Hummingbirds
Q&A with Lanny Chambers
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Q. What are the biggest dangers facing hummingbirds?
A. Picture windows,
and deforestation on their wintering and breeding grounds and migratory
pathway are probably the biggest dangers.
Q. How can I help hummingbirds get ready for their
migratory journey?
A. Hummingbirds need to fatten up to nearly double normal body weight
to survive the journey. Keep your feeder up and filled until you are sure
they're gone.
Q. What's the best kind of feeder and sugar water for backyard hummers?
- Make your sugar water mixture
from 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water.
- Don't use food coloring--your feeder should have red areas to attract the hummers.
- If you live
in an area where mornings are cool or cold, use feeders without perches,
or bring in the feeders overnight so the water will be warm in the morning.
When hummers sit and eat very cold sugar water, they may become hypothermic.
The work of hovering heats their muscles, preventing this.
- Clean your feeder
often to prevent bacteria and fungus from growing in the sugar water,
and to prevent the water from fermenting
- You can also provide fruit flies by setting out a mesh bag (such as onions are sold in) filled with bits of banana and melon.
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