I’ve been enjoying these lovely little guests in my backyard for quite some time, and I’ve come to learn that not all hummingbird feeders are made the same. Putting out these sugary stations can sometimes cause problems for these beautiful little jewels of nature, even when we are trying to do good.
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Check Price1. Your Nectar Has Become Cloudy or Moldy
Seeing cloudy nectar in a feeder is heart-breaking. But did you know that this isn’t just unhygienic, it is actively harmful to birds? Comfort food for humans is sugar water, but when it comes to humming birds, it is actually dangerous. Sugar water, when mixed with warm weather, can ferment in just two days if it is cloudy. This can cause severe fungal infections in a humming bird’s tongue and throat (source). Cold weather may just delay the event by a few days (4-5 days) so be sure to clean feeders often.
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2. You Are Using The Wrong Ratio Of Sugar
In my early days of trying to attract hummingbirds, I foolishly assumed that more sugar meant more happiness in the little birds. I obviously didn't know what I was talking about. A dangerous concentration means anything over a four to one ratio of water to sugar. Any stronger solution than that can damage the birds' tiny livers and kidneys. For the sake of the birds, NEVER use honey, use artificial sweeteners, or use red dye. These additives can be fatal to the birds. (Source)
3. Missing Bee Guards From Your Feeder
The tiny yellow plastic flowers help protect insects from drowning in the nectar. They help prevent the nectar from being contaminated. If bee guard flowers are damaged or missing, not only can bees and wasps become trapped, but the nectar can leak. This attracts ants and creates a sticky mess. A sticky mess can mat the feathers of hummingbirds. (source)
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4. The Feeder Is Located in Direct Sunlight
A little like how my grandmother's sweet tea would sit on the porch and become spoiled, nectar can also spoil when it is left in direct sunlight. Sunlight can actually heat nectar to unsafe levels, resulting in the nectar spoiling even faster. Try to find a place that gets morning sun and is shaded in the afternoon, but also make sure to check those hot summer days, as nectar can actually get too hot to be safe for birds to drink. (source)
5. Your Feeder Has Rusty or Dirty Ports
In the same way that you wash the dishes in your home, the feeding ports need to be cleaned regularly. Dirty and rusty feeding ports can attract harmful bacteria, and can lead to infections in the beaks of the hummingbirds. A small bottle brush, along with a cleaning solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water, works well to clean and keep feeding ports safe. (source)
6. Red Dye and Food Coloring
The old myths about attracting hummingbirds to feeders may be tempting, but they are a best avoided. Instead of the bright red dyes and flashy colors, natural sugar water and red plastic parts used in the feeders will attract the tiny birds just as well. Again, plain sugar water is what nature intended and is all that the little birds need. (source)
7. The Feeder Is Positioned Too Close to the Windows
Placing feeders near windows might lead to deadly collisions with the birds. The average bird can fly about 30 miles per hour. Window strikes are a common occurrence. Either place your feeder less than 3 feet from the window or more than 30 feet from the window so the birds have enough time to react.
8. Your Feeder Has Cracks or Sharp Edges
If you use plastic feeders, remember that they can crack with sun exposure and temperature fluctuations. These cracks can injure the tongues and beaks of hummingbirds, which can be used 12 times a second while feeding! Look for damage in your feeders and replace them when you see cracks. (source)
9. You Aren't Cleaning the Feeder Correctly
Just using hot water is not going to clean your hummingbird feeder. Even if your feeder looks clean, it can still build up biofilm which can harbor dangerous bacteria. Use a bottle brush to clean them with a vinegar and water solution, or bleach solution (1:10) and remember to rinse thoroughly. Remove all mold so clean every nook and cranny where mold could be hiding. (source)
10. Your Feeder Is Overcrowded
A single feeder can attract too many hummingbirds and aggression can prevent smaller or younger birds from feeding. Male hummingbirds are particularly territorial. If you see a lot of fighting, set up multiple feeders at least 10-15 feet apart to give everyone a chance at the sweet stuff. (source)
