You Could Be Killing Hummingbirds: Here’s How to Save Them

Hummingbirds are beautiful, delightful little creatures to have around your garden. Not only are they great pollinators, but they also bring fun and frivolity into your yard. Many homeowners and gardeners put feeders up to keep these precious summer personalities around.

If you don’t take the necessary steps to provide healthy nectar and clean feeders, your favorite pollinators could catch deadly infections.

Hummingbird feeders must be kept clean and free from mold and fungus, or your tiny friend could develop a serious and deadly fungus infection. This infection causes the tongue to swell, making it impossible for the birds to feed. Losing the ability to consume nectar, these sweet little birds face starvation.

A mother hummingbird can pass a fungal infection to her babies who, in turn, could also face the possibility of dying from starvation due to swelling tongues.

Not changing out the nectar enough could create fermentation within the nectar. Fermented nectar can cause liver damage, which usually will lead to death.

The Basics of Hummingbird Care

When looking to purchase a feeder, find one that is easy to clean.

To clean your feeder, flush it with hot tap water and use a bottle brush to scrub the sides of the glass jar. DO NOT use soap because it will leave residue behind. If you do use soap, use a vinegar and water solution to rinse and remove soap residue.

Inspect the feeder carefully for black mold. If you see any mold growth, soak the feeder in a solution of 1/4 cup bleach to one-gallon water for one hour.

To make the nectar, mix one part ordinary white cane sugar to four parts water. Do not use store-bought mixtures, honey, or any other kind of sugar ~ just ordinary white cane sugar will work. Bring the solution to a boil, stir to dissolve the sugar, then allow the mixture to come to room temperature before filling the feeder.

Boiling the water will help slow the fermentation process of the nectar, but as soon as a hummingbird beak dips and drinks, healthy microorganisms carried on the beak will be transferred into the nectar.

If the nectar becomes cloudy, it has gone bad and needs to be replaced. A sugar solution can spoil in as little as two days. If your feeder is hanging in the sun or outside where the temperatures are high, the nectar may start to ferment in only one day.

To avoid wasting nectar, only put out enough for the birds to consume in two or three days. If you mix up a large batch, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

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Experts Beg Gardeners To Look For Hummingbird Eggs Before They Prune

Mother Earth is beautiful and abundant. When spring rolls around, animals go into a reproductive frenzy. With warmer weather upon us, it is crucial for you to learn what to do if you stumble upon eggs in a hummingbird nesting area.
 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a warning on Facebook to help protect fragile hummingbird nests. Luckily, people care enough about preserving the environment and this beautiful species, since it was shared over a quarter of a million times.

 

The post features photographs taken by Kelly Campbell, which shows an incredibly tiny hummingbird nest resting precariously between the branches of an evergreen. Hummingbird nests typically weigh less than one-tenth of an ounce.

The USFWS urged people to be cautious with their accompanying message:

“Hummingbird eggs are tiny, about the size of jelly beans! Please remember to carefully check for nests before you trim trees and shrubs this spring.”
 

Their warning is important for all of us since hummingbirds live all throughout America. Whether you're a homeowner or a city-dweller, you always have an opportunity to stumble upon a nesting ground when you're outside.

Hummingbirds can live all the way down in Chile and also make their way up to Alaska! These tough, little birds nest wherever they can. They're especially fond of building their homes in gardens.
 

If you have your own garden, it's likely that you maintain it to admire the beautiful flora and fauna. Hummingbirds will be drawn to any garden with vibrant plants, bird feeders, and birdbaths. Gardens are a dream home for hummingbirds, so don't be surprised if one settles in and starts a family!
 

Female hummingbirds use moss, leaves, and even spider webs to construct their tiny nests. They prefer to nest over down-sloping branches with running water nearby, but they make do with whatever they can. They make sure to camouflage their nests with lichen to protect their eggs from predators, but this makes them more susceptible to unknowing gardeners who are just trying to maintain their land.
 

Now that you know where hummingbirds love to nest, be extra cautious next time you visit your garden. If you're pruning or weed whacking, take a little extra time to inspect for any tiny nests that may be hidden in your garden.

Of course, if you do happen to find a nest, never disturb it. Leave whatever stray branches or weeds that are surrounding it. Trust us, it'll be worth it once you see the dozens of beautiful hummingbirds zipping around your garden after they hatch.