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  • ABOUT
    • Mission and Vision Statement
    • Equality and Diversity Policy
    • BSBO Board of Directors
    • BSBO Staff
    • Visit BSBO >
      • Directions
      • Building Improvements
      • Anna Macke Mikolajczyk Window On Wildlife
      • John Gallagher Memorial Birding Trail
    • eNews
    • BSBO Blogs >
      • BSBO CONSERVATION BLOG
      • BSBO Bird Bander's Blog
      • BSBO Education and Outreach Blog
    • Contact Us
  • Support BSBO
    • 2024 Year-End Appeal
    • Donate
    • Join or Renew
    • BSBO Swamp Shop
    • Bartlett Big Sit
    • Education Center
    • Sponsor A Mist Net
    • Help BSBO while you shop
    • Birds and Business Alliance
    • Birder Tea Fundraiser
  • RESEARCH
    • Peer-Reviewed Publications
    • Songbird Research >
      • Migration Monitoring >
        • Migration Tracking
      • Prothonotary Warbler Research
      • Building Collision Study
      • Oak Openings
    • Morning Flight Count
    • Project SNOWstorm >
      • About Project SNOWstorm
      • Meet Buckeye
      • Meet Wolverine
    • Research Highlights >
      • Gray-Cheeked Thrush from Colombia, South America
      • BSBO Bird Bander's Blog
    • Past Research >
      • Colonial Wading Birds
      • Ohio Winter Bird Atlas
      • Shorebirds
    • Reports >
      • Annual Project Reports
      • Navarre Marsh Annual Banding and Survey Data
    • Research Volunteer Form
    • Research Volunteer Page
  • EDUCATION
    • Bird Migration Profiles
    • Family Activities >
      • Free Online Resources
    • Young Birders >
      • Ohio Young Birders Club
      • Youth Birding Camps
    • Teachers >
      • Songbird Banding and Migration Programs
      • Students Against Balloon Releases
    • Group Programs >
      • Presentations by Request
    • BSBO Bird Knowins
  • Conservation
    • BioBlitzes
    • Bird-safe / Birder-friendly Communities
    • Responsible Wind Energy
    • Conservation Updates
    • Position Statement on Feral and Free-Ranging Cats
    • Habitat Designations
    • Easy Ways for YOU to Support Conservation
  • EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
    • Birding with BSBO >
      • BSBO's Biggest Week In American Birding
      • Frequent Flyer Birding
      • Lake Erie Pelagics
    • Birds at Home
    • Highway Clean-up
    • Calendar of Events
  • NW OHIO BIRDING
    • Responsible Owl Viewing
    • Local Birding Hotspots
    • Local eBird Tips
    • Regional Bird Checklist
    • Timing of Spring Migration
    • Timing of Fall Migration
    • Timing of Fall Shorebird Migration
    • Spring Migration Wave Theory
    • ABA Code of Birding Ethics
    • Ohio Bird Alpha Codes
    • Birder Calling Cards
    • Birding Ohio

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HUMMINGBIRD & ORIOLE FEEDING TIPS

3/30/2021

4 Comments

 
Picture
Adult male Baltimore Oriole
As we eagerly await the return of hummingbirds and orioles, here are some tips and recommendations for the best, safest feeders, and accessories. 
​
  • The only safe ingredients for hummingbird food are white sugar and water. The best hummingbird food is made at home using four parts water to one part sugar. Bring water to a boil, remove from heat and immediately stir in sugar. Allow to cool completely before adding to feeders. (Boiling removes any impurities in sugar and helps any extra last longer in the refrigerator.)
 
  • NO RED OR ORANGE DYE IN SUGAR WATER!

  • Only a small amount (1/4 cup or less) of grape jelly each day. Think of it as a treat, NOT a meal.

  • KEEP THE FEEDERS CLEAN! CLEAN! CLEAN!
    ​

  • Orange halves and grapes are excellent food for orioles and other birds! ​​
Picture
Adult male Ruby-throated Hummingbird
FEEDER RECOMMENDATIONS 
The feeders pictured are great because they're easy to fill, easy to clean, and the saucer-style discourages bees and wasps.
Picture
The Aspects HummZinger feeder includes a high view perch that invites hummingbirds to rest comfortably as they drink from any of four feeding ports while also offering an unobstructed view of the birds. Bright red cover attracts humming birds from a distance and is easily removed so the bowl can be cleaned quickly and thoroughly. Constructed of unbreakable polycarbonate. 4 feeding ports. (Click the image to purchase.)
Picture
This oriole feeder from Wild Birds Unlimited offers several feeding stations, includes jelly wells in the lid, and a place for an orange half. Orioles are especially attracted to citrus in the spring, and will seek out orange halves and grape jelly before shifting to a nectar diet. These feeders are easy to hang, dishwasher safe, and come with a limited lifetime guarantee. (Click the image to purchase.)
NO ANTS AT THIS BIRD FEEDING PICNIC 
Ants are a very important part of the natural food web. Many bird species, like Northern Flickers, feed on ants. But ants can be problematic at bird feeders that offer sweet things. A large ant moat is a vital addition to any feeder that offers something sweet. Hang the ant moat above the feeder and fill with water. (The feeder hangs from the loop in the bottom of the ant moat.) The water creates a barrier that ants can't cross. The larger size means it doesn't go dry as quickly.
Picture
The Duncraft Super Big Nectar Ant Guard holds three times more water than standard protectors or built-in ant moat traps. That means less maintenance. This high quality plastic nectar protector fits between your hummingbird feeder and your hanger and prevent ants from reaching your nectar, jelly or oranges. (Click the image to purchase.)
Remember: only feed birds if you're willing to be a kind and responsible host!


4 Comments
Cheryl Wendt
6/9/2021 06:58:16 pm

Does BSBO sell Purple Martin houses, or where can I purchase them? I am a member of BSBO. Please let me know. Cell phone 419-355-7387. Thank you. Cheryl Wendt

Reply
David Niederhauser
7/15/2021 01:16:35 pm

i had a hummingbird on my feeder and it was sick , it looked like it having a seizure or spasm. i took down the feeder, and was wondering how long before i may put it back up. there were other one feeding on it.

Reply
Vickie
5/27/2022 01:18:16 pm

I have found an Excellent deterrent to keep ants away from my hummingbird feeder poles.I soaked a piece of cloth in WD40 and taped it to the bottom of my post. No more ants! It’s no where around my birds and does hurt anything but it stops ants and bugs from crawling up the pole. Thanks to a person on google who wrote this suggestion, it works!

Reply
dishwasher repair cape coral fl link
6/14/2022 09:18:55 am

Wonderful birds, thanks for the tips

Reply



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The mission of the Black Swamp Bird Observatory is to inspire the appreciation, enjoyment, 
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