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bamabluebird · Thursday 17th August 2006, 18:23

We saw some of our house finches drinking from the hummingbird feeder. Is that normal? Do we need to supply them with their own? I've never heard of or seen this before.

Nick Elliston · Friday 18th August 2006, 11:44

I have seen and am aware of a number of different bird species taking some nectar even though it does not form part of their normal diet. Taken in quantity I doubt it would do them a lot of good, but small amounts are probably are a good tonic. I wouldn't put out nectar specifically for them though.

**KCFoggin** · Friday 18th August 2006, 12:16

They try darn hard to get whatever they can out of my feeders as well

jazzmaster221 · Monday 21st August 2006, 06:03

i saw this one drinking today from my hummer's feeder

bamabluebird · Monday 21st August 2006, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzmaster221

i saw this one drinking today from my hummer's feeder

is that actually a house finch? the beak looks different to me. well, it doesn't look like any of the finches i have around here anyway.

i did a little reading and found out that they do like the nector and they've been hitting my hummingbird feeder pretty regular but they only started doing this in the last week or so. are they starting to store up energy to migrate or something? why would they just all of the sudden start drinking hummingbird nector when they haven't been doing this for months?

Curtis Croulet · Monday 21st August 2006, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamabluebird

is that actually a house finch? the beak looks different to me. well, it doesn't look like any of the finches i have around here anyway.

It's a Hooded Oriole.

jazzmaster221 · Tuesday 22nd August 2006, 01:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis Croulet

It's a Hooded Oriole.

thanks for the id curtis .i wasn't sure what he was but he's very pretty and he's about the size of a mocking bird ..i think the little fellows a long way from home

Wetbug · Thursday 24th August 2006, 20:10

House finches routinely use the hummer feeder in my yard. So regularly, in fact, that the nectar there is used faster than the regular hummer feeder (the one with bee guards). Of course, without bee guards, the wasps help drain it too.

wings · Friday 25th August 2006, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curtis Croulet

It's a Hooded Oriole.

________--

And here is the male on the hummer feeder.

Thursday 17th August 2006, 18:23	#1
bamabluebird Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Prattville, AL Posts: 78	Do house finches like hummingbird nector? We saw some of our house finches drinking from the hummingbird feeder. Is that normal? Do we need to supply them with their own? I've never heard of or seen this before.

Friday 18th August 2006, 12:16	#3
KCFoggin Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Myrtle Beach SC "Smiling Faces, Beautiful Places" Posts: 116,764 My location	They try darn hard to get whatever they can out of my feeders as well __________________ KC a/k/a common KC Karma - What you send out Comes right back at ya
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Monday 21st August 2006, 06:03	#4
jazzmaster221 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: los angeles Posts: 5	i saw this one drinking today from my hummer's feeder Attached Thumbnails Last edited by jazzmaster221 : Monday 21st August 2006 at 06:07.

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Friday 18th August 2006, 11:44	#2
Nick Elliston Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Norwich, UK Posts: 414	I have seen and am aware of a number of different bird species taking some nectar even though it does not form part of their normal diet. Taken in quantity I doubt it would do them a lot of good, but small amounts are probably are a good tonic. I wouldn't put out nectar specifically for them though.

Thursday 24th August 2006, 20:10	#8
Wetbug Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vancouver, WA Posts: 11	House finches routinely use the hummer feeder in my yard. So regularly, in fact, that the nectar there is used faster than the regular hummer feeder (the one with bee guards). Of course, without bee guards, the wasps help drain it too.

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