, Syringa, Philadelphus, Lavender, Herbs, Lavatera, Digitalis, Crocosmia, Rhododendrons and Azaleas. Not to mention annuals in hanging pots and containers including Nicotiana, Fuchsias, Petunias, Snapdragons, Impatiens, Geraniums, Nemesia, Nasturtium, Sweet Peas, etc.
We have 3 Anna families that have nests in different areas. I have never found a nest on my property, but they are known to nest higher up in the fir trees where I wouldn't necessarily be able to see them. I have to keep feeders out on all 4 sides of my house to please them. Otherwise they waste all of their energy (especially in the winter) fighting over the feeders. The Rufous family is not as agressive, and they are half the size of the Anna's. So the 4th side of the house is all theirs where they don't have to compete with the bossy ones.
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 26 2010 : 08:49:30 AM
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I would love to see pictures of your house and gardens. I bet they are really happy there. I really don't know which kind mine are. The males have the ruby throats. I'll have to look closer and then check the bird books. And you are most likely right about them not drinking the honey water.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Garden Gate: Honey For Hummingbirds? NO! |
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Honey For Hummingbirds? NO!
