Saturday, September 13, 2008

DIY Nectar Bird Feeder for Sunbirds.

IT WORKS AGAIN!!!

This is the latest we have worked on our Malaysian Sunbird. Besides the earlier DIY nectar feeder, we went one step further. Just to see if our Sunbirds hovers like Hummingbirds.

So we made another nectar feeder but this time, we placed the flower sideways and without a standing-bar for the bird to sit and feed.

Yes our resident Olive-backed Sunbirds also feed this way. Although it do not do the unique Hummers' "Zippidy-Doo-Dah" actions, they hovers for a very short while but it was lovely seeing them feed this way.

Placing the camera very close and on 'camo-blinds' it was only 22 ins. away. We took shots via the remote controller. We took both stills and video. It came out excellent.

This is how we did our side-nectar feeder. We used a small (gladly recycled) mineral water bottle. Drilled a hole large enough to put in a drinking straw. We use a hot-glue gun to fix it up.
We then secure the artificial flower on to the straw.
Positioned it at an angle.
From the top, it look like this (on the inside).
Ta Dah! A side positioned Nectar Bird Feeder! FOC!

May I suggest that all of us Wild bird lovers do the same here and also in Thailand, Indonesia, Borneo and the Philippines since nectar feeders are not available for sale in these countries. It is a joy to watch them feed everyday. We top up the nectar every 3 days.

Just watch this newly shot Video which I have placed at You Tube.


28 comments:

MANGO Thai Desserts & More said...

Hi this has helped- thanks for the 'how-to' in making the nectar feeder. We have a sunbird's nest hanging outside our balcony and we saw it had fallen on the ground last night. We checked the nest and there was a chick inside ( still alive, phew!) . Decided to put it back on top of a box, and would figure out how to feed it if the parents didn't come back to feed it. Fortunately, the parents were back this morning, feeding it from the floor of our balcony! Any tips? Should we let it be or hang the next back for them when they're not around?

Birds Talking Too said...

Thanks for your visit and sorry for the late reply.
It is better to try to place back the nest to the original place. This is because if there are other predators around.
Glad to hear that the parents are feeding it.
Should they abandon the chick, you can try to take over by feeding it with insects and worms/catepillars etc.
All the best.

Cheers and regards
Birds Talking.

rajlesta said...

this is wonderful piece of technique

hew said...

hi donald,
this is a great idea!!
what is the "nectar mixture"? are you using honey n water?

how often are the birds using them?
i have seen these sunbirds on heliconias, n yes, i have seen some hovering, but mostly, they land n drink.

it would be useful to whether a feeder w a stand works better than the hover feeder..
thanks
hew

rajlesta said...

just worry that this nectar feeder will attract other predators and caused problem to the chicks..last time around one of the chick was attacked by a "predator" i dont know how it was happened but saw the chick's throat was bitten.. uhh sad..it died after few mins.. after tht im really careful..always keep an eye

YC said...

Hi Donald, could I make a post of your sunbird feeder in BESG blog using a few of your images? Agreed that the feeder should be popularised in Asian countries. Thanks.

Alon Friedman said...

HELLO
I am happy to see other pages similar to mine
Nice work
Keep it that way
Alon
Israel
http://sunbirds-alon.blogspot.com/

Alon Friedman said...

HELLO
I am happy to see other pages similar to mine
Nice work
Keep it that way
Alon
Israel
http://sunbirds-alon.blogspot.com/

Birds Talking Too said...

Dear Alon,
Thanks for dropping by. Visited your site. It is a nice site unfortunately, I do not understand a word. So sorry.
Do you have hummers in Israel?
Cheers and Regards

Alon Friedman said...

Hello again
great work
your pictures and video are wonderful.
keep on the good work
I also feed sunbirds.

here is something I have made.
At last: with english instructions
we both made it for sunbirds.

http://build-hummingbirds-feeder.blogspot.com/

Can I post a link to your blog?

Birds Talking Too said...

Dear Alon,
Many thanks for your visit and comments again. Yes, please do link us to your blog because we all share a common interest in loving those little creature which are nature's gift.

All the best and regards
Donald G. H Tan
Malaysia

Ilias Ibrahim said...

thank you so much for the simplest way to make your own hummingbird feeders,Mr.Donald.I made one myself,and it works too.

Ilias Ibrahim
Kuching,Sarawak
Malaysia.

Birds Talking Too said...

Dear Ilias,
Congratulations!
So glad you have made one and some lucky birds found you.
At least we are all so happy that it works and the birds are happy.
Also wish you can spread this around so that many others can share and help to feed da birds.

Cheers and regards
Donald.

Salt-Light said...

Thank you so much for your information.

I made one and it works really fine. Now there's 3 sunbirds that visit my balconey daily. Just great!

If the opening where the flower is at is sealed well, and the cap tight, you can fill up the bottle and the water will not spill out.

Thanks.
Teck Meng from Singapore

Birds Talking Too said...

Dear Teck Meng,
Thanks for dropping by.
Glad now that the Sunbirds are being fed in so many places. As of today, we are pleased to inform everyone that we have four Sunbird nests around our homes. We also recorded the increase of visits and a count of eight birds at any one time. Would you believe that the Sunbirds 'asked' us to refill the feeders? They would come right to the window where I sit with my computer and chirps crazily! Ha!Ha!
Rgds.

Anonymous said...

hello what is the liquid that u use to feed the sunbirds? do u need to change them daily? Tks to advice

Donald G.H Tan said...

Dear anon,
Just use 300ml of filtered tap water and 60gms of plain sugar. Do not use honey. The 300ml of syrup can be used 3 times per feed. We keep the balance in the fridge.
Regards

blobbes said...

Hi this is a great website. I have a sunbird nest outside my window right now so I'm going to set up a feeder just like yours. My question is, if I set one up near the nest, will it attract other birds (sunbird or otherwise) and will these birds harass or otherwise disturb the mother bird/nest/eggs/hatchlings?

Birds Talking Too said...

Dear blobbes,
thanks for dropping by and glad you find these tips useful. The feeder need not be near the nest and you are right too, that it may disturb the babies. Place it near flowering plants and away from too much activities/movements. As I do not know which country you are from, over here, it is mainly sunbirds and our feeder has attracted 2 types of sunbirds. The Olive-backed and the Brown-throated(BT). Here in Klang, I am praying for a visit by a Crimson or a Scarlet. The BT is a new comer.
All the best.

blobbes said...

Oh I'm from Singapore so yes mine is an olive-backed sunbird too. The nest is, would you believe it, outside my apartment which is on the 22nd floor. I have a camera on it right now (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/10296736) so I was hoping to also put the feeder within the line of sight of the camera but I guess that's not such a good idea. Will think about how else to position it. Thank you for your help!

Birds Talking Too said...

Hi again blobbes,
Such lovely sight seeing a mummy doing her duty. I can see her blinking her eyes! How is she today? Do not feel bad if you can't put up a feeder because I believe she has her 'drinking supply' nearby. They usually plan their route carefully. Because of my pesky neighbours cats, ours build their nest away from our home.
Regards

blobbes said...

She has been nesting ever since. No sign of babies yet - it's amazing how patient she is. The male pops by about once or twice a day, just to say hello. See if you can spot him!

Birds Talking Too said...

HaHa! blobbes, she is indeed a hard worker. Just yesterday, our girl too was zipping in and out collecting nesting materials for her new nest outside of our house. We have placed a hanging flower pot filled-up with our Shih Tzu dog's hair (after daily brushings). As smart as animals are (bless them) our sunbirds have been collecting them for a more comfortable nest. I can see six of them near the nest this few days. I will be watching your girl too. regards

Anonymous said...

Hi I am from Queensland Australia. Last few weeks I noticed two sunbirds building a nest outside my kitchen window of my clothesline. Later on I heard little squeaks coming from the nest and two babies were in there. It is very rainy and stormy weather here at the moment and one night the wind blew the nest off the line. Babies were ok but I pegged the nest back and the parents came back shortly after.
Came home today from work and there were two round holes (other than the entry point of nest) in the nest. Both babies were nit in the nest until i found one dead close by and another one under my entertainment table.
This is where it gets tricky. I warpped the chic up in a towel and waited for the parents, the mother arrived but still couldt find the baby. I left to work an d came home to find ants all through the towel the chic was in and no mother, who usually sits on here babies at night.
Wrapped the baby in a pillowcase and is now sleeping peacefully next to my bed.
Questions:
How many times a day do I feed it?
Can I give it honey?
What do I feed it for best results?
Is there anything I need to know?
I realize I have now taken it and removed it from it's nest but this is the only option I had to keep peace of mind. I'm only 24 and have a full time job but I am committed I just need to be told what to do. Help.

Birds Talking Too said...

Dear Anon,
You're such a kind person to help the chicks. I myself have gone thru this but must admit that I have not succeeded in handling them. Sunbirds are the craziest nest builders and many built nests have failed when the unexpected happens.
Do try to Google for help especially for your zone. No we do not have a bird park nor vets, willing to help especially birds.
Other bloggers can help out here?
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

hi sir, I am so pleased to see this thing. It is very interesting and I have been trying to make a feeder by myself too. But it does not seem to work properly. I love hummingbirds so much and wonder if you could help me. I a form 6 student, currently studying at Klang also. Can you care to guide me on where i could purchase a hummingbird feeder in our local market ?? I really need you to help me !!

Anonymous said...

Hi sir, I am so pleased to see this thing. It is very interesting and I wonder if you could help ?? I love hummingbirds so much and I really wanna feed them. I spend time making a feeder using recycled materials but unfortunately it spoiled. So, can you suggest me any places where I could purchase the hummingbird feeder locally. I am really looking forward for a favorable reply from you. Please help, I am a form 6 student from Klang and please guide me on to attract this Hummers to come to my house !!

Donald G.H Tan said...

Dear Siva Selan,
Many thanks for dropping by and your interest in feeding sunbirds here in Klang.
I am keen to be of assistance because a new family of sunbirds would be fed as a result. Please read all of my other postings ( many with pictures) at this blogsite. Just key in the word such as sunbird, feeder, etc on the search (blog) and you would see more. Failing which you could email me at xdonaldghtanx@gmail.comx (please remove all the 'x' before sending email to me. This is mainly due to anti-spamming bots) Thank you and Regards
Donald G.H. Tan
Birds Talking Too
Klang, Malaysia