When
you sign up for
the project you'll have to decide how many feeders to put
in your yard (0 feeders
is also an option).
Each
feeder should permit more than one hummingbird to feed from it
at the same time (i.e. have multiple holes). Hang the feeders
so they are at least 6 feet apart and high enough
so cats can't attack the hummingbirds. Make
sure you can observe
all the feeders at once.
Feeder
maintenance: Clean
your feeders between fillings, at
least once a week, and every other day during
the hot summer months.
To do so, scrub and rinse the feeders
with hot water and mild dish detergent. If mold has
accumulated, soak the feeders in a diluted bleach solution
(10 parts water to one part bleach).
After cleaning, be sure to rinse the feeders repeatedly
and thoroughly.
Sugar
solution: Fill the feeders with 20% sugar water
(4 parts water to one part sugar). For this stage of the project,
please
use white table sugar only (sucrose).
Do not use any commercial hummingbird food. It
is
convenient
to
boil water, than measure the amount and
add it to the sugar. Let the solution cool down, or refrigerate
it before filling the feeders. Food coloring harms the birds.
Do not use it.
Keep
your feeders clean and full to ensure the continuous
chirp
of healthy hummers. Buying
feeders: The
Tucson Hummingbird Project has arranged for special
deals when
you buy feeders.
At Wild
Birds Unlimited, present the
coupon you receive upon registration to receive
a 10% discount
on hummingbird feeders. Participants who buy 6 feeders
will receive a 15% discount.
An additional
5% discount
is available when you purchase Wild Birds Unlimited Brand
feeders.
Participants
in need of special assistance in buying feeders, please contact
us.
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