How to attract Hummingbirds to a new feeder?

1. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 15 years ago

   How to attract Hummingbirds to a new feeder?
   
   I just put up a new hummingbird feeder with sugar water (no die) and I'm wondering if I need to do anything to get hummingbirds to come for a drink.

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2. 0

   Common Thredposted 15 years ago

   Just be patient. Keep the feeder clean and full of fresh nectar (4 parts water to one part sugar) and hang the feeder in a place where you can see them, but make sure it's near trees but away from places potential predators can get to them. 
   
   Hummers will also love your feeder if you have it near bushes or flowers that bloom; like berry bushes that blossom or your window box full of blooming perennials. This attracts them because they see the opportunity for more than one food source.
   
   But like I said, be patient; especially if there's a lot of human traffic going past the feeder throughout the day; they need to take time to get used to the new feeder and your presence.
   
   Good luck!

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3. 69

   dlarsonposted 15 years ago

   The recommended 4:1 sugar to water ratio is okay if you're not competing with other hummingbird feeders in the neighborhood.  Around here (north Idaho), we use a little "richer" mixture of 2:1 or even 50:50.  Half sugar, half water (well, almost).  The little buzzers love it and will skip all the neighbors houses to get to the thick stuff.  We've noticed over the years that their tiny population is exploding and we've even seen a few rare varieties coming to the high-dose feeders.
   Now I wish I could say that these were my feeders but the truth is ... they're my neighbors.  My feeders are 4:1 and I've never seen a bird at them...

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4. 70

   Veronica Allenposted 14 years ago

   In addition to the answers above, use red or orange feeders to attract the birds, if you have already purchased feeders in other colors, tie a red or orange string around it to catch their eye, and if you do not have flower bushes nearby,, "place overripe fruit in a secluded area to attract fruit flies, which will also attract hummingbirds." http://hubpages.com/hub/Things-To-Consi … mmingbirds

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