Winter Feeding - Anna's Hummingbird

One, untypical here in the Pacific Northwest, morning we woke up to about 8 inches of snow, apparently it had been snowing all night.  When I opened the curtains to the back deck I noticed the hummingbird feeder handing there, half full of frozen nectar with snow stacked up on top of it.  Seeing it immediately made me realize we had not taken the feeder down for winter!  I didn’t even get the door open when all of a sudden, right there in my face, was an Anna’s hummingbird.  He let me know he was there and he made sure I knew that he knew his food source was unavailable.

My husband and I spent several minutes admiring his iridescent emerald feathers and sparkling rose-pink throat.  The Anna’s Hummingbirds are among the most common hummingbird, especially here along the Pacific Coast, yet they’re anything but common in appearance!

Here are a few tips we have learned to keep these little guys fed all winter.

• Do NOT adjust the mix ratio.  Always make it 1:4 sugar to water.  Too much sugar will damage their kidneys and liver, some research reported too much sugar can also rot their tongue.   Experts recommend staying consistent with a 1:4 mix, that’s 1 part white sugar ONLY and 4 parts water, mix, bring to a boil, after it cools you can fill feeders with it.  NEVER use honey, brown sugar, maple syrup or the like – ONLY WHITE SUGAR. 

• Don’t add Red Dye.  Instead, buy red feeders.

• Have two feeders and rotate them.  The mix will begin to freeze around 29 degrees.  Rotating feeders throughout the day will keep the fluid moving and available to the birds. Alternatively they do not feed at night so you can bring them indoors.  However, they start feeding at dawn, so put them out as early as possible.

a.       Don’t want to get up at 5 am?  The Audubon Society suggested stringing Christmas light around the feeder, the ambient heat can be just enough to keep things thawed.

b.      Duct Tape a hand warmer to the feeder.  These pouches can emit heat for approximately 7 hours.

c.       Another method to try is plumber’s heat tape.  They have a built-in thermostat in the cord and can be easily wrapped around and taped to many types of feeders.

So in general, don’t stress too much about the welfare of the Hummingbirds.  Our winters here are mild and the occasional cold snaps are usually not that long.  Hummingbirds are wonderfully created with the ability to reduce their body temperature at night and conserve their energy.  Don’t try and put a bird house out or some other structure, they roost in trees and shrubs and do not use nesting boxes or cavities.  Keep their feeders filled with clean, nectar – especially in the colder weather.  Remember they also get their protein, vitamin and mineral requirements from consuming insects.

If you’re looking for unique, handmade hummingbird feeders, click here.

Thanks for reading!  Happy Hummingbird watching!!