A really idiotic and offensive question re: hummingbirds

[sweet thunder]

They make the most unusual clicks and chirps compared to other birds. There is no other sound like it and most people don't even realize the noise/sound they are hearing is from the Hummingbird.

Yes! I particularly love the really loud whistle when they dive. For the longest time I didn't know what it was.

I never really thought much about hummingbirds, myself, and didn't plan on attracting them, but my property came with lots of plants they love, and now I can't imagine not wanting them around.

[rainbowgardener]

If you put out a feeder they will find it, but if you haven't had one before, it may take a few weeks. You have to patiently keep changing the nectar on faith, even though you haven't seen one yet....

[applestar]

@Earl K

There are three basic designs:
(1) A bottle filled with 20~25% white sugar water solution to which a base with feeding ports are screwed on and then the whole "feeder" is turned upside-down to gravity fill the well
(2) A bowl filled with the solution to which a lid with feeding ports are friction snapped on.
(3) A single tube or globe filled with the solution, capped with rubber or cork stopper to which a bent tube is attached. The tube and globe are hung singly or in multiples so that the stopper is angled downwards.

Of the three, I've used (1) and (2) and find that the hummers seem to prefer (1) feeder but (2) feeder is MUCH MUCH easier to keep clean -- the sugar solution is prone to black mold which is toxicto the hummers. Speculation is the (1) feeder is more widely distributed and the hummers tend to recognize it better. Once they realize that (2) feeder has sugar water too, they do use that regularly. (3) feeders, especially ones made from artglass globes are beautiful, but I don't know how functional they are. As much as I drool over them in catalogs and websites, I avoid them because I'm afraid of broken glass in the garden.

Some feeders are designed with perches and some are not. I think the hummers appreciate being able to rest and sip. Other features to look for are wasp excluders and ant moats (there are instructions on-line for making ant moats from spray can lids) Don't hang the feeder where you don't want the sugar water dripping and attracting ants and bees/wasps.

Honey and raw/brown sugar should not be used due to botulism (honey), faster mold formation, etc. and red food coloring/dye is unnecessary.

[vintagejuls]

Around here, it seems like the feeder attracts them to the flowers. I see more of them when I have my feeder up. They love my Agapanthas... which are ending their blooming period

[rainbowgardener]

The number 3 ones from applestar's post tend to drip all the time. Very pretty, but less functional...

[a0c8c]

I'm not so sure about them always coming when a feeder's hung up, even after weeks of waiting. It depends on where you live and other houses around you. We've had a feeder for months and I've only seen on hummer, where as my wife's grandmother has one and theres always a hummer around, if not two or three but she also lives by a lake and we live in town.

[hendi_alex]

I think part of it depends upon the competition. Even with feeders out, we see very few hummers during April and May. I think that it is because we live in the country and honeysuckle and other flowing wild plants are blooming throughout the wet areas. Once that bloom is over and the wet areas dry a bit in early summer, we start seeing a good bit of hummingbird activity. Our friends who live about a mile and a half from us, have a pond by their home. They always have a dozen or more hummingbirds. Even with feeders, we never have more than five or six birds and more often it is two or three at a time.

[vintagejuls]

It depends too on where you hang it... although, if you're in the country, Alex is right, they'd rather get the natural stuff.

Although, when my mom lived in a very rural area of Central California she had 2 to 3 large feeders and approximately 75 hummers - no kidding!!! It was amazing. I wish I would have recorded it but didn't have the tech then. She probably has some still photos though... Her yard was mostly evergreen types of vegetation; not really any flowering plants. So maybe that is why.

Feeding Solution - 3 parts water to 1 part sugar.

I use a large glass feeder with the red plastic base which holds several yellow flowers where they dip their beaks; and use 3 cups water to 1 cup sugar

[tomf]

They like the color red alot, this brings them in.

[Earl K]

So I bought a feeder for them today.Throughout the day I ask significant other if she saw any birds--She says no it has not been a couple days as I told her it would take(was hoping the would come immediately)NOT.Well I'll see what happens.

[vintagejuls]

Yes, they do like the color RED

What kind of feeder did you buy? Does if have the red base with yellow flowers?

And, where do you have it hanging?

I put mine back up yesterday after having it down for a couple of weeks and have only had 1 hummer. So, it does take time to attract them.

Keep us posted Earl K....

[Earl K]

I bought a cheapie to start with,It does have a red base with yellow flowers.I hung it along my back fence about one foot from the top? where there is all kinds of other bird activity due to all the trees in the rear neighbors yard.I thought I read that it will take a while for them to find it at first but once they know they will come back.None yet

[Kaye]

Yes, they will definitely come if you feed them! I have feeders front and back. This year had no less than 8 hummers! That included some offspring. And if you think the humminbird is little, you should see the babies!
I agree with the other posters about watching the acrobatics when they start protecting the feeders. They are a lot of fun to watch.
My cats know they cant catch them, so don't even worry!
I have found that they love Rose of Sharon bushes as well as petunias. But they prefer the feeders...
I keep watching them, but have yet to see the nests!
Maybe next year...

[rainbowgardener]

All the hummers have been gone from here for a month or so, not to be seen again until June-ish.... so sad.

[Kaye]

I know.....I always hate it when they leave. Our last male left in mid September. We always add extra sugar starting in the beginning of Sept, like we do in the start of spring, when the llittle guys are on the move.
We have a nice long hummer season, typically April to Sept!

[Bear in the garden]

I gave up on a feeder for them they just by pass it and head to the flowers in the gardens, I do have a bird bath just for them and they seem to really enjoy it, its only about a half inch deep and maybe 5 inches wide, I fill it every day after the take a bath, I have 6 hummers in my back yard every year there after the wild flowers I grow, so I'm happy they like my yard

Bear

[rainbowgardener]

Agree with marlingardener, even though I grow tons of hummingbird flowers, which they love, they also spend a lot of time at the feeders. It changes through the season too. Early in the season they spend very little time at the feeders. By late in the season when they are stocking up for the big migration trip, they really appreciate the concentrated energy of the feeders and are there constantly, with just little side trips for dessert at the flowers.

[Kisal]

The hummingbirds that visit my yard seem to visit my feeders and my flowers equally often.

In addition, I have feeders out in the wintertime, because there is at least one species that routinely overwinters in my area.

[Rose White]

Hummer lovers... I plead with you to bear with my ignorance about this question. I would love your input on this if you can get past the stupidity of the question.

For several years I've had the goal of attracting songbirds, butterflies, and hummingbirds to my property. Only in the past year have I had the time and ability to actively pursue attracting them.

Within the last couple of weeks, I've finally started seeing hummingbirds. Yay!

but may I ask... what is the great appeal? I don't know quite what I was expecting, but the ones who hang out in my gardens are small, relatively unexciting-looking, and (to me) seem almost more like insects the way they move and buzz about.

With butterflies, you have the brilliant colors and fluttery movement, plus they are pollinators. With songbirds, you have pretty colors and cheery birdsong, plus their droppings fertilize the soil.

What is it exactly about hummingbirds that I'm supposed to appreciate? I truly mean no offense to all the hummingbird-appreciators, but perhaps if you explain what you find enchanting about them, I will see them in a new light and be able to appreciate them too!

I was also surprised when the hummingbirds started coming to my mountain cabin and wondered why people loved them so much. But I always appreciate them because my aunt and cousin both loved them so much.

One came in through the open patio door and got stuck inside. They make a sad eeeekkk!! noise when they are afraid. I was able to carefully escort it outside using a broom and happily s/he still comes back to visit.

[johnnytomatoseed]

I st of all , your question is not offensive at all. It is honest.
A couple of quick experiences with Hummers. My wife and I were staying at a wilderness area cabin in North central michigan.We walked over by the Hummer feeders to take a few pictures. My wife having very curly hair , was attacked by at least a dozen hummers. of the Ruby throated variety. The flew at her hair and into it.
One day I was doing some kind of gardening thing on the patio , I had the small yellow cap of something in my hand. I looked down and there were a pair of hummers trying to get a quick nectar fix.I am not sure why we love to watch them but we do.Maybe it is a primal link to our long ago past where man was much closer to nature ..... naw , we just like to watch them. john boy