Birds in Wrightwood

[angelwolf326]

Thanks..  do you know what the orange ones are ROUFOS?

[Janie]

Sometimes.

They are two rufous-colored male hummingbirds, Allen's and Rufous.
Adult male Allen's has a green back and crown and a rufous face, flanks, rump, and tail.
Adult male Rufous has a rufous face and back, flanks, rump, and tail. 

[angelwolf326]

Thank you!

Bird:         Robin
Spotted:   Summer
Food:       ?

[angelwolf326]

Bird:          Swallow
Spotted:    Summer
Food:       

Taken up off Hw2, there are many of these at Grassy Hollow.  VERY HARD TO CAPTURE as these birds fly VERY fast and dive up and down....

[mechanicalpencil]

Making Your Own Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar

You can make your own hummingbird nectar by following this recipe:

Boil 4 parts water.
Mix 1 part ordinary white granulated sugar.
Stir and allow the mixture to cool.
When the nectar is room temperature, fill your clean hummingbird feeder.

You can make your own oriole nectar by following this recipe:

Boil 6 parts water.
Mix 1 part ordinary white granulated sugar.
Stir and allow the mixture to cool.
When the nectar is room temperature, fill your clean oriole feeder.

Tips:

Never use red dyes or food coloring, as they are not healthy for hummingbirds or orioles.
Never use honey when making your nectar mix. Honey attracts bees and can grow black fungus that will cause a fatal liver and tongue disease in hummingbirds.
Replace the nectar once every three to four days and clean the feeder thoroughly.
Unused nectar can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.

[angelwolf326]

If you get ants or bees on the feeder or the string, take a q-tip and put olive oil on it, just don't put it on the place where the birds sit or the hole where they drink from.  This works fabulously!  We get serious bees and ants on our feeders.

[love_walnuts]

Making Your Own Hummingbird and Oriole Nectar

What does an Oriole feeder look like?

[love_walnuts]

If you get ants or bees on the feeder or the string, take a q-tip and put olive oil on it, just don't put it on the place where the birds sit or the hole where they drink from.  This works fabulously!  We get serious bees and ants on our feeders.

I was told once to use vaseline at the string to prevent the ants from crawling and reaching the feeder. Funny thing is, they still got to it by bulding a bridge of bodies over the petroleum jelly. Granted, those that were on the jelly died, but there are so many of them. When I cleaned out the feeders, there were a great number of dead ants still.

[Chesslike]

What does an Oriole feeder look like?

I have seen these at Mtn Hardware:

http://doitbest.com/Bird+Feeders-Woodstream-model-467-3-doitbest-sku-730169.dib

[Stitches]

love_walnuts, have you tried one of these??



For years I avoided putting up a hummingbird feeder because I hate the ants that come with the feeder.   Then I started using these things and no longer have ant problems.   I buy one every year and have not seen ants on my hummingbird feeders in years.   I have problems with bees, even with the bee guard.   Sometimes my poor hummers have to wait until a bee leaves before feeding.

[angelwolf326]

Olive oil is much cheaper...and the ants can't crawl over it.    I usually have up 10 feeders...

[love_walnuts]

Olive oil is much cheaper...and the ants can't crawl over it.    I usually have up 10 feeders...

Does it have to be extra virgin olive oil?
Why not vegetable oil?

[angelwolf326]

i used olive oil cuz that is what i use...  no veg oil...    i thought it would be better for the birds just in case they get some of it...

[mechanicalpencil]

love_walnuts, check out this link for more types of feeders, and  orioles also love grape jelly or orange marmalade... 

but then, so do I 

http://www.birdsforever.com/oriolepdts.html

[angelwolf326]

Bird:          Oriole
Spotted:    Summer
Food:        Feeds on my hummingbird feeders

[angelwolf326]

I saved a Hummingbird yesterday!

I picked him up out of the snow, warmed him in the house in my hands and fed him and he is now happy and free again.....

He was very trusting, did not fight me at all.

Poor things, it warms up so they come back and then they are freezing..... 

[sage]

That is just awesome!!!! Man, you must feel great to be able to help that little bird.  Thanks for caring.

[Nolena]

Cool.

[crew of 9]

love all the pictures and info....


That photo of the Stellar Jay is amazing!

[Up Sheep Creek]

Meant to post this earlier.  Been busy attending Pac 10 and NCAA tournaments.  I use the 4 to 1 ratio that MP posted and food coloring is not necessary and is harmful.  Dirty feeders will kill.  Hummingbird feeders should be taken down during the winter so the birds will migrate on.  Nice pic's everyone...........