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Hummingbird Garden

hummingbird novice question

16 years ago

I noticed hummingbirds in my perennial garden the past few weeks. I have numerous bird feeders, a bird bath, and some of the flowers that hummingbirds love, like a huge butterfuly bush. So, I decided to buy a hummingbird feeder yesterday, along with a feed mix (add water to the mix). Not knowing if the hummingbird would come back, I only filled up the feeder 1/4 full. I didn't see any hummingbirds last night (I have seen them in the past around dusk). This morning, the hummingbird feeder appeared untouched. But I just looked at it a minute ago, and the feeder is empty. How quickly would a hummingbird notice a feeder (it's just a cheap plastic one), and how quickly would they drink all the nectar. I swear I went to the kitchen window several times this morning, and saw nothing at the feeder, and no nectar missing.

I have (unfortunately) about a million sparrows out there. Could they have drank all the nectar, or would the hummingbird have done it that quickly.

Any other tips would be welcome.

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Comments (5)

ctnchpr
16 years ago
cearab,
If your feeder was in the sun, the large volume of air would expand very quickly and force your nectar out in a matter of minutes. Also, if your 'mix' is red, dump it and mix your own at a ratio of 4 parts water:1 part sugar.
cearab
Original Author
16 years ago
thank you. I'll make my own mix after I use up the box mix that I bought. I only put about 4 inches worth of liquid into the feeder, so it wouldn't go bad before the hbirds drank it all up. Still, I have not seen a single hbird at the feeder yet. Looking forward to it, though.
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jabee
16 years ago
If the feeder is the drip tube style it will leak. They need to be filled completely full in order to not run out
porchesandyards
16 years ago
txspice is correct. The feeder needs to be full and once it is around 3/4 empty it will begin to leak. You also might consider a top feeding hummingbird feeder to prevent any leaking.
hummersteve
16 years ago
Do not use any of the red premix it can be harmfull to hummingbirds!!!! Use white granulated cane sugar and water only 1:4 Personally I use only bottled water for my hummers, better taste. Some of the smaller feeders will leak if not filled full and then they may still leak just a little. Hang your feeder in an area where you have seen them garden area or from a tree. During this month you should see more hummers as they are working their way back south.

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