Photos: Anna's Hummingbird

Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Jerry Pickard in Lake Forest Park.

Jerry Pickard took these photos of Anna's Hummingbirds on his front porch in Lake Forest Park November 9, 2011. He advises:

"Anna's over winter here in the Seattle area and if you are into feeding the birds keep the feeders out year round to provide a food source when all the flowers are gone. You can make your own nectar by mixing one part sugar to four parts water. No food coloring is needed to attract them. NEVER use Honey as it will destroy their liver and kill them."

Anna's Hummingbird. Photo by Jerry Pickard in Lake Forest Park.

Christine Southwick concurs and adds:

"There is a study looking into whether red food coloring causes tumors in hummingbirds. Since the red on ALL hummingbird feeders is enough to attract them to the feeders, why add something that may (or may not) hurt them. I tend to err on the side of safety.

"Might add that in times of freezing weather, a hand-warming pack can be taped to the bottom to keep the feeder from freezing. Non-LED christmas lights wrapped around it will also work. Taking the feeder in at night will make it liquid in the morning, but then you have to remember to take it outside, early, early. And if it is below 28 degrees F during the day, it will freeze unless kept warmer."

See Christine's previous article on Anna's Hummingbird