A smart hummingbird feeder is likely the best way to get up-close views of hummingbirds.
These feeders, which pair hummingbird nectar feeding ports with a high-definition camera equipped with motion activation and an intuitive app, make it easy to get stunning imagery of hummingbirds up close and, in the process, learn more about their behavior.
But hummingbirds can be highly selective about where they feed, and hummingbird feeders require more maintenance than regular bird feeders in order to prevent the build-up of mold and dirt. Cleaning a smart hummingbird feeder isn’t quite the same as cleaning a traditional one. Here’s a step-by-step guide to cleaning your smart hummingbird feeder the right way.
Why Thorough Hummingbird Feeder Cleaning Is Important
Hummingbirds feed on nectar, which can easily be made at home by melting 1 part sugar into 4 parts water and letting it cool. While high in calories and cheap to make, nectar is a breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and fermentation, particularly when it’s warm outside.
Hummingbird nectar that gets moldy can make hummingbirds sick and even lead to death. Mold and fungi in nectar can cause candidiasis, which can infect a hummingbird’s tongue, causing swelling and preventing them from feeding, which can lead to starvation. Moldy nectar can also lead to aspergillosis, a common fungal infection that can affect the birds’ gastrointestinal tract.
How to Know If Your Nectar Is Spoiled
Even though it’s just sugar and water, hummingbird nectar will spoil, and depending on how warm it is outside, spoilage might happen sooner than you think.
Hummingbird nectar can be considered spoiled when it turns cloudy or milky, has dark spots, has a sour smell, has visible mold or fungus, or has floating insects in it. Alternatively, if hummingbirds visit your feeder regularly for several days then vanish, that could be a sign that the nectar has spoiled even if none of the other indicators are present.
How to Clean Your Hummingbird Feeder
While mold and fungus can plague hummingbird feeders, the FeatherSnap Smart Hummingbird Feeder was built to make cleaning easy.
What you’ll need to clean your hummingbird feeder:
- Mild dish soap or white vinegar
- Sponge or soft brush
- Bottle brush
- Warm water
- Microfiber cloth
- Clean towel or drying rack
- 10:1 water-to-bleach solution for periodic deep sanitizing
Hummingbird feeder cleaning steps:
- Remove the feeder from wherever it is mounted.
- Remove the camera from the unit by pulling it gently out. Gently wipe the front of the camera with a microfiber cloth and wipe the camera carrier with a damp cloth.
- Remove the nectar reservoir and the drinking tray. Wash these with mild soap, warm water, and a sponge or soft brush. Alternatively, both can be put in the dishwasher.
- Wipe the solar roof with a damp cloth.
- Use pipe cleaners to clean the flower ports.
- Let everything dry thoroughly.
- Reassemble everything and refill the reservoir.
- Periodically, feeders should be sanitized with the 10% bleach solution described above. To do this, wash the components above with soap, then dry. Once dry, spray the feeder components with the bleach solution, then let it dry again. Note that while a vinegar solution can be used, the feeder won’t be sanitized in the same way.
Remember–a clean smart hummingbird feeder isn’t just about keeping the feeder looking good. The hummingbirds visiting your feeder rely on clean nectar to maintain good health–and keep coming back for more.