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From: kelly@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Fishhead)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: starving hummingbirds
Message-ID: <1991Jan10.214939.8061@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
Date: 10 Jan 91 21:49:39 GMT
References: <1991Jan8.192604.7338@morrow.stanford.edu> <1991Jan10.134147.21470@NPIRS.Purdue.EDU>
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Lines: 21


Well there is definite evidence to support the contention that hummingbirds'
livers may be enlarged and damaged through handling too much sugar. Also
evidence that honey water or any syrup is dangerous because it can carry
a tongue fungus disease which is fatal to hummingbirds. Red food dye tends
to have preservatives in it, and that is not recommended for hummers. Most
feeders have red flowers or are colored red completely (like rubbermaids,)
and hummers have very sharp eyesight. If you are worried they will not see
it, you could put it by their normal flower source, wrap a red ribbon 
around it or put red flowers on it or something. The hummers may just be
ignoring the feeder because they prefer the fresh flowers.

As for finding a dead bird on or arond yoru feeder to prove to you that
the hummers are dying from 'whatever', well, that isn't very good evidence
for anything. Most hummers are constantly moving around and rarely use one
feeder for more than half a season (although its been said some do come back
year after year to the same area after migration, but again, only end up
using the feeder for about half the season if that long at all.) If anyone
knows about any studies with coloring and hummer health, type away...

Kelly