Spring and baby wild animals/birds

OK everyone, it's spring again. Time to remind some about finding wild babies, animals and birds:


http://www.usma.edu/PublicAffairs/PV/010629/Animals.htm

For the most part unless the critter is in immediate danger or wounded, LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!

Read the above link and take it from there.

Maybe should throw in the annual Hummingbird regimen too. LOL They are sooo cute! LOL

Firstly please use a quart of water to 3/4's cup of granulated sugar. Bring just to a boil and remove from heat to cool. DO NOT ADD FOOD COLORING! Refrigerate. When you hang out the feeder do clean it well in between fillings with soap and water and rinse very thoroughly. Do this every three or four days in cool weather and every other day or so if it's hot. This is the closest recipe to natural nectar in the wild.

Keep in mind that you do not HAVE to keep those feeders full all of the time. It's good for the little terrors to go out and forage for their normal foods in between. They slurp up tiny little insects while they are lapping up the nectar for much needed protein.

For flying pests like wasps, hornets etc. apply vasaline or petroleum jelly around the feeder ports and use "bee guards". For ants, apply it thickly on the twine or wire holding the feeder up.

You can leave those feeders out for another three weeks after you see the last birds. Feeders will NOT keep them from migrating, and that last bit of nectar might save some johnny-come-lately on it's way south who is migrating a bit late.

This is the regimen used by the San Diego Zoo and Wildlife Park. These wonderful people have been able to breed many a delicate species of hummingbird in captivity.

Have fun..I just love spring! LOL LQ

 

Oh Boy! Let's discuss the Hummers! This is a fascinating subject and in constant flux.

MominGa..you brought up an interesting point. Although for the average person who just wants to observe and enjoy these little charmers, the above sugar solutions work just fine...in nature, flower nectars vary tremendously. Hummer's can utilized a solution that is as strong as half and half, water and sugar. But, they won't visit the feeders as often. Of course, that's still a lot of feeding.

Hummers can regulate their body temps like they do at night. Unless it's very cold I don't worry about the perches. I am glad I don't live in a cold place! LOL

The world is changing and it's impacted the survival of the hummingbird quite severely. Not only just the distruction of habitat, but the ever-changing political scene. Zoos and wildlife parks cannot obtain hummers any longer fron areas that used to supply them. And the breeding of species in captivity is in a decline. Most of the hummers these days in the Zoos come from rehabed birds.

Another change that's sweeping the captive hummer world is the production of a ready mix nectar. One that the curators of the hummer exhibits and naturalists are excited about and are using as we "speak" in many control groups of the little birds. And of course, along with the nectar,they raise fruit flies for them.

Spring is such fun!! LQ

 

People "hear" a lot of things Jane. But when the premier wildlife biologists, ornitholigists, students and breeders of Hummers give guidelines it's good to pay attention.

And you don't HAVE" to keep the feeders filled and out all of time as per the above posts. Although it's fun for sure.

Have fun..they surely are a delight..the little devils! LOL I wonder sometimes how we would be talking about them if they were, say, the size of turkey vultures! LOL

LQ