Birdfeeders

The most common feeder in use is the hummingbird feeder. They are easily filled with 4 parts water to one part white sugar. I use a 2 cup measuring cup which I fill with clean water and add 1/2 cup of sugar, mix until dissolved and put in the hummingbird feeder. There is no need to add red food coloring, for the colors on the feeder will attract the hummers.  There are also prepackaged nectar mixes which are fine, but they are more expensive than mixing your own. Once hummingbirds have found the feeder, they will visit it regularly, but many other birds also visit this type of  feeders.

Orioles are also nectar feeders, but since they are much larger birds than hummingbirds, they can’t feed at most hummingbird feeders. Therefore, there are many styles of oriole feeders available that have bigger perches and are usually orange, the oriole’s favorite color. As time goes on, more and more species of birds are discovering nectar feeders. Watch your nectar feeders and you many find other visitors, such as woodpeckers, goldfinches, house finches, grosbeaks, and chickadees.