Humming Bird Feeding Question

[Onomea]

I'm back at my Oregon place after an absence of about two months. Yesterday, I cleaned out the humming bird feeder, added a new mix of 2 cups of water to 1/2 cup sugar, and put it back in the yard.

I see the hummers flying around, but so far none are going for the feeder. My wife thinks this may be because the red coloring has worn off the feed bottle. But I think I read somewhere that the red color doesn't make any difference. The sugar water is, of course, clear.

Maybe they just haven't yet learned the feed is replaced?

 

[Rustyt1953]

I just spoke with the queen mum. She always has used red feeders. She learned long ago that her hummers don't care for red food coloring added to the sugar water.

Mom uses 4 cups water with 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil to dissolve sugar and let cool.

These feeders were given her by Fred.

 

[max]

My daughter had a green one they wouldn't touch. She put up a red one and they drank.

 

[A10]

Hummers can be nervous birds, and it takes them a couple days to get used to a feeder being out. They will get to it if they're hungry. There is a lot of their natural food out this time of year.

 

[Rule3]

Are Hummingbirds Really Attracted to Red?


14 Questions About Hummingbird Feeders Answered by Experts - Birds and Blooms


Feeding Hummingbirds | All About Birds
All About Birds

 

[Eric300]

Try using bourbon.

I have 2 feeders next to each other. Both get used equally. Need to fill them both with sugar water every few days.

 

[SAFireman]

Try using bourbon.

That would be a CAJUNLAWER feeder

 

[Memphis]

I've had so much fun watching these hummers. We moved to Eads Tn last september and we're a bit outside of the city. I put up my feeders in april. About 3 days later I saw my first one. But then about a week after that it's a feeding frenzy. There were 4 perched at one time with 2 more circling. I sit in my chair a mere 3 feet away and they still perch and feed. I sit real still and they aren't afraid at all. I believe we only have the ruby throated kind in the south east USA. The males have that bright red throat (drives the ladies wild). Now I make up two milk carton gallons of the nectar. They will drain a feeder in 3 to four days. I've already had 3 occurances of one flying in my shop as I sit in there. I finally realized they are attracted to my red and orange tool boxes. I would LOVE to see a nest sometimes and see how small their eggs are.

Roger

 

[KAC]

It usually takes about a week for the hummers to start feeding again after we have been away. We can tell when they are over being po'ed with us, 3-4 fighting over the feeders. Love to watch them, amazing birds.

 

[A10]

I've had so much fun watching these hummers. We moved to Eads Tn last september and we're a bit outside of the city. I put up my feeders in april. About 3 days later I saw my first one. But then about a week after that it's a feeding frenzy. There were 4 perched at one time with 2 more circling. I sit in my chair a mere 3 feet away and they still perch and feed. I sit real still and they aren't afraid at all. I believe we only have the ruby throated kind in the south east USA. The males have that bright red throat (drives the ladies wild). Now I make up two milk carton gallons of the nectar. They will drain a feeder in 3 to four days. I've already had 3 occurances of one flying in my shop as I sit in there. I finally realized they are attracted to my red and orange tool boxes. I would LOVE to see a nest sometimes and see how small their eggs are.

Roger

A few years back we saw a female Annas chasing all the birds away from the back corner of our yard. My grandson walked out there (slowly) to see what was going on and there was a tiny baby hummer sitting on a branch near our red current bush. it was about half the size of the mommy!

 

[Peak53]

My hummers return about mid-May and start buzzing the spot of the missing the feeder. Amazing memories! I fill the feeder and they are on it instantly. Bonus point: What is a flock of hummingbirds called?

 

[Onomea]

Had to look that up, Peak53: What is a Group of Hummingbirds Called? (Complete Guide) | Birdfact

 

[Eric300]

Had to look that up, Peak53: What is a Group of Hummingbirds Called? (Complete Guide) | Birdfact

I heard that a group of baby seals is called a 'Club'.

 

[MRB1]

We use 4/1 mixture with red coloring. They like it just as much without the red. Last year I had one that would land on my finger if I held it up to the perch. I didn't realize how much noise those little buggers make until I got hearing aids.

 

[Peak53]

Had to look that up, Peak53: What is a Group of Hummingbirds Called? (Complete Guide) | Birdfact

Bonus point duly awarded, however there is a half-point penalty for using Google. I think my sister nominated the winning term for a bunch of hummingbirds swarming a feeder, henceforth to be known as a "Buzz." Happy watching and hearing!

 

[John_M52]

We usually have swarms of hummingbirds. However, there was a fair amount of rain this spring and lots of flowers and the birds abandoned us for months. Now they are coming around in small numbers and ignoring feeders that were visited constantly. Feeders and sugar are still the same.

 

[meaneyedcatz]

For those who are thinking of feeding hummingbirds,
DO NOT EVER USE HONEY!!!!
It causes a fungus and they end up starving to death.

Notice the experienced hummer feeders here use only sugar water.

 

[Onomea]

They really are utterly marvelous creatures. Did you know, they are the only bird that can fly backwards?

For those with Amazon Prime, this is a very enjoyable, interesting documentary on humming birds:

 

[A10]

We have both annas and Rufous in northern Washington. When we lived in Camas we had them plus a calliope and black throated. All of them are amazing birds!

 

[Rule3]

I heard that a group of baby seals was called a 'Club'.

That's terrible!