What’s the life expectancy for hummingbirds? How long and how far is their migration? What foods could they possibly find to eat this far north right now? I sought answers to these, and other questions, as April 20^th approached.

According to my past “refrigerator lists”—my yearly lists of bird species and the dates on which I first observed them—a male Calliope Hummingbird had first appeared on April 20th for the past two years in a row. Would he show up again, I wondered. And if he did, could it actually be the same bird making his way up from Central Mexico for a third straight year?

Spring is officially here, bringing us longer days and an energy that propels us toward setting things in order. Spring cleaning is an urge that comes to all of us in one form or another. We’re raking leaves, mending fences, burning debris, washing windows, and deep cleaning our houses as sunshine warms our soul.

Our cleaning endeavors should be extended to our feathered friends as well. If we’re going to attract birds to our yards, we have a responsibility to keep them safe from diseases that dirty feeders can harbor. Be sure to include bird feeders, baths and houses on your cleaning list.

Bird houses should be cleaned out once a year, preferably in the fall after the occupants have left the nest and moved on. It might not be too late to do it now. Watch the house closely. If you see nest-making activity, wait until fall to empty the contents.

Feeders, on the other hand, should be thoroughly cleaned at least four times a year, or more often if wet seeds or bird droppings accumulate. Mold, fungi, and bacteria can cause respiratory infections and spread diseases that can be deadly. Sanitary conditions are important for the health of the birds who feast on the food we provide for them. This also includes cleaning away seed shells and droppings underneath feeders.

To do a thorough cleaning of birdseed feeders, and bird baths, you will need water (preferably a hose), liquid soap, bleach or white distilled vinegar, a brush, and a sponge or rag. Clean away as much of the old seed fragments and bird droppings as possible before you clean with the soap and water. Get into all the cracks and surfaces—an old toothbrush is a handy tool for this. If your feeder comes apart, disassemble the pieces to clean. After cleaning with soap and water, do another once over with a bleach or vinegar solution. If using bleach, mix 9 parts water to one part bleach. If you choose to use the less toxic vinegar option, the solution is about 3 parts water to one part vinegar. Let the feeder soak a while if using the vinegar mixture.

After cleaning it is important to rinse the feeder thoroughly, and let it dry completely before adding any food. If you do your cleaning on a sunny day, the whole process will be easier. Set the feeder in the sun to dry and you’ll be back in the seed business within an hour.

Hummingbird feeders are another matter entirely, and should be cleaned after four days of use. The delicate and trusting Calliope, Black-chinned, and Rufous hummingbirds that visit our feeders here in Ferry County require fresh nectar and a clean feeder free of black mold which can accumulate quickly during the heat of summer. Every four days, dump out any old nectar and rinse the feeder in hot water. If you see black mold forming, or the nectar becomes cloudy, clean the feeder with a bleach or vinegar solution and rinse thoroughly before adding new nectar. The best nectar is made with one part cane sugar to four parts water.

Keep in mind that songbirds are attracted to clean, fresh food sources and if you fail to keep your feeders clean, the birds you are trying to attract will likely go elsewhere, possibly gracing your neighbor’s yard instead of your own.