@@jorgem.magana4723 the feeder has an ant moat right between the feeder and suction cups attached to the window. That why I'm dumbfounded by them getting into the feeder. I have no clue HOW!
Chip & dip platter has a moat - fill chip part with water & put feeder in the middle dip part - what fits well is the plastic peanut butter feeders Robbie shows in 1 of her videos
I had a humming bird one spring I named Zoom . He was the most friendly social bird I've ever known . He would greet you when you walked outside and then fly all around your head . He flew from one side of the deck to the other . He was more entertaining than any human I've known . If you didn't acknowledge that you see him he would fly right in front of your face and fly up and down until you said something to him . God I sure miss that bird !! Zoom was my best friend from the bird world . 😊
I really enjoyed reading about your experience with Zoom. I have a little story that is completely opposite of yours. I have a resident male who I have never named. I don't know why, I just haven't. Anyway he is very territorial. It doesn't matter if other Hummingbirds are male or female, he chases them away all the while chattering very loud at them. I put up two other feeders so the others could eat. I even placed them where he could not see the other feeders from any feeder. But ya know that little dickens took over all three and will not let the others feed in peace! You would think he would wear himself out and drop dead. But he stays. I would guess he has been here for 4 years and he stays year round. I have to make sure that during the winter I bring in his feeder at night to keep it from freezing. I also have to really make sure I have the feeder back out just before dawn the next morning or he just might die. You know they go into a hibernation type sleep at night. And if they can't feed as soon as they can in the morning after it freezes they could very well drop dead. They are amazing little creatures who I find fascinating. And just like yours if I do not have the feeder up in spring and summer he sure lets me know. Before my little one got so much of my attention I did not know about their hibernation habits and other intriguing things about them. Thanks again for sharing!!
Lol GeeEm! Gail I stayed In Odessa,Tx for a week and saw how territorial Eastern Broadtail males can be- identical story there too, such little rascals!
69 Bama my dad had a hummingbird that came to his Michigan feeder for three years...his name was fluffer, because he was oddly fluffy...he stood out from all the others, thats how he was recognized those three years. Its so cool you had a special hummingbird friend!
I want to thank you. I had hung hummingbird feeders and used the bottled stuff. Nothing. I almost gave up until I saw your video. I used your recipe and method to prepare and wow! Within the hour - I am not exaggerating. I had a hummingbird feeding and one flying near. I see even more a couple of days later! Thanks again!
Thank you for your video and recipe. I have had a feeder with commercial nectar in it and never seen a hummingbird feed. I cleaned the feeder and put your recipe in it and within 48 hrs I had my first hummingbird ❤️
This has been the best Hummingbird class. Thank you so much. I feel blessed just to have two returning all year (Tucson). These two little creatures give me so much pleasure just waking up in the morning to see them feeding and so busy flying about. I think they influence me to sit up, turn my body each and every way and jump up to face the day. Thank you for the idea to add little wires for them to sit on. Will do tomorrow!
I now use my hand to remember the ratio. My thumb represents the sugar & my other 4 fingers represent the water! I never have to think about it again & have not forgotten the recipe since viewing your video over a year ago! I now have over 14 hummingbirds coming to feed on a daily basis & I fill the feeders every 3rd day with a small amount of the sugar mix to keep it fresh & clean. Thank You Thank You Thank You! I tried the dollar tree feeders & didn't like the way they are designed, so I found a better brand at Home Depot. Bought 2 & went back for a 3rd so I could do a quick change for my little buddies!
SO cool, and their numbers will grow bigger as those have babies. I use both the dollar hummingbird feeders and others and a NEW one that I will get up on UA-cam very soon, thanks, Robbie
Robbie, you are such a delight! I watched your videos, upgraded our feeders and added more, started making my own hummingbird nectar, now we have tons of hummingbirds daily! Thank you so much for sharing your brilliance! I appreciate you being such a shining light example of stewardship to such sweet little birds!
Here in Kansas, they do not just politely wait their turn. They usually fight over the feeder. Like one male hangs out chasing everyone else off!!! My neighbor and I have doubled our feeders this year and migration is underway and there are so many more birds than I ever remember seeing. We went from 4 last year, with a good amount of birds feeding to 9 feeders this year, I had 1 bird thru the summer, I say one bc we would only spot it occasionally, but now that they are migrating I see them at all the feeders! I just watched your ‘my sugar recipe is the sweetest’ video and that is going to make change out easier. So thank you!! I’m learning a lot from your videos.
So happy the hummingbirds found you. Their movements and behavior has been different this year, I wonder if the Super Bloom events was the reason. Glad if I can be of any help, thank you so much ❤️😊
"They aren't here right now" as one flies over your head. LOL Thanks for this video...I love seeing hummingbirds in the garden. Such an incredible bird.
Thanks for the sugar to water ratio. I was mixing it 1 to 1 and eventually had to put the feeder on the ground because the hummingbirds became obese. Good info!
I love your video! I make hummer food in a quart mason jar, which is 4 cups. If you just put in 3 c warm/hot water and one c of sugar, its easy to shake the jar to mix it all up, then add the 4th c water. My problem was orioles! they found the feeder and were gulping down sugar water! I got another kind of feeder with smaller holes and havent seen the birds lately.
Love your videos. This is EXACTLY what I came to UA-cam for . It is spring time in Toronto. I want to create a welcoming environment for hummingbirds. It is not common sight to see them here, but I already did this year. It was feeding on the flowers in my garden. I got exited to see it . I don’t have a lot of trees here so I will plant some hibiscus 🌺 to attract them and of course install a feeder. Thanks so much for the video.
👏👏👏Thank you for this information.👏👏👏 I use organic white sugar and a pinch of citric acid, a few drops of edible red, they like the red, when I do not use red the bottle lasts double time, also they like this touch of citric acid. I have a family of hummingbirds and I like to see the little boys eating nectar.🐤🐤🐤I am going to switch to normal white suggar because organic is expensive.
Thank you for the information it helps I have never put out anything for hummingbirds now I know how I am very glad you’re telling other people to save the beautiful hummingbirds May God bless you thank you and the hummingbirds thank you too😊💕
Thanks, Robbie! Not having any feeders in my backyard for quite a few years, I just learned within the last couple of years watching the hummingbirds in my backyard that they go after small gnats and such in spider webs. They were also going after whatever bugs they could find in my Bird Of Paradise, as well as the nectar from the flowers. After finally getting my health back, I'm now putting out hummer feeders again and have made one of the solar powered water fountains for them. Will be making more and getting more feeders again. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! (Notice my meme?)
This is a wonderful video and so informative! I learned a lot from you today and I have been feeding the hummingbirds for over 15 yrs. I live in Ohio and my hummers left a week ago although I still have my feeders up for stragglers. I will take mine down tomorrow. This year I have had to take mine down at night because of raccoons at night, but I wait until it is pitch black out to take them in and then put them back up at 6 am. A real pain, but the raccoons drag off the feeders. I put clean food out every other day because my feeders don't get drained every day like yours. It is important not to let food ferment in the heat that is not eaten. I never use colored water, but put a red fake flower on the feeder to attract them if I move the feeder. I know I have some of my same hummers every year because they know exactly where to go to find the feeders. I also have my feeders close to blooming flowers. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I love them too! Great job with your presentation!
Thank you for making this video. I bought more feeders yesterday after seeing four hummers in our yard. I also bought the pre-made, red nectar. I found out yesterday that this wasn't good for them, so I thought "There's no way that white, refined sugar can be better, so I'll buy them some Cane sugar. Now after watching your video, I know to give that exact stuff, refined sugar; they won't have to endure those harsh things that they can't digest. Thank you for saving them. =)
I've been making your hummingbird water and they love it and your right it doesn't need no dye I've got more Hummer's this year than ever thanks Robbie
Hummingbirds like trumpet vines. The vines get beautiful trumpet shaped flowers that are bright coral, but are called scarlet trumpet. I had some many years ago that I found in the woods and transplanted them near our house. You can plant them near a fence or near a dead tree and they will twine around it and become a source of privacy, as well as attracting the birds.
Thank you so much Robbie!! I have gotten my white sugar (raw sugar changes into syrup in my desert sun) and now I am watching to see what happens! I have a bossy bird, I have named him Simon Cowell, who chases everyone else away however, I watch your videos and I believe I can do what you are doing! I am just south in Baja and there are fabulous hummers here, I even saw an orange one! Thanks for inspiring me. I trust that Simon will let others come to the feeders in my hummingbird corner! ❤️
HI Robbie !!!, We live in Scottsdale and during the summer months (110*) we have noticed when we change our feeders there is black mold inside the feeders, we NOW change the feeders every other day and we only fill them half way which has resolved the issue... We just got our water pump and look forward to making A solar fountain. Thank you Robbie, My wife and I love your videos.
Thank You Robbie for answering my question of how long to keep my hummingbird feeders. Should I take the feeders down when it snows. I love your videos. Got excited when I saw 4 hummingbirds at one feeder. Thank You again for your advice.
First, are there ANY flowers around when it is snowing? That can keep some birds around, if everything is white and frozen, than most likely the hummingbirds had moved to lower ground, like the coast of Orange county, or Los Angeles, where lots of people have gardens...BUT if you see birds around than you can keep it up, if none are around, take it down until you see them again, as the weather warms. Here they stay all year round, thanks, Robbie (Meet a man at Homedepot from your area, in December, he was growing tomatoes up against his house, all he did was drape some plastic from the root over the plants and he told me they grow all year for him....he made a micro climate, so fun.
Hello Robbie, from high desert in Calif. Thank you for the information. We have lot of hummingbirds visiting our garden..they're absolutely beautiful!💜💜
I did exactly that and they still ignore it........ that’s why I bought the hummingbird vine and other attracting plants! I still love what your doing and love watching your hummers!
Very helpful info. I noticed for first time this year - 2019, that the hummer food I made with Domino brand white sugar seemed a little cloudy. Also it was more finely pulverized than usual. So I made my 4 - 1 water/sugar mix with another brand that has more normal size looking grains of sugar... and behold! it looks clearer. Just being super careful in case anything was mixed in with the Domino sugar. I love our hummers to much to feed them something bad!
I only use Domino white granulated sugar for my feeders. Your water is not hot enough. I microwave my 4 cups for 5 minutes in a 1100 watt unit, add the sugar and stir to crystal clear, Hummers love it!
This video was extremely helpful! Thank you for all the research you did before making the video. I trust information a lot more when there has been good research done. Thank you! Happy feeding.
Thank you so much for this informative video... I learned a lot!!! Finally after 21 years I can have a Hummingbird feeder... In the mountains of New Mexico we tried to have them... but it attracted the BEARS too!!!
Wow! Best info ever. I thought unrefined sugar would be better. No hummingbirds this year so far. Switched to reg cane sugar today. Looking forward to more hummers!
Every year I have had around 6 Hummers. this year not so :( I have 5 feeders placed through out the yard. keep them clean and 1/4 way full. Always If one feeds, another will chase it away. I love love my Hummers. Saw spider webs yesterday, guess I will leave them now:) Thank you for sharing :)
Thank you for your research I didn't know they stole from the spider's... hummingbirds are my favorite birds they are so beautiful...... so thanks again ......🌻🌻
Thank You Robbie, I always put out four feeders each season. The Hummingbirds come about this time now, is whence begin to see them and they leave in September. I read where they go by the light of day and not temps. I live in south eastern Pennsylvania so we only get the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. I have had them sit on the feeders when I refill them and hang them up and they make their little chirp sounds when they are low or empty. When it gets hot I do change the nectar every three to five days. Don't want drunk hummers flying about. I have read that you can increase the amount of sugar in the beginning and end of the season. After listening to you I shall stick to the 1-4. I also wash the feeders most every time I change or refill the feeders. My daughter lives in Portland Or. And has her feeder out all year,bringing it in if it freezes and back out in the morning. I shall tell her to put out two. She has mostly the Annas Hummingbirds. So Thanks Kindly. I have subscribed so I will see you again. Love, Light, Peace and Hummingbirds! DaveyJO inPa.
I always boil the sugar and water when making my hummers food and let it come to room temperature before filling feeder. I change their food every 3 to 4 days regardless of whether there is still liquid in the feeders. I feed them year round. ( reason for boiling water and sugar, it kills bacteria)
Being a licensed wild-bird rehabber the correct way is boil the water separate from sugar you will not have the correct ratio 1 part sugar to 4 parts water... it will not be accurate...boiling water kills bacterial growth as well if you use tap water it removes the chlorine... happy hummer watching!
@@coolabah-blue your very welcome... i just love these little gems... being in Colorado it has been tough for them we had snow just the other day... i make nectar fresh for them daily and let it cool down to luke warm and set it out for them early in the morning at 5:30 am an add treat for them... being retired it keeps me busy with spring being here if that what you want to call it around here... i several bird releases but have to wait for warmer temps, hopefully this week-end... Enjoy your hummers!😍
I am now filling their feeders every morning😂Always lukewarm. Weather in Washington is lovely now, my little darlings are happy to have warmer weather🌞Me too 🙏🏻
Thank you for this video. I love hummingbirds and enjoy watching them. I don't have the amount of birds that you do, which was awesome to watch while listening to this video. You have a beautiful place. Thanks for the tip on the running water.
Wonderful video and I subscribed. Must be incredible to live in California. 34 years ago I moved where I now live on a Toronto ravine. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had snow 2 ft deep, but snowplowed on my lawn 8 ft high. It rained, and then fell to minus 20 and it all turned to ice. I was a science teacher 35 years, and after reading Rachel Carson Silent Spring around 1962 when she warned of dangers of herbicides, pesticides/insecticides, I have never used chemicals. I also built a double pond on my sloping backyard, with a 12 foot limestone stream of gentle waterfalls and very shallow pools, bum deep to a robin. One pump with 2 inch hose, spreading in fine hoses throughout the stream. The hummers I believe are ruby throat and have memorized my location, feeders, and pond, and hover over them as though taking pictures to memory, darting quickly above to different parts of the waterfall. I too never use the red dye. I have endless varieties of birds, some passing through to their summer habitat further north. Yellow warblers, goldfinch, dove, bobolink, scarlet tanager, cardinals, Baltimore orioles, slate junko, chickadee, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, horned owl, red wing blackbird, purple finch, blue tits, flicker, downy, robin (some stay all winter) Our blue jay vanished after the West Nile virus 2001, and just showed up last year 2018. No ruby throated hummingbirds yet...Monarda is only 2 inch high. My driveway is lined with shoulder high ostrich ferns, with the fragrant native red monarda peaking throughout, which hummingbirds love. My research says Southern Ontario have hummer feeders out early May, but my monarda is only 2 inches and grows to 4 feet, peaking through the ferns. If they are actually here first week of May, they must be feeding on insects. I only have scilla and dog tooth violets in flower and yellow spirea and magnolia. My rhododendron and royal blue scilla and hyacinth are just beginning to open. Nothing else.
I enjoyed your video. Lots of good info. You might take a deeper look at sucrose recipes and the solutions of what the 1 to 4 volumetric mix of granulated sugar to water actually yields. It is not the oft quoted 20% to 25%, but around 17.9%. Then compare with nectar from flowers that we plant in our hummingbird gardens...
Great video! I wish you could have shown us more about the "seat" you made for your Hummers. Would love to add those to my feeders. Thank you for the video!!!
Your video is so helpful. I hope it helps ticket so many people excited take it out there in their Gardens and feed these little guys. Last Christmas it was so cold our hummingbird feeder froze over. So we had to put Christmas lights around the feeder. To keep it from freezing. And Christmas Eve we still had little Hummers out here :-) Pacific Northwest.
I’m so jealous of your yard with all the hummingbirds! And watching them play in the fountains! I had so many hummingbirds where I used to live. More and more came every year. Well we moved across town and now I might see 3 at the most every summer. It makes me so sad because I miss all my hummingbirds so much and wish I could have them like that where I live now.
Great idea! I found those same feeders at the Dollar Store, so I bought a handful, then realized they couldn't relax while they fed and hang around! I'm making them a perch out of wire ala Robbie first thing tomorrow. Thank you!
****OMG, is that what this is!!!!**** I found it in the house we bought years ago, and since it had a "R", I washed it and started wearing it, I had NO idea what the R really stood for, BUT it makes sense as the guy was an Alcoholic that lived there always drinking, driving drunk....., THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Robbie
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy it was my fav beer for 30 years then sobered up. Thank you for your time, I love your channel, this video is why I joined. 🇺🇸 God Bless you and your family have a great day 🇺🇸
I use Morena unrefined all natural non-gmo pure cane sugar. Others do as well. My hummers are extremely active and healthy and I've not seen any problem with this at all. Also, when the temperatures get above 90 I use 1 part to 5water so they stay hydrated. I sometimes put ice in their feeders. :) I have a huge number of hummers every year. I suppose all the babies come back every year and increase their numbers. Every year I have to put out additional feeders due to the crazy numbers of birds that swarm around. And I've started putting out a saucer for the lizards and wasps that try to feed from the hummer feeders. That way there's no problem and they all feed together all day long.
well I found your research very helpful..especially since I wanted a healthy sweetener for the birds...the digestion part was the main part I liked..I always thought sugar was an inflammatory agent so I was searching for some other sweetener..but it appears regular white sugar is the one..not maple sugar ...agave...confectionery...raw or brown sugar....stevia? guess I wont chance it...regular sugar ...thanx!
I was just going to mention my new feeder doesn’t have perches. I’m off to make some. Great idea! First I’m watching the hummer bath video! I have a bird bath but they don’t use that as far as I’ve ever seen.
Hey Robby! I love all your hummingbird videos and due to you I’ve attracted an unreal amount. I was wondering if you could do a tour of your different types and styles of feeders. Would love to know why you love some over others. Also which ones attract more and less and for what reason. Thanks so much I hope to see more videos from you. You’re awesome!!!!!!!!
Great clip thanks for putting it up! When you add a dissolving solid (sugar) to a liquid (water) the volume will not change unless the solid exceeds the volume of the liquid. I just wish I could figure out a way to count how many regulars I have because as you said, they all look alike mostly and leave for a random amount of time. The only way I know my population is growing is the fact that i'm up to 10 gallons a week now between all the feeders.
Hi Robbie, I cut and pasted my post from 4 moths ago, too lazy to do another one on this visit (2nd time). This LADY is the greatest and all who feed hummingbirds should follow her advice: Hi Robbie, Gary, Your tutorial video was GREAT. Your recipe is absolutely correct. I have come across people that say use 1 to 1. Not good. I cringe when i see red nectar. If I may ask the area where you call home. I am in So California, Agua Dulce. Been feeding hummingbirds since 1968, 51 years, always using 4 to 1 ratio and after couple months they started coming regularly, I quit using red dye on my own. If I may ask the area where you call home. I am in So California, Agua Dulce. You yard looks beautiful. Regards, ~~ Karen Calypte P.S. I'll be back Regards, ~~ Karen Calypte P.S. I'll be back
Hi Robbie, this is my third second time watching this video. I just love it. You also mentioned zucchini bread. Would you mind sharing you recipe. I am growing zucchini this year and would like to try your cake recipe. Thanks for all of your teaching!
I love my hummingbirds, they never fail to come every 15 mins or so most of the day. Of course only in the summer here in the Northeastern area (Pennsylvania)..Only problem I’ve ever had is the squirrels literally jumping and hanging upside down like little acrobats trying to get to it lol. We moved it in a better spot and problem solved. Thank for the video!
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy HOW ABOUT CANE SUGAR? WE HAVE 3 FEEDER'S BUT ONLY ONE DRINK'S OUT OF THEM! THIS HUMMINGBIRD STAY'S IN OUR PATIO ALL DAY, THE ONLY TIME HE LEAVE'S IS AT NIGHT! HE CHASES ALL THE HUMMINGBIRD'S AWAY😁 I, LOVE TO SEAT HERE BY THE WINDOW AND WATCH HIM ALL DAY😁
Beautiful and lucky southern California but not in Massachusetts. I make fountain waters with the big veggies plastic bowls. Or big cake bowls. Flowers and nectar. But never so many hummingbirds, so I admire your hard work. I noticed you don't have so many flowers for them which are healthier. Thank you for your information. Would be nice to show your garden flowers for them.
Someone from a wildlife sanctuary told me that the feeders should be changed if the birds don't eat it. He said it can cause a fungus and can kill them. HOw often should it be changed. Love your videos.
***Something else very important that I didn’t hear mentioned!*** Feeders MUST be cleaned/changed every 3-4 days or your nectar will spoil(especially In summer) and make the hummers sick or worse, kill them. 😢 So many people put out feeders and forget them...please be responsible! Don’t put out a feeder unless you intend to maintain it because we want to be sure and keep these little sweeties safe! 💜
@Big Bubba I'm thinking they may be the same thing. The butterfly and the hummingbirds both love them! One of my bushes has purple plumes and the other is white. They smell soo sweet and heavenly!
Yes feeders need frequent cleaning - amazing how black mold gets built up very quickly in the feeders so make sure you buy / make ones that come apart easily & easy to clean- my 1 feeder has so many tiny parts to it - takes 15 minutes to scrub & clean with tiny brushes- not buying that model again!!
We have tons of ants on the pole and the feeder. I’ve tried a few things with no luck. Any idea on how to fix this?
Thanks
Best way to STOP ants, check out this video I did this year, thanks ua-cam.com/video/WdobcI8uRfQ/v-deo.html
Attach an ant moat above the feeder. There are plenty of DIY's on UA-cam.
@@jorgem.magana4723 the feeder has an ant moat right between the feeder and suction cups attached to the window. That why I'm dumbfounded by them getting into the feeder. I have no clue HOW!
ua-cam.com/video/WdobcI8uRfQ/v-deo.html This works great!
Chip & dip platter has a moat - fill chip part with water & put feeder in the middle dip part - what fits well is the plastic peanut butter feeders Robbie shows in 1 of her videos
I had a humming bird one spring I named Zoom . He was the most friendly social bird I've ever known . He would greet you when you walked outside and then fly all around your head . He flew from one side of the deck to the other . He was more entertaining than any human I've known . If you didn't acknowledge that you see him he would fly right in front of your face and fly up and down until you said something to him . God I sure miss that bird !! Zoom was my best friend from the bird world . 😊
Awww I love the connections we can make from nature! Thanks for sharing that!
I really enjoyed reading about your experience with Zoom. I have a little story that is completely opposite of yours. I have a resident male who I have never named. I don't know why, I just haven't. Anyway he is very territorial. It doesn't matter if other Hummingbirds are male or female, he chases them away all the while chattering very loud at them. I put up two other feeders so the others could eat. I even placed them where he could not see the other feeders from any feeder. But ya know that little dickens took over all three and will not let the others feed in peace! You would think he would wear himself out and drop dead. But he stays. I would guess he has been here for 4 years and he stays year round. I have to make sure that during the winter I bring in his feeder at night to keep it from freezing. I also have to really make sure I have the feeder back out just before dawn the next morning or he just might die. You know they go into a hibernation type sleep at night. And if they can't feed as soon as they can in the morning after it freezes they could very well drop dead. They are amazing little creatures who I find fascinating. And just like yours if I do not have the feeder up in spring and summer he sure lets me know. Before my little one got so much of my attention I did not know about their hibernation habits and other intriguing things about them. Thanks again for sharing!!
I had an IRS agent show up that was like that!
Lol GeeEm! Gail I stayed In Odessa,Tx for a week and saw how territorial Eastern Broadtail males can be- identical story there too, such little rascals!
69 Bama my dad had a hummingbird that came to his Michigan feeder for three years...his name was fluffer, because he was oddly fluffy...he stood out from all the others, thats how he was recognized those three years. Its so cool you had a special hummingbird friend!
I want to thank you. I had hung hummingbird feeders and used the bottled stuff. Nothing. I almost gave up until I saw your video. I used your recipe and method to prepare and wow! Within the hour - I am not exaggerating. I had a hummingbird feeding and one flying near. I see even more a couple of days later! Thanks again!
Thank you for your video and recipe. I have had a feeder with commercial nectar in it and never seen a hummingbird feed. I cleaned the feeder and put your recipe in it and within 48 hrs I had my first hummingbird ❤️
Okay, than they did not like the other food, PERFECT, Thanks so much, Robbie
They are finicky lol birdies lol
This has been the best Hummingbird class. Thank you so much. I feel blessed just to have two returning all year (Tucson). These two little creatures give me so much pleasure just waking up in the morning to see them feeding and so busy flying about. I think they influence me to sit up, turn my body each and every way and jump up to face the day. Thank you for the idea to add little wires for them to sit on. Will do tomorrow!
They are so adorable and light, that just any wire will do, bread ties, anything. Love that they come back to you each year, thank you so much, Robbie
I now use my hand to remember the ratio. My thumb represents the sugar & my other 4 fingers represent the water! I never have to think about it again & have not forgotten the recipe since viewing your video over a year ago! I now have over 14 hummingbirds coming to feed on a daily basis & I fill the feeders every 3rd day with a small amount of the sugar mix to keep it fresh & clean. Thank You Thank You Thank You! I tried the dollar tree feeders & didn't like the way they are designed, so I found a better brand at Home Depot. Bought 2 & went back for a 3rd so I could do a quick change for my little buddies!
SO cool, and their numbers will grow bigger as those have babies. I use both the dollar hummingbird feeders and others and a NEW one that I will get up on UA-cam very soon, thanks, Robbie
Robbie, you are such a delight! I watched your videos, upgraded our feeders and added more, started making my own hummingbird nectar, now we have tons of hummingbirds daily! Thank you so much for sharing your brilliance! I appreciate you being such a shining light example of stewardship to such sweet little birds!
Here in Kansas, they do not just politely wait their turn. They usually fight over the feeder. Like one male hangs out chasing everyone else off!!! My neighbor and I have doubled our feeders this year and migration is underway and there are so many more birds than I ever remember seeing. We went from 4 last year, with a good amount of birds feeding to 9 feeders this year, I had 1 bird thru the summer, I say one bc we would only spot it occasionally, but now that they are migrating I see them at all the feeders! I just watched your ‘my sugar recipe is the sweetest’ video and that is going to make change out easier. So thank you!! I’m learning a lot from your videos.
So happy the hummingbirds found you. Their movements and behavior has been different this year, I wonder if the Super Bloom events was the reason. Glad if I can be of any help, thank you so much ❤️😊
"They aren't here right now" as one flies over your head. LOL Thanks for this video...I love seeing hummingbirds in the garden. Such an incredible bird.
Thank you, Robbie
It works! It works! Your recipe for humming bird food works. The savings will be great Thank you!
I like...people who DO THEIR RESEARCH.
Thanks, Robbie
Thanks for the sugar to water ratio. I was mixing it 1 to 1 and eventually had to put the feeder on the ground because the hummingbirds became obese. Good info!
Haha
I love how you are talking about hummingbirds when they're flying around your head!
I love your video! I make hummer food in a quart mason jar, which is 4 cups. If you just put in 3 c warm/hot water and one c of sugar, its easy to shake the jar to mix it all up, then add the 4th c water. My problem was orioles! they found the feeder and were gulping down sugar water! I got another kind of feeder with smaller holes and havent seen the birds lately.
Love your videos. This is EXACTLY what I came to UA-cam for .
It is spring time in Toronto. I want to create a welcoming environment for hummingbirds. It is not common sight to see them here, but I already did this year. It was feeding on the flowers in my garden. I got exited to see it . I don’t have a lot of trees here so I will plant some hibiscus 🌺 to attract them and of course install a feeder.
Thanks so much for the video.
bowls over the feeders shield them from the rain.
👏👏👏Thank you for this information.👏👏👏 I use organic white sugar and a pinch of citric acid, a few drops of edible red, they like the red, when I do not use red the bottle lasts double time, also they like this touch of citric acid. I have a family of hummingbirds and I like to see the little boys eating nectar.🐤🐤🐤I am going to switch to normal white suggar because organic is expensive.
Thank you for the information it helps I have never put out anything for hummingbirds now I know how I am very glad you’re telling other people to save the beautiful hummingbirds May God bless you thank you and the hummingbirds thank you too😊💕
You are very special and a great help for these magical little birds
This is a great refresher course. I thought about adding honey to the mix, but now I think not. Thanks for uploading!
You are such a good person to make this video thank you
Thanks, Robbie! Not having any feeders in my backyard for quite a few years, I just learned within the last couple of years watching the hummingbirds in my backyard that they go after small gnats and such in spider webs. They were also going after whatever bugs they could find in my Bird Of Paradise, as well as the nectar from the flowers. After finally getting my health back, I'm now putting out hummer feeders again and have made one of the solar powered water fountains for them. Will be making more and getting more feeders again. YAY!!!!!!!!!!! (Notice my meme?)
Love it. U r goddess mother of Humming birds.
Thank you, Robbie
Hello,
Started this year, I love watching them outside on patio, your recipe is good they love it.
Very good information mam ❤️❤️
This is a wonderful video and so informative! I learned a lot from you today and I have been feeding the hummingbirds for over 15 yrs. I live in Ohio and my hummers left a week ago although I still have my feeders up for stragglers. I will take mine down tomorrow. This year I have had to take mine down at night because of raccoons at night, but I wait until it is pitch black out to take them in and then put them back up at 6 am. A real pain, but the raccoons drag off the feeders. I put clean food out every other day because my feeders don't get drained every day like yours. It is important not to let food ferment in the heat that is not eaten. I never use colored water, but put a red fake flower on the feeder to attract them if I move the feeder. I know I have some of my same hummers every year because they know exactly where to go to find the feeders. I also have my feeders close to blooming flowers. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I love them too! Great job with your presentation!
Thank you for making this video. I bought more feeders yesterday after seeing four hummers in our yard. I also bought the pre-made, red nectar. I found out yesterday that this wasn't good for them, so I thought "There's no way that white, refined sugar can be better, so I'll buy them some Cane sugar. Now after watching your video, I know to give that exact stuff, refined sugar; they won't have to endure those harsh things that they can't digest. Thank you for saving them. =)
Hi Robby you are. An Excellent educator in hummingbirds I truly appreciate it I just noticed I have a hummingbird that comes by thank you💕💕💕💕💕👍👍👍
Thank you so much for answering all those questions and giving us so much great information ❣️❣️
Thank you for the hummingbird recipe i put my hummingbird feeder and saw my first hummingbird i was so excited😀
Thank you very much...my Hummers showed up Sunday!! right on time...1st Or 2nd week of April.
I wish we had these beautiful birds in Ireland ☘️ really enjoy all your videos it's so interesting! great job ✌🏼
Thank you for this great education. I have never set up for humming birds but i am excited... thank you again...
I've been making your hummingbird water and they love it and your right it doesn't need no dye I've got more Hummer's this year than ever thanks Robbie
can you share the recipe?
@@vwziful - dud you watch the video? She gives you full instructions at the end.😁
@@vwziful 1 cup white sugar and 4 cups of water
You make me smile Robbie. Thanks for another class on Hummingbirds that I can send to a lover of them and another friend who is a skeptic.
Hummingbirds like trumpet vines. The vines get beautiful trumpet shaped flowers that are bright coral, but are called scarlet trumpet. I had some many years ago that I found in the woods and transplanted them near our house. You can plant them near a fence or near a dead tree and they will twine around it and become a source of privacy, as well as attracting the birds.
Thank you so much Robbie!! I have gotten my white sugar (raw sugar changes into syrup in my desert sun) and now I am watching to see what happens! I have a bossy bird, I have named him Simon Cowell, who chases everyone else away however, I watch your videos and I believe I can do what you are doing! I am just south in Baja and there are fabulous hummers here, I even saw an orange one! Thanks for inspiring me. I trust that Simon will let others come to the feeders in my hummingbird corner! ❤️
Prayers for you and your family for the quake. Hope all is well.
HI Robbie !!!, We live in Scottsdale and during the summer months (110*) we have noticed when we change our feeders there is black mold inside the feeders, we NOW change the feeders every other day and we only fill them half way which has resolved the issue... We just got our water pump and look forward to making A solar fountain. Thank you Robbie, My wife and I love your videos.
That mold is common, most likely brought in my the hummingbirds feeder, do what you are doing, less food and clean out every other day, Thanks!
Thank You Robbie for answering my question of how long to keep my hummingbird feeders. Should I take the feeders down when it snows. I love your videos. Got excited when I saw 4 hummingbirds at one feeder. Thank You again for your advice.
First, are there ANY flowers around when it is snowing? That can keep some birds around, if everything is white and frozen, than most likely the hummingbirds had moved to lower ground, like the coast of Orange county, or Los Angeles, where lots of people have gardens...BUT if you see birds around than you can keep it up, if none are around, take it down until you see them again, as the weather warms. Here they stay all year round, thanks, Robbie (Meet a man at Homedepot from your area, in December, he was growing tomatoes up against his house, all he did was drape some plastic from the root over the plants and he told me they grow all year for him....he made a micro climate, so fun.
Thanks for the HB info.I love to watch them. Blessing.
Love you for what you do.
Mother Nature says thank you!
Thank you, Robbie
Hello Robbie, from high desert in Calif.
Thank you for the information.
We have lot of hummingbirds visiting our garden..they're absolutely beautiful!💜💜
Are they humming birds in Philadelphia
I did exactly that and they still ignore it........ that’s why I bought the hummingbird vine and other attracting plants! I still love what your doing and love watching your hummers!
You can not get hummingbirds to come to a feeder? But plants are perfect too! Thanks, Robbie
Huh? I never even thought to use filtered water! Thanks for opening up my eyes! Dud, ha! Love your channel!! Thank you!!
Very helpful info. I noticed for first time this year - 2019, that the hummer food I made with Domino brand white sugar seemed a little cloudy. Also it was more finely pulverized than usual. So I made my 4 - 1 water/sugar mix with another brand that has
more normal size looking grains of sugar... and behold! it looks clearer. Just being super careful in case anything was mixed in with the Domino sugar. I love our hummers to much to feed them something bad!
I only use Domino white granulated sugar for my feeders. Your water is not hot enough. I microwave my 4 cups for 5 minutes in a 1100 watt unit, add the sugar and stir to crystal clear, Hummers love it!
Thank you so much Robbie..what a wealth of information!!
This video was extremely helpful! Thank you for all the research you did before making the video. I trust information a lot more when there has been good research done. Thank you! Happy feeding.
Thank you so much for this
informative video... I learned a lot!!!
Finally after 21 years I can have a
Hummingbird feeder... In the mountains
of New Mexico we tried to have them... but
it attracted the BEARS too!!!
Wow! Best info ever. I thought unrefined sugar would be better. No hummingbirds this year so far. Switched to reg cane sugar today. Looking forward to more hummers!
Every year I have had around 6 Hummers. this year not so :( I have 5 feeders placed through out the yard. keep them clean and 1/4 way full. Always If one feeds, another will chase it away. I love love my Hummers. Saw spider webs yesterday, guess I will leave them now:) Thank you for sharing :)
Thank you for your research I didn't know they stole from the spider's... hummingbirds are my favorite birds they are so beautiful...... so thanks again ......🌻🌻
Thank you Robbie... Every video of yours gives me so much information.... Good Day To You... Be Safe
I get hummers all day everyday with this recipe
💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟💟
Thank You Robbie, I always put out four feeders each season. The Hummingbirds come about this time now, is whence begin to see them and they leave in September. I read where they go by the light of day and not temps. I live in south eastern Pennsylvania so we only get the Ruby Throated Hummingbirds. I have had them sit on the feeders when I refill them and hang them up and they make their little chirp sounds when they are low or empty. When it gets hot I do change the nectar every three to five days. Don't want drunk hummers flying about. I have read that you can increase the amount of sugar in the beginning and end of the season. After listening to you I shall stick to the 1-4. I also wash the feeders most every time I change or refill the feeders. My daughter lives in Portland Or. And has her feeder out all year,bringing it in if it freezes and back out in the morning. I shall tell her to put out two. She has mostly the Annas Hummingbirds. So Thanks Kindly. I have subscribed so I will see you again. Love, Light, Peace and Hummingbirds! DaveyJO inPa.
Thanx for the mix ratio! I'm trying to figure this out and have just put up 2 feeders for my momma to watch!
I just found you today. I really enjoy your videos. I hang three hummer feeders. So much fun!
I always boil the sugar and water when making my hummers food and let it come to room temperature before filling feeder. I change their food every 3 to 4 days regardless of whether there is still liquid in the feeders. I feed them year round. ( reason for boiling water and sugar, it kills bacteria)
Being a licensed wild-bird rehabber the correct way is boil the water separate from sugar you will not have the correct ratio 1 part sugar to 4 parts water... it will not be accurate...boiling water kills bacterial growth as well if you use tap water it removes the chlorine... happy hummer watching!
I appreciate your input! 😊
@@coolabah-blue your very welcome... i just love these little gems... being in Colorado it has been tough for them we had snow just the other day... i make nectar fresh for them daily and let it cool down to luke warm and set it out for them early in the morning at 5:30 am an add treat for them... being retired it keeps me busy with spring being here if that what you want to call it around here... i several bird releases but have to wait for warmer temps, hopefully this week-end... Enjoy your hummers!😍
I am now filling their feeders every morning😂Always lukewarm. Weather in Washington is lovely now, my little darlings are happy to have warmer weather🌞Me too 🙏🏻
@@coolabah-blue have fun caring for them and watching those little darlings!🤗
LOVE THE HUMMIN BIRDS, THANK YOU ROBBIE
Thank you for this video. I love hummingbirds and enjoy watching them. I don't have the amount of birds that you do, which was awesome to watch while listening to this video. You have a beautiful place. Thanks for the tip on the running water.
Thank you, I'm going to make the wires trick 👌🙏
Wonderful video and I subscribed. Must be incredible to live in California. 34 years ago I moved where I now live on a Toronto ravine. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had snow 2 ft deep, but snowplowed on my lawn 8 ft high. It rained, and then fell to minus 20 and it all turned to ice. I was a science teacher 35 years, and after reading Rachel Carson Silent Spring around 1962 when she warned of dangers of herbicides, pesticides/insecticides, I have never used chemicals. I also built a double pond on my sloping backyard, with a 12 foot limestone stream of gentle waterfalls and very shallow pools, bum deep to a robin. One pump with 2 inch hose, spreading in fine hoses throughout the stream. The hummers I believe are ruby throat and have memorized my location, feeders, and pond, and hover over them as though taking pictures to memory, darting quickly above to different parts of the waterfall. I too never use the red dye. I have endless varieties of birds, some passing through to their summer habitat further north. Yellow warblers, goldfinch, dove, bobolink, scarlet tanager, cardinals, Baltimore orioles, slate junko, chickadee, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, horned owl, red wing blackbird, purple finch, blue tits, flicker, downy, robin (some stay all winter) Our blue jay vanished after the West Nile virus 2001, and just showed up last year 2018. No ruby throated hummingbirds yet...Monarda is only 2 inch high. My driveway is lined with shoulder high ostrich ferns, with the fragrant native red monarda peaking throughout, which hummingbirds love. My research says Southern Ontario have hummer feeders out early May, but my monarda is only 2 inches and grows to 4 feet, peaking through the ferns. If they are actually here first week of May, they must be feeding on insects. I only have scilla and dog tooth violets in flower and yellow spirea and magnolia. My rhododendron and royal blue scilla and hyacinth are just beginning to open. Nothing else.
I enjoyed your video. Lots of good info.
You might take a deeper look at sucrose recipes and the solutions of what the 1 to 4 volumetric mix of granulated sugar to water actually yields. It is not the oft quoted 20% to 25%, but around 17.9%. Then compare with nectar from flowers that we plant in our hummingbird gardens...
I do what works best and studied by the hummingbird societies, thanks!
Love love love! You just inspired me to get a feeder. I hope I can get them to visit me.
You are such a nice lady. What a lucky bunch of birds. Congrats!
Great video! I wish you could have shown us more about the "seat" you made for your Hummers. Would love to add those to my feeders. Thank you for the video!!!
Thank you for giving us information. I will pass it on.
Your video is so helpful. I hope it helps ticket so many people excited take it out there in their Gardens and feed these little guys. Last Christmas it was so cold our hummingbird feeder froze over. So we had to put Christmas lights around the feeder. To keep it from freezing. And Christmas Eve we still had little Hummers out here :-) Pacific Northwest.
I’m so jealous of your yard with all the hummingbirds! And watching them play in the fountains! I had so many hummingbirds where I used to live. More and more came every year. Well we moved across town and now I might see 3 at the most every summer. It makes me so sad because I miss all my hummingbirds so much and wish I could have them like that where I live now.
Great idea! I found those same feeders at the Dollar Store, so I bought a handful, then realized they couldn't relax while they fed and hang around! I'm making them a perch out of wire ala Robbie first thing tomorrow. Thank you!
It is fast, and easy, and the birds love it, and light wire is great, after all, they sit on a leave without bending it over, have fun, Robbie
Hi Robbie, I love your hat. I used to drink a lot of Rainier Beer years ago. Haven't seen one for a long time. Thanks for the recipe.
****OMG, is that what this is!!!!**** I found it in the house we bought years ago, and since it had a "R", I washed it and started wearing it, I had NO idea what the R really stood for, BUT it makes sense as the guy was an Alcoholic that lived there always drinking, driving drunk....., THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Robbie
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy it was my fav beer for 30 years then sobered up. Thank you for your time, I love your channel, this video is why I joined. 🇺🇸 God Bless you and your family have a great day 🇺🇸
I use Morena unrefined all natural non-gmo pure cane sugar. Others do as well. My hummers are extremely active and healthy and I've not seen any problem with this at all. Also, when the temperatures get above 90 I use 1 part to 5water so they stay hydrated. I sometimes put ice in their feeders. :) I have a huge number of hummers every year. I suppose all the babies come back every year and increase their numbers. Every year I have to put out additional feeders due to the crazy numbers of birds that swarm around. And I've started putting out a saucer for the lizards and wasps that try to feed from the hummer feeders. That way there's no problem and they all feed together all day long.
well I found your research very helpful..especially since I wanted a healthy sweetener for the birds...the digestion part was the main part I liked..I always thought sugar was an inflammatory agent so I was searching for some other sweetener..but it appears regular white sugar is the one..not maple sugar ...agave...confectionery...raw or brown sugar....stevia? guess I wont chance it...regular sugar ...thanx!
I was just going to mention my new feeder doesn’t have perches. I’m off to make some. Great idea! First I’m watching the hummer bath video! I have a bird bath but they don’t use that as far as I’ve ever seen.
Great idea! Create fruit fly bin...
Hey Robby! I love all your hummingbird videos and due to you I’ve attracted an unreal amount. I was wondering if you could do a tour of your different types and styles of feeders. Would love to know why you love some over others. Also which ones attract more and less and for what reason. Thanks so much I hope to see more videos from you. You’re awesome!!!!!!!!
That is a very good idea, as I have had some that WILL NOT attract them. Thanks, Robbie
I love my babies I wait for them every year...
Thank you. I'm going to add little wire perches for them. I have only seen one at a time three different times this year.
am a texas birdwatcher love hummingbirds, this inf will help me out bit more thank you.
Great clip thanks for putting it up! When you add a dissolving solid (sugar) to a liquid (water) the volume will not change unless the solid exceeds the volume of the liquid. I just wish I could figure out a way to count how many regulars I have because as you said, they all look alike mostly and leave for a random amount of time. The only way I know my population is growing is the fact that i'm up to 10 gallons a week now between all the feeders.
Hi Robbie, I cut and pasted my post from 4 moths ago, too lazy to do another one on this visit (2nd time). This LADY is the greatest and all who feed hummingbirds should follow her advice: Hi Robbie, Gary, Your tutorial video was GREAT. Your recipe is
absolutely correct. I have come across people that say use 1 to 1. Not good. I cringe when i see red nectar. If I may ask the area where you call home. I am in So California, Agua Dulce. Been feeding hummingbirds since 1968, 51 years, always using 4 to 1 ratio and after couple months they started coming regularly, I quit using red dye on my own. If I may ask the area where you call home. I am in
So California, Agua Dulce. You yard looks beautiful. Regards, ~~ Karen Calypte P.S. I'll be back Regards, ~~ Karen Calypte P.S. I'll be back
Thanks for all the info!😊
My new word for the day: Pied :-) Love your garden, your water fountains and your hummingbirds...
Why do you put bowls above the feeders? Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Why would anyone put a thumbs down? Pathetic!
to keep the ants out. Ants won't cross a water barrier.
They are called ant moats that can be found on the internet, search bird moat, they should come up. Good luck!
Also she may be suggesting domes to keep the rain from diluting the sugar solution. Google bird domes.
@Big Bubba I see...I do both! Dont see how it hurts!
Hummingbirds are a great stress relief!🙂
Thanks for the informative video, they are wonderful birds, I didn't know simple white sugar and water, thank you. I love your video.
Yes, simple is the best for them, check out my new hummingbird video, it is fun, THANKS, Robbie ua-cam.com/video/VlyrTyboD0E/v-deo.html
Hi Robbie, this is my third second time watching this video. I just love it. You also mentioned zucchini bread. Would you mind sharing you recipe. I am growing zucchini this year and would like to try your cake recipe. Thanks for all of your teaching!
Hopefully soon I can do an update, but here it is, THANKS, Robbie ua-cam.com/video/Qghis6ta2hU/v-deo.html
Thank you!
You are a very smart lady! Thanks for your knowledge.
I love my hummingbirds, they never fail to come every 15 mins or so most of the day. Of course only in the summer here in the Northeastern area (Pennsylvania)..Only problem I’ve ever had is the squirrels literally jumping and hanging upside down like little acrobats trying to get to it lol. We moved it in a better spot and problem solved. Thank for the video!
I can not thank you enough for educating people!!!🦋💕❤️🥰
Thank you so much. Its so fun watching them visiting
Great Video and advice. Thanks for sharing.
Is it ok to put a hummingbird feeder on my window?
Great information Robbie, love hummingbirds!
Thank you! Robbie
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy HOW ABOUT CANE SUGAR? WE HAVE 3 FEEDER'S BUT ONLY ONE DRINK'S OUT OF THEM!
THIS HUMMINGBIRD STAY'S IN OUR PATIO ALL DAY, THE ONLY TIME HE LEAVE'S IS AT NIGHT! HE CHASES ALL THE HUMMINGBIRD'S AWAY😁
I, LOVE TO SEAT HERE BY
THE WINDOW AND WATCH HIM ALL DAY😁
Beautiful beautiful beautiful thank you for sharing your knowledge 🌷
Excellent video with all the right information. I have been feeding Hummers for quite some time with success, using the information you have provided.
Beautiful and lucky southern California but not in Massachusetts. I make fountain waters with the big veggies plastic bowls. Or big cake bowls. Flowers and nectar. But never so many hummingbirds, so I admire your hard work. I noticed you don't have so many flowers for them which are healthier. Thank you for your information. Would be nice to show your garden flowers for them.
Someone from a wildlife sanctuary told me that the feeders should be changed if the birds don't eat it. He said it can cause a fungus and can kill them. HOw often should it be changed. Love your videos.
Daily high temp / Frequency of cleaning/refilling
61-70º 4-5 days
71-80º 3 days
81-85º 2 days
86º+ daily
There isn't any proof the dye hurts them,,,,,BUT that means there isn't any proof that it doesn't either! GREAT INFO!
I Love your humming birds!! Thank you!
Thank you! Robbie
Hi, I'm Lilah, new to your channel and I see hummingbirds behind you waiting for you to move😀thank you for your advice 😊👍.
***Something else very important that I didn’t hear mentioned!***
Feeders MUST be cleaned/changed every 3-4 days or your nectar will spoil(especially In summer) and make the hummers sick or worse, kill them. 😢
So many people put out feeders and forget them...please be responsible! Don’t put out a feeder unless you intend to maintain it because we want to be sure and keep these little sweeties safe! 💜
@Big Bubba I have 2 butterfly bushes 10-12 feet from my feeder. :)
@Big Bubba I'm thinking they may be the same thing. The butterfly and the hummingbirds both love them! One of my bushes has purple plumes and the other is white. They smell soo sweet and heavenly!
Yes feeders need frequent cleaning - amazing how black mold gets built up very quickly in the feeders so make sure you buy / make ones that come apart easily & easy to clean- my 1 feeder has so many tiny parts to it - takes 15 minutes to scrub & clean with tiny brushes- not buying that model again!!