“Sick birds may appear lethargic, unusually ‘fluffed up,’ have nasal discharge, or have excessively watery eyes or swelling of the head and eyelids,” according to the SPCA. For British Columbia, Canada, see this article on “ removing bird feeders and baths during avian flu.” Follow advice for your location from local birding experts and government agencies. While waterfowl, raptors and scavenging birds such as gulls seem particularly vulnerable, song birds aren’t as widely affected. Avian flu is highly contagious and has killed millions of wild birds, as well as infecting backyard chicken flocks and poultry farms. Avian Flu – Are Hummingbirds Affected?Īvian flu is taking a heavy toll throughout North America, with many municipalities advising the removal of backyard bird feeders. Track the migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds in North America add your own first sighting of the season. Thank you! Make Your Own Hummingbird Feeders Try there first! However, if you purchase from an affiliate link on this site, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you which keeps this site up and running. I hang mine under the house eaves because of the shade but also because I can more easily enjoy a close-up view of the hummers as they come to visit.ĪllFreeCrafts is reader supported! Many craft supplies are readily available at local dollar or thrift stores. Hanging the feeders in a shady spot discourages fermentation and nectar spoilage. Juvenile hummingbirds will fight incessantly over territory, a fascinating battle royal to watch, but you can encourage a more friendly hummingbird community by increasing the number of feeders. Since hummingbirds are territorial, consider hanging two, or more, feeders – at least one in the back yard and one in the front, thus accommodating as many hummingbirds as you can. Pin Fighting Over Territory: A pair of juvenile ruby-throated hummingbirds battle all the way to the ground. How to Make Hummingbird Food – Videoįor visual instructions, watch a one-minute video on making homemade nectar. Once the feeder is clean again, rinse it thoroughly, multiple times, removing all traces of bleach. A small bottle brush can be handy to scrub crevices. If mold develops, you will need to soak the feeder in a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) until the mold is gone. Follow the vinegar wash by rinsing three times with clear, warm water before refilling with sugar solution. If the feeder is dirty, try adding a few grains of dry rice to the vinegar solution to help scrub it clean. You should clean your feeder at least once a week, more often if the water gets cloudy.Īccording to the National Audubon Society, cleaning should be done by rinsing with one part white vinegar to four parts water. Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use.ĭo not add food coloring, honey (which ferments), or artificial sweetener, which has no nutritional value. Boil the water first, then measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water.
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