Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!decwrl!ucbvax!ucdavis!csusac!unify!magpie!grp From: grp@unify.uucp (Greg Pasquariello) Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Re: HUMMINGBIRD WARNING Message-ID: Date: 4 Aug 90 19:40:44 GMT References: <32320003@hprmokg.HP.COM> Sender: root@Unify.Com (0000-Admin(0000)) Reply-To: grp@unify.com Organization: Unify Corporation, Sacramento, California Lines: 24 In-Reply-To: jackiec@hprmokg.HP.COM's message of 31 Jul 90 14:36:53 GMT In article <32320003@hprmokg.HP.COM> jackiec@hprmokg.HP.COM (Jackie Christopherson) writes: > After reading some of the postings about Hummingbirds, I feel > compelled to enter this warning. > > I think it's super that so many people want to feed the little > darlins, but a year or so ago, a friend showed me an article > about how and when to feed. (I too, get great enjoyment out of > watching them at my feeder.) > > The article stated that if you feed these birds "sugar water", > you are giving them something that will *soften* their bills... > this ovbiously could be disasterious in the long run. I now get > the feed mixture at my local pet store. I read the article in > some authoritative magazine. Will continue to look for it. > > JC I don't see any major difference between sugar water and nectar. I have heard though, that keeping the sugar water mixture around too long (i.e. not keeping it fresh), promotes the growth of a fungus that attacks the bird's tongue. -- -Greg Pasquariello grp@unify.com