Does anyone else feed hummingbirds? Then this is the tread for you! Here we will post hints, tips, and pics!

This will be my 4th year feeding hummingbirds and it's been a really rewarding hobby. It's so interesting to see all the different varieties of hummingbirds, and how the same ones seem to come back every year. I just put up my feeder this morning, and I'm considering adding another one.

According to research, hummingbirds begin to migrate through NC the first week in April. So if you don't have your feeders up yet, do it soon.

4/9/2014 10:52:11 AM

Thanks for the reminder. I've been meaning to put mine up! I didn't have much success with hummingbirds the last year, but it was mostly because I moved mid-summer. I would really like to attract a few groups of birds so I can see some territorial battles.

4/9/2014 11:24:34 AM

We live up here in Boone, so we won't put ours out again for a few more weeks.

PSA: Do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT add red food coloring to your sugar water! Just 4:1 water to sugar is all you need.

4/9/2014 1:04:59 PM

This type of feeder I think is best. It took me going through several feeders to realize why this one is so much better.



1. Plenty of red to attract them
2. No dripping
3. Easiest to clean (especially since mold grows really fast)

Speaking of mold... is there anyway to prevent it easier? I always boil my own sugar mix, but it still gets moldy pretty quick. I mean, it's not a big deal since sugar is so cheap compared to other bird foods.

4/9/2014 1:31:43 PM

Are there any issues putting a feeder in front of a window? I have hummingbirds all around the house but can't seem to attract them to the feeder in front of the living room window.

4/9/2014 1:41:02 PM

^^I keep my unused mixture in the fridge, generally don't have a problem with the food in the actual feeder going bad since they suck it down so fast (as long as I clean the feeder between fill ups).

^reflection maybe? I usually notice one or two bigger birds run the yard, so maybe their reflection in the window scares them.

4/9/2014 2:08:30 PM

^^^ That picture is obviously photoshopped. Hummingbirds are complete jerks to one another. :p

4/9/2014 2:24:58 PM

^ Oh, I know. I think it's hilarious that they picture multiple hummingbirds (especially males) together on a feeder. That NEVER happens in real life.

They are so territorial. I used to see them in a pine tree near the feeder watching their food when they weren't eating. This is one of the reason I like them so much. They give no fucks about who they fight near. It's pretty awesome to stand in the middle of a hummingbird battle.

4/9/2014 3:51:39 PM

Quote :

"PSA: Do NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT add red food coloring to your sugar water! Just 4:1 water to sugar is all you need."

Truth. I never add any coloring to my nectar. My feeder has hardly any red on it at all and I have never had any issues. Also, I do more like 4:1.5 in my first to make sure to attract newbies. Although I did use a red solo cup when I made my ant moat last year, which may help.

Quote :

"Are there any issues putting a feeder in front of a window? I have hummingbirds all around the house but can't seem to attract them to the feeder in front of the living room window."

I don't see why it would be a problem. Mine is in front of my living room window and it doesn't seem to bother them. In fact, they will come up and try to feed even while I am filling it, ballsy little bastards.

[Edited on April 12, 2014 at 6:27 PM. Reason : a]

4/12/2014 6:24:24 PM

The solo cup ant moat is great! Except for them the other birds decide to simply drink out of it.

4/12/2014 7:24:14 PM

Ok, I think I need to start doing this and see if I can attract some hummingbirds.

4/13/2014 7:54:28 AM

I have several visitors already, but they're still too timid for me to get a pic. Give it a month and they'll practically let me pet them.

4/14/2014 5:05:03 PM

I might get a feeder more like yours. We have the cheesy little red plastic feeder that is a couple bucks. We put it up last year on our balcony and got a ton of hummingbirds. Somebody posted a reminder they were back in the area, so I reloaded the feeder Friday and had 1-2 birds there within an hour. Definitely thinking about adding a second feeder though with a perch.

4/16/2014 9:53:47 AM

I like sitting on the deck and watching them fight for territory. Once they find a loaded feeder they'll sit on a branch close by and guard it all day. You'll see this skinny bird trying to sneak a sip and then this well fed alpha motherfucker comes swooping in and dive bombs that poor sap. Sometimes they'll take off in a chase and speed across the deck a few feet away from my face. It's great entertainment.

4/16/2014 12:32:55 PM

I found a cool mason jar hummingbird feeder at Lowe's. I needed it to hang lower so I made a hanger out of an old rusty chain I found in one of my barns. I like it, hopefully the hummingbirds do too. Plus it gave me a great idea to make hummingbird feeders out of mason jars.



[Edited on April 21, 2014 at 6:27 PM. Reason : a]

4/21/2014 6:26:11 PM

We just saw our first returning humming bird up here in Boone. We weren't expecting them until sometime next month because was barely have any flowers and most trees don't even have leaves yet! So we lept into action and cleaned their feeder and boiled up some sugar water.

4/21/2014 6:39:20 PM

Through about it but not sure if they are around.

4/21/2014 11:16:31 PM

I've been thinking about doing hummingbird feeders, but for now, I'm sticking to my Martin boxes (there wasn't an official purple Martin thread to post this...)

4/21/2014 11:25:48 PM

Several visitors to my mason jar feeder today.

4/22/2014 9:31:30 AM

I think my hummingbird feeder is in a bad place

I have it in some shade under a tree on a shepherds hook. It's kind of low to the ground like 4ft

Should I move it to the front where my azaleas are?

4/22/2014 10:34:01 AM

^ Possibly. But the height shouldn't be a problem. Is this your first year? Try making the syrup extra sweet to attract them. Once they find your feeder the first time and know it's the "good shit", they will always come back to it.

4/22/2014 10:48:09 AM

Do hummingbirds have any benefits to vegetable gardens? Like scaring away other birds or something?

4/22/2014 12:48:30 PM

Little Grumpy was pleased to have the feeder back out this morning. He's been back around seven times today and even chased off the goldfinches for the hell of it.

4/22/2014 3:27:25 PM

I just put out and filled my hummingbird feeder. I hope that they find it!

I was thinking about moving it to outside the window of the parrot room, so that the parrots can watch the hummingbirds. I have no clue if parrots like to watch hummingbirds.

4/22/2014 6:21:04 PM

I put out my feeder last Friday, but I haven't seen any action yet. I made my mixture extra sugary, but is there anything else I can do to attract them? I moved last summer, so I don't have any returnees.

I don't really have any flowers in front of my townhouse, but I guess I could by a potted plant of some sort with them (I rent). I just kill plants easily, so I am reluctant.

4/23/2014 3:25:23 PM

moved the feeder to my front yard flower bed and put new juice in it yesterday. that did the trick

have had one little guy come back 5 times at least today already that i've seen

4/28/2014 1:37:12 PM

I had to take down the mason jar feeder because it was leaking and attracting ants onto my deck. I think it's missing a piece inside that regulates the nectar flow. I'm going to take it back to Lowe's today and see if I can return it for one with all the pieces. If they don't come with that piece, then the design is flawed and I will just exchange it for something different.

4/30/2014 9:04:04 AM

This is my current set up (as of yesterday). Two feeders, and a new flowering plant. If I don't get some hummingbirds soon, I'll be

5/2/2014 12:13:18 PM

Hummingbirds finally found the feeder. In the morning and evening it seems there's a nearly continuous line of birds eating.

Now, I need to figure out what type of hummingbirds they are.

5/7/2014 2:48:48 PM

I haven't seen a hummingbird since I was a little kid. I'll have to put out a feeder. Is it too late in the year. What's the window?

5/8/2014 9:50:15 PM

I just want to thank you since this inspired me to put out hummingbird food. The first time nothing came to visit . Later I saw some near the bee balm so refilled the feeder and there are now lots of the suckers!

8/5/2014 1:23:35 PM