Richard Rowland

I cherish all of gods creatures, unfortunately, it's the human ones I have problems with. Several years ago, we attempted to entice a few Hummingbirds. We bought a feeder and feed, hung the feeder on the porch and waited. Eventually one showed up. If recalling correctly, we saw it only once.

We continued to watch, but never again did we see one. We gave up and took the feeder down. While it was a bit late, about a month ago we decided to try again. Hung the feeder and waited. A few weeks passed, no Hummingbirds. Then my wife spots one. I had not, as yet seen it, then a day or two later, I happen to look out the window and there it is.

I saw one again, for the second or third time, only minutes ago from this writing. We're disappointed that only one comes around at a time. And, I have no idea if it's the same one. But the hope is that it will bring friends. Does anyone on this forum have Hummingbird feeders hung out? If so, What type of response to the feeders, have you had?

sisboombaa

Question: Did you place feed in the feeder?

ACP45 Loc: Rhode Island

When my wife and I lived in NJ, we would have red impatiens on our deck, and we would see the same hummingbird (at least it seemed to be the same one) stop by ever other day or so and feed from the flowers. We had a bear problem in NJ, so a feeder was out of the question, but the red impatiens seemed to do the trick. Not sure if this helps at all, but I don't imagine it would hurt if you put some of those out in addition to your feeder.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

We live in the woods in West Virginia. By the end of May we have at least 10 at the feeders, having put them off in the middle of April. We use 8 oz feeders, plastic, mix the sugar and water on a 1 part sugar to 3 parts water, do not add coloring. the feeders have red on the area where the place to get to the food is. Change every 3 days at most, I prefer 2 days but by then all the food is usually gone. Change the formula to 1 part sugar to 4 parts water for the summer. Change back to 1 to 3 the middle of August so they can build up for the 700 mile flight. We get up to 20 each day in the summer but do not put the last one away (after cleaning) until there have been no hummingbirds for 2 weeks.

karpenter Loc: Headin' Fer Da Hills !!

We Hang Out Feeders (Plural) Starting In Late April
As They Migrate Back From Central America
Through-Out The Summer We See About 5 Regulars
A Couple Cock Ruby Throats, And Several Hens
Starting In August, The Young Are All Fledged
They All Start Feeding For Their Fight Back For The Winter
It's Mayhem Feeding

Along With Your Regulars
You'll Also Have Those
That Are Just Passing Through On Their Way South
So You'll Need To Keep Out Your Feeders
Until You're Sure They're All Gone
Last Year It Was Mid October For Us

You Need To Have Several Feeders Out
Because One Dominate Bird Will Bogard The Feeder
And He And His Mate May Be All You'll See
Feeders Don't Have To Be Far Apart
Just Far Enough One Bird Can't Guard Them All
We Have 4 On Our Deck
About 7 More In Our Front & Back Flower Beds
Plant Flowers - Lots Of Flowers

Oriole Feeders Are Similar
But They Have More Feeder Ports Per Feeder
They Have Perches For The Birds Too
Hummers Appreciate The Seats

Make Sure You Follow The Recipe For Bird Nectar
It's Like A Simple Syrup
And Once You Start, Don't Stop Feeding Them
They're Your Buddy Livestock Now

old marine Loc: America home of the brave

Interesting.

karpenter Loc: Headin' Fer Da Hills !!

They're Noisy
And About The Fussin'est Bunch There Are
Endlessly Entertaining Watching Them Interact

Once You Get Used To Seeing Them
You'll See Them Sitting Up In The Trees
You'll Be Able To Spot Them Flying Around
Like Any Other Bird
And You'll Hear Their Chirps All The Time

PLT Sarge Loc: Alabama

This is sound advice. The mixture is exactly the same as my Mother used. DO NOT ADD COLORING. For every two feeders there should be one of just water. You can use distilled water, or as my Mom did, boil the water let it cool and then do the mixture or just fill the plain water feeder. Always wash and keep them clean. I would suggest that RR research the migration patterns for his region. You have to keep them out for the whole season. It takes time, sometimes years but it's worth the wait. It's good to have tall trees close that they can build their nests in. When a pair find the feeders and raise their young each year on their journey they will return. Each new generation will then return the next year. By all means research and plant flowers that Hummingbirds and Butterflies like. Do separate your feeders because of dominate males. My Mom would make the mixture and Dad, before he passed would refill the feeders. My Dad worked for the Power Company with high voltage wires. His movements were slow and deliberate. I have seen him changing feeders with the Hummers sitting on his shoulders and head. They had upwards of fifty Hummers. They also had bird feeders, ALERT keeping the damn squirrels out of the bird feeders will be a problem. So Mom and Dad's patio was always a kaleidoscope of color and motion. Hummers, Butterflies, Birds and of course the damn squirrels. At night the Deer, Raccoon and other animals would also help themselves to the buffet. Enjoy the show.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Many years ago there was a Terrier show dog whose registered name was Annizazzi Little Hummingbird. She was rather snarky to other dogs and I couldn't understand why she was registered as Little Hummingbird until I had the change to see how aggressive a whole flock of hummingbirds were. Tht explained it but I really love the hummingbirds.
SWMBO

Richard Rowland

No, we put it out empty, ain't that the way it's supposed to be done?

karpenter Loc: Headin' Fer Da Hills !!

That's Why They're So Small
Any Bigger
It'd Be Dangerous To Go Out-Side !!

Richard Rowland

The feeder had hung out for many days before the one recently showed up. My wife had suggested we change the feed, then we noticed that the feed level was going down. I thought perhaps it has to ferment a bit before they are attracted to it. The feed we're using is a commercial one we bought at a farm store. It has a red coloring to it.

I really enjoyed your comments about your father and the birds perching on him. I would enjoy that experience. Thanks for sharing, Sarge.

old marine Loc: America home of the brave

🎶🎵🌽

pafret Loc: Northeast

This year my feeders have been wildly successful. I have seen hummingbirds arriving at the feeder outside my kitchen window in groups of five and six at a time. Interesting that even though the feeder has four flower feeding stations the birds approach one at a time. They hover in the air waiting for their turn. I will take pictures and post.

Note that in some previous years I was unable to attract any hummingbirds, same feeders and food solution.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Supposedly the red dye causes damage to the beaks that is why we use sugar and water from our well.