How to help the hummingbirds during Burnaby’s freezing temperatures

Have you been noticing a lot of hummingbird content on the internet in the past few days?

There’s a good reason for it because backyard bird enthusiasts are sharing information about how to keep these tiny birds safe from the extreme cold.

Hummingbirds expend a lot of energy, meaning they also need a lot to eat. Despite their tiny size, they can consume up to half their body weight in sugar every day.

The freezing temperatures mean that hummingbirds’ natural food sources are depleted and more will be flocking to backyard feeders. The Burnaby-based Wildlife Rescue Association has published a helpful guide to ensure hummingbird safety during this cold spell.

First, folks should be paying attention to their feeders. If feeders are not maintained properly, they could potentially be harmful to the tiny birds. The feeders are filled with sugar water (find out the proper measurements here)—but sugar ferments, and when it does it can turn rancid, making it dangerous to the hummingbirds.

The Wildlife Rescue Association says feeders should be cleaned out every at least every week in the winter.

Because of the cold weather, measures should also be taken to prevent feeders from freezing by placing them somewhere where they are protected from wind, snow, or ice. A covered porch or windbreak are ideal locations.

Using window feeders is also helpful because the heat from the inside of your home transfers directly to the feeder, preventing nectar from freezing. The association notes this only works for single-paned windows and for certain temperatures.

Having two feeders makes it easy to have a swap out system and clean each one out in between uses.

You can also get festive with your feeders. Christmas lights (non-LED) make feeders look pretty, but they also can be warm enough to prevent them from freezing.

The Wildlife Rescue Association notes its hospital sees a spike in hummingbirds in critical condition as a result of freezing and starving every winter.

“Some show signs of bacterial and fungal infection caused by dirty feeders. To compound the severity of this situation, these infections are often contagious and can spread quickly from feeder to feeder,” states the organization.

If birds are on the ground, or look weak, confused, have their tongues sticking out, look unstable or are unable to fly, please contact the Wildlife Rescue Support Centre at (604) 526-7275.