Dan True, the AZ author (and scientist) who wrote "Hummingbirds of North America" has stated that there is some evidence such a ration as 1:2 would damage the birds' livers...though he is quick to say there is some evidence; but no proof. Like others, he has said water is important to the little birds and they get most of it from the nectar. If the nectar is too rich, they do not get enough water; especially in hot water. Mr True's book is quite excellent reading...especially his chapters on feeding, feeders, etc. I highly recommend it......and wouldn't go more than a 1:3 ratio...and then only in cold weather. Beverly Jensen www.RuralChatter.blogspot.com P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
--- On Mon, 7/27/09, Jeff J Jones <[email protected]> wrote: From: Jeff J Jones <[email protected]> Subject: [cobirds] Hummingbird sugar water mixture question To: [email protected] Date: Monday, July 27, 2009, 4:19 PM All: I have been aware for some time that all of the stated literature recommends a mixture of 4:1 (water:sugar) for proper hummingbird food. That this most closely matches the natural sugar mixture found in the plants they normally nectar from. I was recently at an acquaintance’s home up here in Teller Co that literally had hundreds of hummers at her 8 or so multi-port feeders. I was amazed. She mentioned to me that she uses a mixture of 2:1. So, the question is quite simply – what is the harm to the hummers by using such a mixture if any? And, is it truly this mixture that is attracting such large numbers of hummers to her feeders? She only lives a mile as the crow flies from me; and while I only have 2 multi-port feeders, at any one time I only have a couple hummers around. Is this mixture like cocaine or something to these guys? And does it correspondingly cause any issues? I did my due-diligence on the web before posting here and couldn’t find anything definitive. I am not looking to start a thread with anecdotal info or hearsay. I am looking for something that can guide me reliably in what I should be doing. Thanks Jeff J Jones ([email protected]) Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Colorado County Birding: http://www.coloradocountybirding.com/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.as/group/cobirds?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
