My Nectar is “lighter in color”
We changed from putting a Red Dye to use Carmine to achieve the red color. Carmine is an all-natural red dye, made of crushed bugs, we did not change the consistency of the nectar, just the red color. Our Nectar is the only Nectar on the market that uses actual cane sugar and carmine for color. Cane sugar is what is closest to what the birds get from flowers and Carmine is a coloring that does not harm the birds.
What does "bee and wasp proof" mean?
The sugars used in all prepared or homemade nectar are attractive to bees and wasps as well as hummingbirds. First Nature feeders are bee and wasp proof to the extent that their design prevents bees and wasps from entering the ports and getting inside of the feeders. All sugar-based liquids will attract bees and wasps and hummingbirds are used to competing at feeders – and at natural flowers – for nectar.
Where are First Nature Products Made?
First Nature products are made 100% in the USA.
How can I eliminate a bothersome group of wasps around a hummingbird feeder?
To help eliminate a bothersome group of wasps around a hummingbird feeder, try these tips:
-Capture wasps. Set up a wasp trap, which will focus their attention away from the feeder.
-Keep things clean. Limit wasp, hornet and yellow jacket attractants. …
-Relocate feeders. … can remove feeder for a few days and then hang it up again in a slightly different location.
-Limit opportunities, by keeping feeders clean & limit leaks
–Do not spray insecticide on hummingbird feeder
I have one hummingbird that chases all of the other birds away. Why is it doing that?
The bird that is chasing the others away is a male. They are very territorial and will guard the feeder from the other birds. You can hang at least 3 feeders about 3-4 feet apart in order to create more feeder ports and allow other hummingbirds to come.
I moved my feeder from where I had it last year and I don't have near as many birds. Why is that?
The hummingbirds have a great “GPS” system and it has been documented that many birds return each year to the same place they were feeding the past year. Try hanging your feeder where it was or hanging orange or pink ribbon near your feeder to attract more hummingbirds.
Do hummingbirds hibernate or migrate?
They do not hibernate, but instead go through a metabolic change called “torpor”. When the nights get colder, their body temperature can drop significantly and thus slow down their heart and breathing rate, thus burning much less energy overnight. As the day heats back up, the hummingbirds body temperature will come back up and they will get back to their normal activity. They store up fats from the nectars and insects to prepare them for their migration south during the winter months. The nectars they drink during the warmer months allow them to build up their muscles in their wings to make the long flights.
Do hummingbirds nest in a bird house?
A No, hummingbirds will not build a nest inside of a bird house or construction. They actually build their small nests on the crook of a branch or on the limb. They may use spiderwebs to construct their nest with due to the sticky nature of the material. The birds may also eat the small spiders under the eaves of your house. Typically the birds will not be able to re-use the nest from one season to the next due to the fragility of the materials that the nest is constructed from. They may, however, use the same tree to nest in each season. It has also been found that female hummingbirds may use the same nest to hatch their young in during the same season.
When hummingbirds migrate, do they hitch rides on the backs of geese?
This is not true due to the fact that the geese fly very high (20,000 feet or higher) and the hummingbirds fly very low to the ground. The hummers probably wouldn’t function very well at such high altitudes. Also, the geese tend to stop their southward migration in the Carolinas, not nearly far enough south for the hummingbirds.
When should I take my feeder down or stop feeding the hummingbirds?
By leaving a hummingbird feeder up, you will not discourage the migration pattern of the birds. The hummingbird migration is stimulated by the length of time of the days. As the days become shorter they start putting on more fat for the migration south. If you do have birds that stick around during the Fall or Winter, these birds may not have been healthy enough to make the migration south and you will be providing them a source of food. Change your nectar regularly (once to twice per week) to keep it fresh for the birds.
How does the hummingbird get the nectar out of the feeder?
The hummingbirds have a long tongue that laps up liquids like a dog or cat would, just at a much faster rate.
When should I start feeding the hummingbirds in the Spring?
Depending on the weather in your area, the hummingbirds should start showing up in the Southern U.S. around late February or early March. They should reach the middle U.S. by early April and the Northern U.S. by late April or early May.
What kind of habitat or plants can I plant in my backyard to draw in more hummingbirds?
Plant native hummingbird flowers, flowering shrubs and trees, as well as a hummingbird feeder will draw and keep hummingbirds in your backyard. To attract more birds initially, try tying pink or orange surveyor ribbon in a few places to draw the birds to it. Remember to change your nectar frequently (once or twice per week) to keep it fresh.
What kind of plants should I plant?
The Trumpet Creeper vine, Honeysuckle, or other flowers similar in nature will attract hummingbirds to your yard.
Does the #40 red dye (food coloring) have an adverse affect on the hummingbirds? Will it hurt them or not?
There is no scientific evidence that red food coloring (#40 red dye) harms the hummingbirds. Most feeders made today have enough red made into them that the red dye in the nectar is not necessary to draw the birds in. Also, once the hummingbirds have found the feeder, and if the nectar is replaced regularly, they will keep coming back to it whether or not the nectar is red, clear, or another color.
I have orioles coming to my hummingbird feeder. Is this normal?
Orioles feed very similar to hummingbirds. They also eat a sugar-water concentrate, but they do not need quite as concentrated of a sugar mix as hummingbirds do. There are oriole feeders commercially available, as well as oriole nectar to feed the birds.
I've seen hummingbirds hovering around the eaves of my house. What are they doing?
In the spring, the female hummingbirds will gather spider webs and soft plant parts to build her small nest. This is probably a female hummer collecting spiderwebs, eating small spiders, and getting her nest ready to lay her eggs.
We've had a hummingbird get inside the house and couldn't get out. It finally got so tired that it fell to the ground. What should we do?
Gently pick the bird up in your hand and get it some water or sugar water to drink. Just gently stick it’s beak near the nectar to allow it to get small drinks. Take the bird outside and release it safely. It should get its energy back quickly and take flight.
What are some of the different types of hummingbirds we will see in the U.S. and where will we find them?
There are sixteen species of hummingbirds in the U.S. Some of these are quite rare, occurring only in deep S. Texas, S. Arizona or Florida. The most commonly seen U.S. hummingbirds and their general areas of distribution are:
- Allen’s: Coastal California
- Anna’s: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas
- Black-Chinned: Western U.S. generally west of Texas to Wyoming
- Blue-Throated: Southwestern Arizona
- Broad-Billed: S.W. Texas, S.W. New Mexico and S.E. Arizona
- Broad-Tailed: Parts of the Rocky Mountain regions, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado and mountains of Central California
- Buff-Bellied: Rio Grande valley of South Texas
- Calliope: Montana, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, E. California
- Costa’s: S. California, S.W. Arizona, S. New Mexico, W. Texas
- Ruby-Throated: E. United States from Central Texas to N. Dakota
- Rufous: N.W. United States to coastal regions of S. Alaska
- Violet-Crowned: S. California and West Texas
- White-Eared: S. Arizona and West Texas
How and where should I store the feeders?
Feeders should be stored in a dry, clean place. At room temperature and not in direct sunlight to preserve color and durability of the plastic.
How and where should I store the nectar?
Nectars should be stored out of direct sunlight, in a dark and dry area. Once opened, they should be kept in the refrigerator.
What is the nectar shelf life?
Once opened, 4 weeks maximum in the fridge. Better to mix small batches and use it as you make it to keep what you give the birds as fresh as possible. Can store un-opened for some time, as long as it is in a dry / dark area / temperature controlled area.
Where is a proper place to hang the feeders?
As much shade as possible and out of direct sunlight. This helps to preserve the nectar and is better for the color and durability of the plastic on the feeder overall.
How should I clean the feeders?
A mild dish soap and water. Do not use hot water.
My feeder is leaking, what should I do?
Leaking from feeder base holes is typically from wind and motion. Move feeder to a less direct windy area.
If it is leaking from the threads, please hand tighten the base to the bottle.
How can I order parts?
You can order a replacement parts by contacting customer service at (479) 621-4333.
When should I be replacing the nectar from the feeder?
We recommend that you change the nectar and wash the feeder out with warm soapy water at least once a week. If you live in a hot climate you may want to change it about every 4 days.
Some people like to change their nectar out weekly and some let it go until it is empty. We recommend that you change your nectar and wash your feeder with warm soapy water on a weekly basis. Personally, I only put enough in mine for about a week, so as not to waste too much and change it weekly to keep it fresh.
What type of plastic is being used?
Our plastic hummingbird containers are made from PET plastic. This product is a food grade container that is designed to not break down in hot weather. Below is a statement from the National Association for PET Container Resources describing this type of plastic.
“PET is the type of plastic labeled with the #1 code on or near the bottom of bottles and containers and is commonly used to package soft drinks, water, juice, peanut butter, salad dressings and oil, cosmetics and household cleaners.
PET is a popular package for food and non-food products. Manufacturers use PET plastic to package products because of its strength, thermo-stability and transparency. Customers choose PET because it is inexpensive, lightweight, reseal able, shatter-resistant and recyclable.”