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Do I need to clean my bird feeder?

Imagine you're going out to your favorite restaurant. When you first went there the it was brand new and clean. Now you go in and they give you a water glass that's dirty, and when you peek into the kitchen you see the chef cut up a moldy tomato for a salad.

Hopefully you've notice the change in the place before you've actually eaten something to make you sick. You realize they're not maintaining the place and walk out and never come back. Now imagine your regular birds coming to their favorite feeding station and see a filthy feeder. When was the last time you’ve cleaned it? You don't want to make your birds sick.
 
It can be detrimental to the birds if you don’t clean your feeders regularly. In order to keep healthy birds at your feeders, consider the following:

1. Feeders should be cleaned at least once a month, year round. Wild Birds Unlimited - East Lansing - will clean your feeder for $5.00. Or you can purchase professional cleaners like Scoot or Poop-Off at Wild Birds Unlimited, or use a mild one part vinegar to nine parts water solution to clean all of your feeders. Disassemble feeders and immerse them completely for three minutes. Scrub with brushes (we have these too), rinse thoroughly, and let air dry. 
2. Check your feeders after a rain and snow to make sure the seed is dry. If not, replace it.
3. Store seed in a cool dry location. Wild Birds Unlimited has closed steel containers that work well to protect seed from unwanted seed thieves or bad weather. 
4. When choosing a new feeder look for something easy to clean and fill.
.If you keep these measures in mind, you can keep this hobby enjoyable for your family and safe for your birds. Bon appetite!
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How to get hummingbirds to a new feeder

The hummingbirds are always fighting over their feeder, so when I received another hummingbird feeder as a gift I was thrilled! But the birds are still fighting over the old feeder and avoiding the new feeder. ~ East Lansing, MI

Hummingbirds can be very feisty and aggressive when defending their food sources. Multiple feeders, spread throughout your yard is a great way to encourage more hummingbirds to visit and keep the peace in your yard.

But getting them to accept a new feeder can take time. Most birds will continue to hang out at their favorite restaurant even when a new one appears next door. To encourage the use of another feeder first switch the location of the old and new feeders. They may just be in a habit of going to that location. If that doesn’t work take down the old feeder until they use the new feeder, then put up both feeders again.

Hummingbirds find feeders by sight so hang the feeder where they will be able to see it as they fly over your yard. Also a new feeder may be found sooner if hung near a flower garden or hanging flower basket.

Hummingbirds feed from the flowers low on the ground and from high up in the tops of flowering trees or climbing vines. But if there are two feeders close together they will usually go to the feeder that is hanging higher and gives a better view.

Also make sure your nectar is fresh and the correct one part white sugar to four parts water solution. In hot weather you should clean your feeder at least twice a week even if there are no hummingbirds feeding. If a hummingbird comes by to check out your new feeder and finds it filled with spoiled food, they won’t return anytime soon.

In Michigan you can hang hummingbird feeders out from mid-April to the end of October. Migrating birds follow their own schedule, usually based on the weather. And these end of the summer months are the best viewing times as birds start their pre-migratory wandering.

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When to put up hummingbird feeders and other FAQ

Where do hummingbirds spend the winter? When do I put up the feeder? Are they migrating to Michigan soon? What is the best hummingbird food recipe? Should I make it stronger in the spring? How many kinds of hummingbirds nest in Michigan? Where is the best place to put my feeder?~ Lansing

Thank you for your questions! There is a lot of excitement about hummingbirds and I’m always happy for the opportunity help people learn more about spring feeding.

Where do Ruby-throated hummingbirds spend the winters?
Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds winter in southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and the West Indies. A few remain along the Gulf coast and on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

When do I put up the hummingbird feeder?
The days are getting longer and people are anxious for spring and the arrival of certain birds and flowers. If you check out the migration maps at www.hummingbirds.net you’ll see that Ruby-thoated hummingbirds begin to travel north as early as the end of February.

Hummingbirds migrate alone, each to their own internal clock and map. As the weather warms individuals will begin to reach Michigan in mid-April and the final ones will arrive in June. I always say in mid-Michigan you have to pay your taxes and put out your hummingbird feeders by April 15th. The first hummingbirds probably won’t stick around but continue on to nest in the Upper Peninsula or Canada. The hummingbirds that choose to nest in our area (the regulars) usually arrive by Mothers Day, the second Sunday in May.

Do I make the nectar recipe stronger to give them more energy?
It's not necessary to make your sugar solution stronger. The 4:1 ratio is the closest to the favorite flowers that hummingbirds visit. That would be four parts water to one part plain white sugar. Click HERE for the nectar recipe.

How many species of hummingbirds are in Michigan?
Actually five species of hummingbirds have been sighted in Michigan, however most people only see the Ruby-throated Hummingbird. The male and female hummingbirds look different. Ruby-throated male's have ruby-red feathers on the throat, a green back and white belly. The females have an emerald green back and white bellies.

Other hummingbirds seen very, very rarely, in Michigan according to Hummingbirds.net are the Rufous Hummingbird, the Broad-billedHummingbird, the GreenVioletear Hummingbird and the White-eared Hummingbird.

Where is the best place to hang your hummingbird feeder?
  • The number one rule in hanging any feeder is to place it where you can watch the birds comfortably. The whole point in bird feeding is to watch these winged wonders up close. 
  • Since hummingbirds feed by sight, the second rule is to hang the feeder where they will be able to see it as they fly over your yard. A new feeder may be found sooner if hung near a flower garden or hanging flower basket.
  • Place your hummingbird feeders near bushes to provide perching spots and protection from predators.
  • The height of the feeder is less important. Hummingbirds feed from the flowers on the ground and from the tops of flowering trees or climbing vines.
  • Part sun or shade is the best place for nectar feeders. The nectar lasts longer in the shade. Also the nectar in bottle feeders can expand in the sun and start to drip and this will call in bees and ants.
  • Make sure your nectar is fresh and the correct one part white sugar to four parts water solution.
  • In hot weather you should clean your feeder at least twice a week. Just like a restaurant, if a hummingbird comes by to check out your new feeder and finds it filled with spoiled food, they won’t return anytime soon.
In Michigan you can hang hummingbird feeders out from mid-April to the end of October. Migrating birds follow their own schedule usually, based on the weather.

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When should I feed the birds?

I was recently advised that it is not a good idea to feed birds in my backyard from spring to early fall.  Is that the case since I do not want to do the wrong thing by the birds?  I understand this may not be helping them learn to fend for themselves.  Please advise...Thank you, LJ

That's a very good question:
When to feed
Backyard bird feeding is an entertaining and educational pastime that can be enjoyed by children and adults. It provides a needed stress relief and brings families together. There is no designated time to feed the birds. Most people feed year round so they can watch the birds up close.

Currently one third of the U.S. populations feed the birds in their yards. They watch the birds in the winter to brighten the long, dark, dreary days, and then watch the beautiful migratory birds that come in the spring all excited for nesting. Next comes watching the baby birds at the feeders demanding food from parents and finally the large variety of birds that gather after nesting to make the long journey south or to bulk up for winter again.

Spring to early fall is my favorite time to feed birds. You’ll see different birds at your feeders during summer than you do during winter, like hummingbirds and other nectar-eating birds. And many such as orioles, finches and warblers, show off their vibrant spring and summer plumage spreading color throughout your yard.

Gardening for birds
Birds only supplement their diet up to 10 to 20 percent at feeders. Most birds like to forage for food. And most native flowers, bushes, and trees like birds to help pollinate their flowers, eat harmful insects, and disperse their seeds. Landscaping your yard to provide native plant cover and natural foods for birds is a good way to attract birds and provide them with sanctuary.

What to feed
Bird feeders are mainly for your enjoyment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office of Bird Management states: "If you enjoy feeding the birds, there is no reason to stop feeding the birds in the summer. You can do it year round. Feeding the birds in the summer will not make them lazy or too dependant."

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientists state; "Keep the restaurant open year round and offer a variety of seeds and suet."

For birds in Michigan, studies indicate that Black-Oil Sunflower, Sunflower Chips, White Proso Millet, Safflower, and Nyjer® Thistle are among the most preferred seed types. Suet and peanuts are also high energy, high fat foods which are invaluable in the fall when insects are harder to find and birds need many more calories to produce new feathers.

Talk with our Certified Bird Feeding Specialists about the many ways you can enjoy feeding the birds in summer and all year long.

Thanks for the question. I hope this information is useful.
Sarah

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