Dirty Feeders Can Be Deadly for Hummingbirds

“If you wouldn’t leave your drink sitting out in the sun for three days and then drink it, don’t do it for hummingbirds.”

The issue is straightforward: sugar water left out too long ferments, attracting and cultivating microbes. Some microbes are harmful and can lead to infections, including candida, a yeast that causes yeast infections in both humans and hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds that contract fungal infections may experience tongue swelling, making retraction arduous. This can lead to starvation. infected birds may also exhibit lesions on their beaks or appear generally lethargic, according to Melanie Furr, a licensed wildlife rehabber at Wild Nest Bird Rehab in Georgia.

A study published in 2019 indicated that most microbes found in feeders are not risky to hummingbirds. Don Powers, a professor emeritus at george Fox University, who has studied hummingbirds for decades, suggests that dirty feeders are unlikely to cause population-wide declines.

Though, Furr notes that it is indeed still “fairly common” for individual birds to become sick from contaminated feeders.

“I think it boils down to the fact that most people are not cleaning their feeders or refreshing their nectar as often as they should,” she stated.

Other wildlife rehabbers have also reported that many adult and baby hummingbirds require rescue due to feeder-related infections.Furr explains that antifungal medication can effectively treat the infection, allowing the birds to recover and be released.

The solution is as simple as the problem.

How to Properly Set Up and Clean a Hummingbird Feeder

Maintaining a healthy hummingbird feeder involves two essential steps: using the correct nectar recipe and cleaning the feeder regularly. Both are very simple.

Prepare the nectar by mixing 1 part refined white sugar with 4 parts drinking water (e.g., ¼ cup sugar with 1 cup water). Dissolve the sugar in the water by heating the mixture, then allow it to cool.

• Do not use other types of sugar or sweeteners.
• avoid red food coloring, including store-bought nectar with artificial color.
• Purified water is preferable. Melanie Furr advises against distilled water, as it lacks essential trace minerals for birds.
• Unused nectar can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.

Clean your feeder every two to three days during the spring and fall. In the summer, or during hot weather, clean the feeder daily or every other day, according to Furr.

“If you wouldn’t leave your drink sitting out in the sun for three days and then drink it, don’t do it for hummingbirds,” Furr saeid. “Why should a little, 3-gram hummingbird be expected to survive whatever germs are growing there?”

if you change the nectar every few days, simply clean the feeder with hot water. However, if it has been longer or if you notice mold, scrub the feeder with a mixture of vinegar and water or hydrogen peroxide. Chad witko, specialist in avian biology at the National Audubon Society, recommends ensuring the feeder is completely dry before refilling it to prevent bacterial growth.

“If you’re going to commit to keeping it clean, it’s a great idea,” Furr said of feeders. “Hummingbirds, like birds across every biome, are in decline. Habitat loss and lack of native plants present challenges to them. Having a clean feeder can provide an additional food resource that can be vital.”

Enhance Your Support for Hummingbirds

If you prefer not to clean feeders, or if you want to do more for local hummingbirds, consider planting native hummingbird-kind wildflowers. The National Audubon Society offers a tool to help you select plants that attract hummingbirds in your region.

if you find an injured hummingbird, contact a local wildlife rehabber.This website is a helpful resource to find one.