I enjoy having a lot of birds around our house. The Kids get a kick out of rooting for the baby birds to make it every year. Our neighbors get crow nests, we get finch nests. It can get ugly, so The Kids have appointed themselves as finch guardians and scare the crows away. This year, it worked, we only had one baby not make it. I've talked before about our bird feeders in the front. Now I want to introduce you to our hummingbird feeders in the backyard.
Supposedly, commercial hummingbird food causes cancer in the birds. I'm not leaning either way, but I know that homemade food is cheaper. Especially when the birds are really pigs in disguise.
Around here, we call it hummingbird soup. It's 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Boil the water, add the sugar, stir, let cool, and fill feeder(s). Repeat every 3-4 days. The feeders need to be cleaned at least weekly. I've experimented with different feeders, but have finally found my favorite.
It is made by Best. I found it at the local garden center and it cost about $15.
I wish I had some pics of those birds enjoying it, but dang if hummingbirds aren't quick!
My kids love to watch the hummingbirds too but the soup attracts so many bumblebees's it freaks the kids out too...lost cause!
Posted by: noble pig | June 20, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Thanks for the tip, my son just asked the other day if we could get a bird feeder. I will have to look for the brand you mentioned.
Toni
Posted by: Happy to be at Home | June 20, 2008 at 05:39 PM