Feeding Tips :  Hummingbird Nectar & Suet Recipes



1. Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
​​
Male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds arrive the first week of May and depart

at the end of October.  


Rarities such as Rufous hummingbirds may appear in September or October.


Here are a few pointers for preparing the nectar:


A.  WATER:  ​Boiling tap water removes impurities, chlorine or chemicals.  Do

not use water that has gone through a softener.   Do not add food coloring.

​B.  SUGAR:  Use white granulated sugar.  Do not use molasses, honey,

artificial sweeteners, no powdered or brown sugar.


RECIPE

          1.  4 cups of boiling water

          2.  1 cup of white granulated sugar  

          3.  Stir until sugar dissolved
​
         4.  Put in feeder once it has cooled.  Spills when refilling outside,

attracts ants, insects and other sugar loving critters.  Emptying, cleaning

and refilling close to a sink enables you to rinse afterwards.

It is suggested to clean the feeder and ports before refilling.
 
         5.  Refrigerate the extra nectar. 

 
ANT INVASION

Installing an ant moat which has been filled with water is the best way to

avoid invasions.  The moat is placed between the feeder support and the

feeder.  Do not use pesticides or insecticides and do not apply petroleum

(vaseline) or grease.  This could jeopardize the hummingbird's  life if its

feathers are in contact with this sticky stuff.  It wouldn't be able to preen it

​out.





​

2.  Suet Recipe


1 cup melted beef suet (they do not like pork!!)

1 cup chunky peanut butter

3 cups instant oats
 
3 cups cornmeal

Heat fat until melted, then add peanut butter, oats and then stir

in  cornmeal 

You may add raisins, berries, chopped nuts, peanuts, and wild bird seed to

the mixture


Mixture may be put into a log that has holes drilled in it.  The holes must be

widely spaced and staggered so that birds do not rub their feathers on the

mixture.  The mixture may be put in an empty coconut half-shell or it could

be stuffed into a pine cone which is then hung in a tree.

It could also be put in a container the size required for the store bought suet

baskets.  Freeze the suet before putting it in the baskets


Expect visits from Black-capped Chickadees, White-breasted and Red-

breasted Nuthatches, Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers.



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Bird Feeding Tips

The most important factor that will influence birds to your feeder is not what the feeder looks like but what you are feeding.  Birds are ingenious creatures and if there is food available to them, they can figure out how to get it.  Birds like nearby vegetation in proximity to their food source.  It allows them to carry off the seed to a selective perch and to consume that seed in comfort.  Vegetation is the key to attracting all types of birds and insects, butterflies and bees as well to your property on a year-round basis.

Seeds are just one component to the feeding program.  Nectar look-a-likes (for hummingbirds, and orioles) are also important considerations in the summer and suet during the winter months.

Never forget that water plays an important part of attracting birds.  Bird baths or deck ponds will add a variety of birds to your backyard viewing and will bring you hours of enjoyment.

Bird Feeding Preferences

Blue jay - shelled peanuts, shelled sunflower seeds, black oil or striped sunflower seeds
Chickadees - black oil or striped sunflower seeds
Cardinal - sunflower and safflower seeds
American Goldfinch - Niger and sunflower seeds
Purple Finch - all types of sunflower seeds
Mourning Dove - white, red proso or golden millet and sunflower seeds
Common Grackle - cracked corn, black oil or striped sunflower seeds
Evening Grosbeak - striped sunflower seeds
Song Sparrow - white and red proso millet