Hummingbirds use nectar for energy, not nutrition. They gain nutrients from eating tiny insects. When you see hummingbirds hovering and facing different directions or aimlessly zipping short distances, they're probably snatching flying insects. Their bills open and snap shut on the insects faster than the human eye can see, but it can be filmed. Amazingly, the lower bill actually bends quite substantially while they're doing this. Hummingbird feeders bring the birds into view, which many people enjoy. Feeders are entertainment for us. If you have sufficient flowers to attract the birds you want to see, nobody will quarrel with it. Flower nectar contains traces of things other than sugar, but it's not necessary to attempt to exactly duplicate flower nectar to make an effective feeder, and neither do feeders interfere with the birds' willingness or ability to use other sources. Some people have mistakenly added other things to feeder nectar in an attempt to make it more attractive, but hummingbird experts and banders -- to a man or woman -- recommend plain sugar and water. Anecdotal evidence suggests the birds can tell the difference between cane sugar and beet sugar, and they prefer cane. Most experts recommend a ratio of 1:4 or 1:3 sugar to water, measured by volume. Anything in this area will work. I know a famous bander and author in Louisiana who has standardized on 1:3, and tests show that birds are attracted to higher concentrations. Most hummfeeders use 1:4 -- a balance of attractiveness to the birds with economy for you. Feeder nectar does not lead to diabetes in hummingbirds. They naturally seek sources of concentrated sugar, and they regulate their behavior to get the amount they need. Their physiology is different from humans, and concepts gained from promoters of healthy living are not appropriately applied to hummingbirds.

They must've remembered from last year Vickie. I believe they return to the same spot every year. I bought a few plants for the hummingbirds. Orchlein's in Republic had hanging baskets of red verbena on sale for $7.50. I got one for my mother and one for myself. Wal-Mart and Lowe's in north Spfd both had annual red salvia on clearance so I got a couple six packs of that too. I couldn't find any 'Lady in Red' like I got there last year. I think they like it better than the common salvia splendens that they always have. Hoping they'll get some in later. If anyone sees 'Black and Blue' anywhere, let me know. I'd like to get one of those. Lowe's had it last year but they were out already when I checked.

I took down all of my hummingbird feeders temporarily because there are so many flowers right now, including an especially prolific bromeliad that the birds like. I only have the feeders up when there are not enough flowers, but since I have them hanging in the apple tree, it helps when there are fewer leaves on the tree. During the winter, I keep four feeders in the apple tree, and I have not noticed them being belligerent to the point of killing or even maiming each other. I took down feeders this spring because they were not being used that much and were getting mold. In the winter I had to refill them often, but in the spring, the birds went to the flowers instead. I have a lot of aloes and succulents that bloom in the winter, but I guess they do not supply enough food for the birds - at least not compared to the other flowers I have blooming now. Lars

And, because this thread does hit one of my favorite topics - here's more pics of feeders (with a few comments). These aren't my best hummingbird pics - highlighting feeders here: Blossom feeder - had 3 (green blue and lavender) but did break one when cleaning them. They are cute - I'd never use the ones you stick in a pot as I think hummers just become a cat toy if you do that - I go for ones you can hang. You can't tell from this angle, but I like the curve of the metal hanger it's a nice bit of garden art - they like to hang out on it too. Only holds a cup. I'm still using this one although one of the flowers is always a bit askew. Love this one - when I saw that the company was going out of business, I found a couple still available on Amazon and nabbed them. It holds about 2 cups. I've had to moe to flowers with bee guards. Also loved this one as I'm a fan of that cobalt blue (here, the birds find them - they check out anything hanging at my house, could be any color) BUT the bottom of the glass piece is smooth and has a plastic ring glued to it with the ridges for the base to screw into. Didn't hold up much longer than a year and the base with the plastic piece came off (dumps sugar water everywhere). Tried gluing it back on myself, came apart again. I can't recall which glue I used (thinking E6000) - want to try it again, might go with an epoxy this time. The plastic flowers on this one finally fell apart. Tried buying Perky Pet flowers but they don't fit even close. Given the gravity feed - the feeder ports must fit or you have leaking sugar water (California is one giant ant hill - even the scientists say it - you can Google it ;-) - so sugar water leaking is not a good idea. I usually have Anna's with just a few staying over the winter, mobs in spring and summer and Rufous only when migrating. You can see both in this shot. I do daily refills on all of them in summer, once per week wash in soapy water and bleach solution every 3 to 4 weeks. Get sugar in a big ol' bag at Costco. Schedule slows down in winter.