Your point of productive area is well-taken. Loads of midges & mayflies this year. Have read where 80% of a hummingbird’s diet is insect-based. They need the insects for protein & fat. And, no question, the hummers are not nearly so active at the feeder during the hottest part of the day. So, maybe they’re busy fly-catching.
One article I read is in-line with your comment about hummingbirds taking in some alcohol. Another, stated it was life-threatening, from the standpoint of the alcohol itself, plus also resulting in more collisions with widows or predation, secondary to intoxication. In any case, your point about fungal growth is definitely a concern.
As long as it’s so hot, I’ll clean daily. I’m just doing the one feeder & it’s in full sun all day. Where I got the whiff of alcohol smell was at the ports of the feeder &, suspect, nectar would do same in a flower, at times. Just curious how others approached hummingbird feeders. Thanks for your thoughts!
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
My feeders usually empty in about two days at most, except at end of season.
I can get bacterial or light mold growth inside feeder in real hot weather, which I rinse and scrub out before refilling. No characteristic fermentation smell so far in years. Feeder and surface is aerobic so I think fermentation is unlikely. So what’s bad about a little alcohol as an energy source anyhow. Someone will likely tell me.
In addition to fresh seeds for birds to eat, there’s loads of bugs to eat. Just wish someone got a taste for wasps. I guess I view shutdown in feeder visits as a sign of a productive area.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl
Inkom
Was hoping you’d give insight to your area, Bill. Maybe, the hummingbirds, esp, have just gone to higher & cooler elevations. Certainly, not much in bloom along stretch of river I’m most familiar with. Still getting a couple of Rufous ea day & a few Black-chinneds. But, can go an hour or more between sightings.
Also, would appreciate thoughts. Have read some articles stating that the fermentation of sugar to alcohol in the feeder isn’t a huge cause for concern, as nectar in a flower will do the same. And, hummingbirds have adapted to the consumption of a bit of alcohol. Personally, esp with the excessive heat lately, also just like to keep the feeder clean. Even, in best of conditions, I don’t let the feeder stay out more than 48 hrs between cleanings. Thoughts, anyone?
Brian Carrigan
Blackfoot
Cool a bird that we have not had come through our apartment complex here off Parkcenter bordering Loggers Creek, lot’s of deer but no Turkey’s at least while we were looking 🙂
On Aug 4, 2024, at 6:53 AM, Virginia Rivers via groups.io <riverscapes@…> wrote:
Got this shot of one that’s part of a ‘roving band’ in my neighborhood…Garden City close to the river in Riverside Drive area.
I’m in the North End of Boise, and I have a ton of birds coming to the feeders. House Finches, Lessers, RB Nuthatches, BC Chickadees, Mourning Doves, and yes, American Goldfinches. Our Hummers are still substantial,
sometimes fighting over the feeders. Plus, we have a roving band of Wild Turkeys in the North End, but they have yet to visit my yard. 🙁
Tom McCabe
Agree with your identifications of species & Louisa’s comments as to molting, etc.
On the east side of Idaho, I spend a lot of time along Main Snake River riparian regions & a fair amount on Henry’s Fk & South Fk of the Snake. Overall, I would have to say, bird numbers seem decreased to me. In my backyard, the only exceptions
would be Black-headed Grosbeaks & House Finches, numbers of which are still solid. But, as you’ve noted for your area, my hummingbird numbers are visibly decreased. Compared to this time last year, 75+% fewer. I can’t necessarily chalk it up to the heat &
wildfire smoke, as in 1988 (yr of Yellowstone Fires), we had record numbers of hummingbirds. I was filling three 8 oz nectar feeders daily.
Now, I’m only filling one feeder with 6 oz (to prevent waste), as I’m cleansing & re-filling the feeder daily, because of the heat. And, I don’t want the sugar to turn to alcohol. Even with filling only 6 oz, I’m still wasting 2-3 oz daily.
Suspect, many factors are at play which are not necessarily good for our feathered friends.
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Ken Miracle
chukar28@…
208-570-2780
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” 2COR 3:5
Interesting. My experience has been different. Once fields, flowers, berry bushes and pine and other trees bloom and seeds are available, the seed eater’s generally leave my feeders alone. In fact some years I just take them down until late September. This year is no different. Goldfinches and Siskens are elsewhere. Hummers still coming and Rufous even returned. Sandhill family with one Colt are practicing flying over fields.
Bill Moore
Hoot Owl Rd
Inkom
Got this shot of one that’s part of a ‘roving band’ in my neighborhood…Garden City close to the river in Riverside Drive area.
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