Temperature affects the clarity of hummingbird feeder solutions
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Abstract
Books, magazine articles and the internet suggest that
hummingbird feeder solution should be changed frequently to avoid the
buildup of bacteria, mold, and fungi. This microbial buildup results in
decreased clarity. However, experimental studies on rate at which the clarity declines have not been published. In addition, the microbes that grow in the solution have not been identiβied and it is unknown if bacteria present in the hummingbird feeder solution may be toxic to hummingbirds. We hypothesized that hummingbird feeder solution clarity is dependent upon sucrose concentration, light intensity, and growing degree days. To test our hypothesis, we measured the clarity of sucrose solution in 12 hummingbird feeders during 30 June - 6 October 2010 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We determined that growing degree days and light intensity had a signiβicant effect on clarity on the sucrose solution, whereas sugar concentration did not have a signiβicant effect. We found that the clarity of the solution declined after 97 growing degree days in full sun and 178 growing degree days in full shade. We found that yeast in the order Sacchromycetales and the bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens grew in the hummingbird feeder solution. Neither the yeast nor the bacterium are thought to be toxic to hummingbirds. We concluded that hummingbird feeders should be changed every four to six days during summer, and every 10-18 days during spring and fall.
hummingbird feeder solution should be changed frequently to avoid the
buildup of bacteria, mold, and fungi. This microbial buildup results in
decreased clarity. However, experimental studies on rate at which the clarity declines have not been published. In addition, the microbes that grow in the solution have not been identiβied and it is unknown if bacteria present in the hummingbird feeder solution may be toxic to hummingbirds. We hypothesized that hummingbird feeder solution clarity is dependent upon sucrose concentration, light intensity, and growing degree days. To test our hypothesis, we measured the clarity of sucrose solution in 12 hummingbird feeders during 30 June - 6 October 2010 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We determined that growing degree days and light intensity had a signiβicant effect on clarity on the sucrose solution, whereas sugar concentration did not have a signiβicant effect. We found that the clarity of the solution declined after 97 growing degree days in full sun and 178 growing degree days in full shade. We found that yeast in the order Sacchromycetales and the bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens grew in the hummingbird feeder solution. Neither the yeast nor the bacterium are thought to be toxic to hummingbirds. We concluded that hummingbird feeders should be changed every four to six days during summer, and every 10-18 days during spring and fall.
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