Honey, molasses, agave syrup, raw sugar, turbinado or brown sugars should always be rejected for various reasons. Hummingbirds have even come to artificially sweetened waters using Equal, Sweet & Low, and similar substances. Most of these soda drinks use high-fructose corn syrup, the least expensive and most harmful of all sweeteners. Clear soda, such as Sprite, and colored sodas, such as orange- or strawberry-flavored sodas, and even darker colas, have all been observed being used by hummingbirds. At a 5- or 6-to-1 ratio, pure sucrose (refined cane sugar from C & H or Domino, not beet sugar) will offer a second-best alternative to our nectar. Sugar water (pure sucrose mixed with water) of varying sweetness and intensity has been tried. Both scientists and some of our customers have experimented using a wide variety of sweet liquids. It has been well documented that hummingbirds will drink almost any sweet liquid from a feeder. Our attitude is guided by the mantra “Cause No Harm.” When considering what to offer hummingbirds in their feeders, we believe it is always preferable to err in their favor. Perhaps the most controversial topic is - exactly what is nectar and how does it differ from sugar water or other sweet liquid solutions? This debate will likely continue for years to come. This is just one example of modern scientific research shattering the myth of how hummers intake their nectar. (See our website archive article, Hummingbird Bills and Tongues, for a more detailed description and slow motion, extremely close-up videography of the tongue in action). More recent research, just in the past few years, now shows that the feathery fringe material that is found on the edges of the hummingbird tongue, the lamellae, soak up mini amounts of nectar and when the hummer closes its bill, the nectar is forced into the throat by mechanical action. This quickly became the accepted theory and replaced the old straw theory. It was assumed that the cilia fibers that coat the tongue actually forced the liquid nectar up their tongues and into their throats through capillary action. In fact, they discovered the tongues of hummingbirds are actually a V shape. Then, after certain researchers decided to take a more in-depth look into this subject, it was discovered that their tongues weren’t round with a hollow space in the center. For example, for decades it was thought that hummingbirds use their tongues much like straws and simply suck up their nectar. Yet, there is still much to discover and add to the knowledge. We belong to and/or are in touch with some of the major hummingbird organizations. We read the research papers of other hummingbirds experts from the US and elsewhere. We have experts in the field right here in Arizona that are associated with the U of A, SABO (Southeast Arizona Bird Observatory), hummingbird banders and researchers (Susan Wethington, Tom Wood, Sherry Williamson, Larry Norris, etc). Several organizations are undertaking and publishing the newest research on hummingbirds. Suffice it to say that research continues at a faster pace today than it has over the last several decades. Hopefully, this article will provide information that is accurate, useful, reliable, and proven through observation, research, and direct experience.Įven within the scientific community, there is sometimes controversy regarding certain aspects of hummingbird life. Unfortunately, without doing their own research, they weren’t able to distinguish accurate scientific information from myth, folklore, or, simply, bad or misinformation. Quite often, people tell us they were given specific information by their neighbors or friends (who surely didn’t mean to mislead anyone). Of course, no one intends to harm hummingbirds but, over the years, we have heard some alarming feedback from folks whose main source of (mis) information may have been people with no scientific background or specific knowledge of hummingbirds. Regardless of its sources, I believe this information is correct, up-to-date, and provides guidelines for attracting and feeding hummingbirds without causing harm to these tiny, fragile birds. Much of what you read here comes from years of experience researching the natural history of North American hummingbirds, attracting and feeding them, and choosing what I consider to be among the best possible products to offer our bird-loving customers. Notes and Tips on Attracting and Feeding Hummingbirds About our Small Batch Bird Foods by WBS.
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