Should a temporary resident feed a nesting hummingbird?

January 20, 2015 6:20 PM

There's a hummingbird nesting in a tree by my door in San Diego. Is it a bad idea to set up a feeder when I'm only here for 10 weeks?

I was so excited to see a hummingbird nesting in a tree outside my door. I would really like to set up a feeder, but I'm in a vacation rental, and will be gone in 10 weeks. I've read that it's a bad idea to feed birds (or any animals) if you're not going to be able to maintain the feeder.

I think it's an Anna's hummingbird, and I think the tree is a camellia japonica. I have no idea how long the nest has been there. I'd be fine leaving the feeder if I got one, but it's hard to imagine the next residents (most are here a few days only) keeping it filled, even if the management company let me leave some food.

I'm from Michigan, so a nesting hummingbird is really a thrill! In January, no less! So can I feed her?

posted by still_wears_a_hat to Science & Nature (14 answers total)

I think it's best to let it get what it needs from nearby flowers.
posted by brujita at 6:25 PM on January 20, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: It's fine to feed it on a temporary basis, especially where you are, as a number of species are year-rounders there (Anna's are permanent residents here in the Bay Area). When you leave, it will go find something else to eat. They are really, really good at this.
posted by rtha at 6:31 PM on January 20, 2015 [7 favorites]

Best answer: So you'll be gone by early March? That really shouldn't be a big deal. The main thing with hummingbird feeders is that they might trick hummingbirds into not migrating (either south in winter or north in spring). That's actually pretty good timing to stop feeding, and as rtha says if it's a resident it will find plenty blooming in San Diego then. On a scale of environmental destruction from peeing in the ocean to Chernobyl, I rate this three cigarette butts missing the can.
posted by one_bean at 6:36 PM on January 20, 2015 [4 favorites]

Best answer: If it's a bad idea to supply the hummingbird with food it would almost seem like it would be bad to plant a huge field of flowers that would only bloom temporarily.
I think a hummingbird would have to be very flexible with it's food choices and it would be fine to feed him.
posted by beccaj at 6:46 PM on January 20, 2015

Best answer: Hummingbirds are hobos, and highly territorial ones at that. Their mission in life is being able to find something more convenient if your sugar fountain is empty or it's being dominated by another bird or birds.
posted by rhizome at 6:51 PM on January 20, 2015 [1 favorite]

It's a myth that feeders delay migration. Many California hummers are residents - they'll find other food sources once you leave. Feed away, guilt free! And enjoy the little guys.
posted by umwhat at 6:57 PM on January 20, 2015 [8 favorites]

You could consider leaving the feeder, and a supply of sugar, and instructions on when and how to fill the feeder. Also, maybe, check with the landlord first.
posted by amtho at 7:36 PM on January 20, 2015

Best answer: It's fine. They'll find other sources when you're gone.

Just be careful to keep the cleaner clean - take it down, scrub and refill not less than once a week, even if it's not empty yet. Mold growing in there can kill them. I have a dedicated toothbrush I keep for the scrubbing, and then I run the feeders through the dishwasher. Don't use the purchased red stuff, make your own with 4:1 water:sugar.

Enjoy, they're so cute and buzzy.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:59 PM on January 20, 2015 [8 favorites]

Before you do this, figure out if it's bee season. I have a family member who keeps hummingbird feeders but takes them down when the bees come. The bees will be attracted too and that's a problem a) Because bees are annoying and b) You want the bees to pollinate flowers. I guess maybe hummingbirds pollinate too, but not as much as bees.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 11:50 PM on January 20, 2015

Best answer: In the long run, you're an insignificant part of the life cycle of the local hummingbird population, whether you put out a feeder or not. Enjoy those crazy little buggers as you wish.
posted by humboldt32 at 3:40 AM on January 21, 2015

It's never not bee season in southern coastal urban California! Things are always blooming - it's winter/rainy season now, so lots of native plants are doing so - but so are a lot of non-natives. Native and non-native bees are active all year.
posted by rtha at 4:59 AM on January 21, 2015

If you have a high quality feeder and wipe down any spills before you put it up you should not have bees coming to it. I live in bee central and never have them. One time we did get ants but I hadn't wiped it down.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:34 AM on January 21, 2015

Best answer: From the Audobon Society link that umwhat provided:

Q: Won’t it make my hummingbirds stay too late if I continue to leave the feeder out for them?

A: No, hummingbirds are migratory species and are genetically programmed to head south in the fall. It’s not a lack of nectar source or colder weather that makes them leave—they know it’s time based on changes in the length of the day and the angle of the sun.

I used to work at a wild bird specialty store and this was a constant question. Millions of years of evolution aren't going to be reprogrammed by a bit of sugar water. Someone somewhere got the idea and just it won't die.

Ants are easy to take care of if you get a feeder with a built-in moat. You can also buy a moat separately. The old vaseline on the hanger trick is probably fine, too but it can cause trouble if it gets into the bird's feathers.

Bees are discouraged if you use a tray-style feeder rather than a gravity feeder, but honestly aren't that big a deal. Plus with a lot of tray feeders you can see the birds' tongues in action. It's insane.
posted by the christopher hundreds at 8:19 AM on January 21, 2015

Best answer: Just one caution, I wouldn't put up the feeder extremely close to the nest. Increased traffic from other birds might disturb the mother. Hummingbirds are very territorial. New birds feeding in the area might even drive the mother away. Make sure the feeder is some distance off. She will find it even if it's not in her immediate space.
posted by WalkerWestridge at 8:17 PM on January 21, 2015