Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!kelly
From: kelly@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Fishhead)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: hummers
Message-ID: <1991Jan6.092101.21029@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
Date: 6 Jan 91 09:21:01 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Lines: 33


I've lost the address of who posted about hummers being found dead after
the freeze, and found an interesting paragraph to quote from the book
"Hummingbird neightbors" put out by the WoodsWorld Hummingbird Society...

"When flowers and insects are meager, as after sever frosts, hummingbirds
may be forced to rely on feeders. The lives of many Anna's [a type of 
hummer,] wintering along the Pacific coast were saved by home feeders
in mid-December 1972 when unusual, prolonged freezing temperatures
killed off plants and insects. The public from central California to 
northern Washington was alerted by informed publicity about the care and
feeding of the downed hummingbirds who appeared dead but were really in 
a state of torpor and could be revived by warming in cupped hands and
immediately feeding them. "

WoodsWorld recommends one part sugar to four parts water for the proper
mixture as recommended by Kenton C. Lint, Curator of Birds and creator of
the walk-through hummingbird exhibit at the San Diego Zoological Garden. Too
much sugar is attractive, but may lead to an enlarged liver, and less
nutrient intake from their normal food sources of flower nectar. Flower  
nectar is about 20-25% sugar. WoodWorld also recommends no preservatives
or color be added to the food. If you are nursing a sick hummer with no 
other food source than what you provide, especiallya young one, a food
suppliment like the one the San Diego Zoo uses (which is copied by WoodsWorld)
is recommended. WoodsWorld sells it under the name "HumPowerFood". Or
better yet, get any downed hummers to a local FIsh and Game center or
Project wildlife if they can't seem to make it on their own.

WoodsWorld's address is(in case you'd like to inquire about their society,):
218 Buena Vista Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062 

Kelly