Mike Patterson wrote:

>Both refined beet sugar and cane sugar are sucrose. I can offer a few
>alternatives.
>1) hummingbirds generally disappear in the spring and summer to their
>breeding grounds, returning to urban/suburban feeders beginning with
>the post-breeding dispersal in August. Perhaps your sugar change was
>coincidental.
>2. perhaps the brand of beet sugar has a dessicant or preservative not
>found in the brand of cane sugar you bought.
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I realize now that the discussion about cane vs beet sugar was on another
list (NWnatives). I unfortunately didn't keep any of the emails of the
discussion.

I had the same skepticism as Mike Patterson does; but after reading several
posts on the subject decided it was worth a try. I've had hummingbirds
visiting plants near the feeder for some time; but even though they would
fly within inches of the feeder they ignored it. The day after I changed
the sugar type they were actively feeding.

Additives in the beet (generic) sugar could certainly be the reason for
their preference; although it was also suggested on the other list that
hummingbirds may be able to taste a difference.

Perhaps there is a difference in the way beet and cane sugar is processed
and refined?

Disclaimer: Mike Patterson knows more about birds than I ever will.

John Shelton
Portland, Oregon