The Real Dirt: The hummingbird, a gem of the Americas
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2...
Love this:
"Hummers also have an exceptional spatial memory which directs them to return to the same sugar water feeders after migrating thousands of miles each year. According to Terry Masear in her book Fastest Things on Wings, "Migratory hummingbirds can remember to within inches the precise location and height of a sugar feeder they frequented before heading south for the winter." They return to the same feeder on the same day, year after year, and if the feeder is hanging higher or lower than last year, they will initially hover at last year's height."
But:
"Make sugar syrup at home by combining one part white cane sugar to four parts water, and bring to a boil for at least 30 seconds to retard fermentation and mold."
I just fail to see how boiling accomplishes anything. The air we breathe has enough fungal spores in it to colonize anything quickly. As soon as the solution cools, it is open to colonization. I largely think the boiling step is just to make people feel better. I don't boil, but I do change solution and sterilize feeders frequently.
