Do hummingbird feeders work?

[sixdogs]

We put up some hummingbird feedere for my mother-in-law, age 91, who lives with us now but there have only been a couple birds visit in the first two weeks. We did everything as instructed and use the bottled sugar water. Is this the way it works? Does it take time for the birds to find it and learn to come back or are there better flower sources closer to them? We put up a few feeders and spaced them far enough apart because we heard they are territorial but still, just those few visits. Well, an oriole stopped twice as well.
Do your hummungbird feeders work and do you have any advice?

 

[Pete Judd]

We have had ours up for over 20 years, and this time of year need an air traffic controller to help with the traffic jams. It does take time, and I don't know about the numbers of those birds in your area. Seems like the first couple of years were a little slow. Good luck with your MIL, hopefully she will see some in a year or two.

 

[Combustix]

We only have one up this year cause we can't keep them filled. We have several birds at a time on the one. It is a 4 cup feeder and we make our own food. one cup beet sugar, and four cups water, bring to a boil stirring occasionally and let it cool.

 

[Steve IA]

Everything you need to know:
hummingbirds.net

Good birding
Steve

 

[savageactor7]

Give it time...the birds have to discover it.

 

[Ken45101]

For some reason, we only have a couple of hummingbirds this year. Usually we have 30-40 and like Pete said, they need an air traffic controller.

Yes, the feeders work. My wife usually has trouble keeping two filled. She just uses sugar mixed with water.

She usually puts them up in April.

We miss our usual horde.

Ken

 

[Piperflyer]

What's your formula for the feeder?

 

[sixdogs]

What's your formula for the feeder?

We use the commercial stuff because we don't know any better and someone told me if you mix your own--and do it the wrong way--you can actually harm the birds?

 

[Pixguy]

My wife uses a 1/4 cup of sugar and fills the rest of the cup with hot water. The next morning she fills her feeders. We only have half of the birds we've had in the past years. Not sure if they didn't make it over the winter as they have to travel great distances.

On another note, my wife has put one out in florida during the months we are there and have seen no activity.

Good luck, stay vigilant, keep the food fresh and they will return year after year and bring their extended family.

 

[Fossil Farm]

Mixing your own sugar water is just fine. Just do not use honey or artificial sweeteners. Keep it in the refrigerator, and if you are not getting many birds, do not fill the feeder all the way or clean and replace the food every few days in this heat so the sugar water does not begin to grow bacteria. It will take awhile for the birds to find it, and additional flowers in the area will help as well as evergreens and other trees for nesting and resting areas. Good luck.

 

[20 20]

We started years back, only a few came for the 1st couple of years. We now have (last count 3yrs ago) over 60 of the little sugar suckers. So to answer you question yes it does take time, if you have a couple now you should see their activity grow over time.

 

[JerryK]

Ditto on the mix your own 4 to 1 ratio water/sugar mix. And, do not add red dye. The birds are attracted to the color of the feeder, and are just inquisitive in general... kind of weird once you get to know them. Feeder placement is important in a way. Located in a partialy to mostly shaded area away from human traffic is best, and the shade helps keep the mould problem down some. They will frequent a window feeder, but sometimes are skittish to movement in the house. But again, next time they will fly up and take a drink from your hose when you are watering something.... weird.... They eat a lot of bugs too... !!!!

 

[Ken45101]

On another note, my wife has put one out in florida during the months we are there and have seen no activity.

The migrate further south than Florida. Some migration paths cross the Caribbean, other paths go down through Mexico.

They will frequent a window feeder, but sometimes are skittish to movement in the house. But again, next time they will fly up and take a drink from your hose when you are watering something.... weird....

I have had them fly by so close that I felt the draft from their wings!

 

[IXLR8]

We use 1/3 cup sugar, 2/3 cup water. Put in microwave and heat until sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally, let cool and put in feeder. Never had much luck with the store bought mixes. We are seeing fewer this year than in years past. I am suspecting that they came up early due to the early warmth and then the cold killed off a bunch. Typically there are few the first year and you will get more and more as time goes on and they find your feeders. When we first started we were 1 of 2 in this neighborhood of 6 houses putting out feeders, now all 6 do, so that may also be contributing to our fewer numbers. They are very territorial and will come back year after year, after migrating to Mexico for the winter. Do keep the water mix changed out on a regular basis, at least weekly, more often if temps go over 90. Give them time... they will come.

 

[dmccarty]

The wifey started feeding the hummingbirds this year. She bought two feeders with one feeder actively in use while she rotates the other one out for cleaning. We have had a couple of birds for years but this is the first time we have fed them. We really wanted to plant flowers to attract both butterflies and the hummingbirds.

Not sure of the exact ratios the wifey is using to make the food but she is just using water and sugar.

We have only see a couple at a time at the feeder. Sunday morning she added the food to the feeder and by mid afternoon the birds had eaten an inch or two of the food. Given the amount of food she has been putting out I would guess we have quite a few hummingbirds. She said when she was near the feeder two of the hummingbirds were dueling with the beaks over access to the feeder. :laughing:

At some point I am going to sit near the feeder and try to get some photographs of the hummingbirds.

Later,
Dan

 

[Ken45101]

At some point I am going to sit near the feeder and try to get some photographs of the hummingbirds.

It's great fun to get the photographs and catch their wings at standstill if you use a telephone and flash. You get to see things that you don't otherwise see.

 

[meledward23]

Well, I am from OH and now in TN. When in OH I was young but I recall my Mother (and now my niece posts on FB) all the Hummingbird swarms at those feeders. They do work.

I do know from all the moving around my mother does that it does take time to get them clued in on you. My parents have a rather large boat and when the move around the marina slips it will take a few weeks before hummingbirds show up again. This is of course in a large marina where they have no business roaming. When they take that boat out and tie up near shore typically within a few hours we have company. But not always.

I think it is just a matter of time and yes once one finds it, it does seem that the FAA will be required on your property.

 

[jonyyuma]

The Hummers are not quite as many this year..We still feed pure cane sugar at ratio of 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water..If they are still finicky, then cut the water to three cups water to the cup of sugar...It does not have to be dyed red, but they like red feeders with the yellow flowers best here..plus they like the rest for their feet while drinking..Don't let the fluid get too hot in the sun..

 

[Western]

As others have said, we also get better results from the 1:4 ratio over commercial feeds, we just make enough to fill them 3/4 and keep them clean.

 

[Scooby074]

As mentioned it takes time for them to find it.

I also noticed less birds than usual this year.. I thought it was just me?