Adding Hibiscus to Hummer Feed? (1 Viewer)

[johnofspam]

I live in Oregon and we have hummingbirds year round. It is unusually cold lately, around 30s, and I feel for the HBs, so I am putting out food for them.

Since they seems to like red colored food better, what about adding a little organic dried hibiscus flower (for tea) to the boiling water & sugar nectar mixture? It adds a reddish color and should be fine since they feed from that flower in nature anyway, right? They might like the taste. I even use organic too. Anyone know if it's safe though? (Assuming they even drink it) Thx! :cat: :bounce:

 

[KC Foggin]

Hello there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

Actually, hibiscus have very little nectar potency as far as hummers are concerned. I would strongly advocate not adding anything to the sugar and water. Your feeder should have enough color to lure them in and having dealt with winter hummers they don't need much coaxing to the feeder. You could, however, hang the feeder under a light for the night time if you are experiencing below freezing temps and you can increase the sugar ratio as well as the higher the sugar concentration the lower the freeze factor for the nectar. For instance 1 cup of sugar to 3 cups of water rather than 4.

 

[humminbird]

There is absolutely no evidence to support the contention that they prefer colored food. In fact, natural nectar is clear.

 

[PumaMan]

Your feeder should have enough color to lure them in . . .

I have this theory that after the hummers know about the feeders, the feeders could be painted black and they would still arrive there for nectar.

I may try the more concentrated (3:1) nectar for the winter - thanks for the tip.

 

[humminbird]

I may try the more concentrated (3:1) nectar for the winter

I would strongly recommend this for the winter months.

 

[humminbird]

Actually, hibiscus have very little nectar potency as far as hummers are concerned.

Where are you getting this data from KC? I see hummingbirds actively defending and feeding at hibiscus late in the day even in areas where plants that are generally considered "better" hummingbird nectar sources (turk's cap, shrimp plant (both varieties, David's Cuphea and others) as well as abundant feeders are present. Just curious

Mark

 

[fugl]

Where are you getting this data from KC? I see hummingbirds actively defending and feeding at hibiscus late in the day even in areas where plants that are generally considered "better" hummingbird nectar sources (turk's cap, shrimp plant (both varieties, David's Cuphea and others) as well as abundant feeders are present. Just curious

Mark

They're probably attracted more for insects than nectar (see, for example, http://www.rubythroat.org/RoseOfSharonMain.html)

 

[KC Foggin]

Where are you getting this data from KC? I see hummingbirds actively defending and feeding at hibiscus late in the day even in areas where plants that are generally considered "better" hummingbird nectar sources (turk's cap, shrimp plant (both varieties, David's Cuphea and others) as well as abundant feeders are present. Just curious

Mark

Hi Mark

This was something that was taught to me by Gary Phillips, Hummer bander/Humnet member and resident of nearby Conway SC many years ago when I first started watching the birds.

 

[humminbird]

I don't have any data to support this, but I would think it would depend on the species of hibiscus. Turk's cap for example is an hibiscus, yet we know it produces a very good hummingbird nectar. Native American hibiscus would have, in my opinion only, developed with hummingbirds being a significant pollinator (hummingbirds are generally assumed to be the primary pollinator of wildflowers), and so would likely have developed a nectar attractive to them. Asian and other exotic hibiscus would not have had a hummingbird to serve as pollinator so I would agree with Gary in that case. It would be interesting to see what an analysis said on the various hibiscus species.

 

[costaricafinca]

I know that the hummers here in Costa Rica rarely visit the normal ornamental hibiscus blooms. The Cinnamon hummer really likes the 'Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii,' AKA sleepy hibiscus (an upside down version of Turks cap) and the Plain-capped star throats, use it on occasion but the Ruby-throated hummers don't seem to go near it, but really likes the insects that live on or near it.
Of course, it would depend on what else is available. All of the 10 species we host throughout the year prefer the deep purple Stachytarpheta franzii or Portersweed/false vervain.

 

[rufous03]

Nothing is required other than sugar water (3-1) mixture, boil for at least five minutes, and then cool. No color is required and infact there seems to be evidence that red dye may be harmfull. Use a standard humminbird feeder and clean weekly. Position near natural cover so that they can retreat if they feel threatened. Once they become accustomed to your presence, and if you move slowly, you will be able to approach the birds as they feed, if your lucky, you can eventually get one or two to land on your finger. They key is, move s..l..o..w..l..y! Enjoy your feathered friends!

 

[humminbird]

Nothing is required other than sugar water (3-1) mixture, boil for at least five minutes, and then cool. No color is required and infact there seems to be evidence that red dye may be harmfull. Use a standard humminbird feeder and clean weekly. Position near natural cover so that they can retreat if they feel threatened. Once they become accustomed to your presence, and if you move slowly, you will be able to approach the birds as they feed, if your lucky, you can eventually get one or two to land on your finger. They key is, move s..l..o..w..l..y! Enjoy your feathered friends!

Boiling the mix is not recommended. Boil the water if you wish, but it does nothing except waste some energy and MAYBE slow spoilage a bit.

This bird does not look like she is after insects

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-12/905804/DSC_0066.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-12/905804/DSC_0067.JPG
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-12/905804/DSC_0073.JPG

In addition to numerous well maintained feeders, this garden had hamelia, cupheas, several salvias along with plenty of shelter and water.

 

[rufous03]

Boiling the mix is not recommended. Boil the water if you wish, but it does nothing except waste some energy and MAYBE slow spoilage a bit.

There is a great deal of information that indicates boiling the mixture is a must, however, as you say there is probably an equal amount of evidence that would indicate that boiling is not necessary. So, I tend to err on the side of safety and recommend boiling the sugar mixture. It has served me well for 40+ years. The MOST important thing is to keep the feeder clean and not let the mixture start to ferment. Not a problem if you have many visitors, but a definite problem where locations do not have a steady flow of hummingbirds.

 

[humminbird]

Boiling the mix is not recommended. Boil the water if you wish, but it does nothing except waste some energy and MAYBE slow spoilage a bit.

There is a great deal of information that indicates boiling the mixture is a must, however, as you say there is probably an equal amount of evidence that would indicate that boiling is not necessary. So, I tend to err on the side of safety and recommend boiling the sugar mixture. It has served me well for 40+ years. The MOST important thing is to keep the feeder clean and not let the mixture start to ferment. Not a problem if you have many visitors, but a definite problem where locations do not have a steady flow of hummingbirds.

When I watch banders throw in the sugar (no measuring) and run the tap then pour it in the feeder, I do not worry about boiling.

 

[rufous03]

When I watch banders throw in the sugar (no measuring) and run the tap then pour it in the feeder, I do not worry about boiling.

In a situation like that I can see no reason to boil the mixture, they are obviously going through a substantial amount of man made netar and it is not sitting for days. At the feeders where I used to live, I would be pouring unused sugar water out as there were not enough visitors to empty the feeder in a week. But it gives me an idea to test this spring, boiled vs not boiled to see if the hummers have a preference. Where I photograph now, they empty several feeders in half a day. Unfortunately, only three sprecies to test on!

 

[humminbird]

In a situation like that I can see no reason to boil the mixture, they are obviously going through a substantial amount of man made netar and it is not sitting for days. At the feeders where I used to live, I would be pouring unused sugar water out as there were not enough visitors to empty the feeder in a week. But it gives me an idea to test this spring, boiled vs not boiled to see if the hummers have a preference. Where I photograph now, they empty several feeders in half a day. Unfortunately, only three sprecies to test on!

I was referring to feeding stations where it may sit for 3 - 5 days before being changed.

 

[rufous03]

I was referring to feeding stations where it may sit for 3 - 5 days before being changed.

Interesting. What species do you have as regulars where you are? All I see around my immediate area are Rufous, mostly males for some reason. Further west a few Black Chinned and an occasional Calliope, but in southestern British Columbia, large numbers of each are found in and near open mountain valleys. Cold spring weather and rain bring them to the feeders, if the weather is warm to hot, they only visit in numbers early morning and late evening.

 

[humminbird]

Texas has 18 species of hummingbird documented of which 13 have been seen in the Bastrop area. Our regulars are Ruby-throated, Black-chinned, Buff-bellied in spring through fall. Fall brings in additional Rufous, Calliope, Broad-tailed among others.

I have never had trouble attracting any of these and maintain my feeders without boiling the water for over 10 years here. Never boiled when I lived in Sault Ste. Marie, ON either.

 

[rufous03]

Well, I guess the honourable thing to do here is agree to disagree. But I will test your theory out vs mine in the spring to see if the hummingbirds have a preference. I will let you know. Have a great New Year.

 

[humminbird]

You too.