Do hummingbird feeders work?

[PILOON]

Our humming birds actually come to the windows begging for food.
Come spring the little fellows fly window to window to announce their arrival.*
Yes they get very tame and will try feeding in your ears if you wear a red hat.

*Thus proving that they are excellent navigators and have good memories.

 

[Branchchipper]

We are in the Cascade range foothills... We have 2 species- Anna's year-around, and Rufous from spring through early fall.
They do not get along well, so this time of year, our 3 feeders are in need of air traffic control (and anger management). It is all pretty entertaining, but we have a hard time keeping the feeders full. (Homemade clear sugar water, changed frequently in warm weather, and rinsed with vinegar before refill- don't use soap). Our feeders are located to minimize competition and predation, but we have had problems with the h-birds getting trapped in the garage or barn when doors are left open. They are attracted by a brightly-colored item, then can't figure out how to exit. Best solution is to keep doors closed.

 

[QRTRHRS]

We went from a slow start to also needing an air traffic controller about mid June. We have eight of the flat "saucer" style feeders. More work cleaning those but less waste as with the large "tankers". We also use cane suger, 1 cup to four cups of water. We bring the water to a boil, add the sugar and stir until disolved. We let the refrigerated water warm to room temperature before cleaning and filling the feeders. It is still about twenty degrees cooler than outside as of late. Hanging flower baskets close by the feeders help to draw in the birds especially when starting out. The also give the birds a close by perch while they rest between tanking up and fussing with each other. We really enjoy sitting in the evening while they frantically vie for sipping rights.

We are not sure if they nest closeby in our Bartlett Pear trees or not. We have plenty of trees but they are 200 or 300 feet away from the house. We had lost three of the six around the house in the last two years due to wind and now about 3/4 of the one closest to our feeders. The hummers still fly into the tree on the ground but I cannot see one of the super tiny nests. Wife won't let me clean it up just yet.

 

[JerryK]

I try not to do any tree work in the summer, nests are hard to see and anywhere from 10 to 40' up all over the place. Them little birds sure have us trained....

 

[oosik]

I have the normal 6-10 pair of humming birds. There are no wildflowers blooming - so I have to refill( two cups) the feeder daily.

 

[RobertBrown]

Our humming birds actually come to the windows begging for food.
Come spring the little fellows fly window to window to announce their arrival.*
Yes they get very tame and will try feeding in your ears if you wear a red hat.

*Thus proving that they are excellent navigators and have good memories.

Who else wants to see a picture of a you in a red hat and a Humming bird with it's beak in your ear?
Please get a shot of that and post it here. Let us know what that sounds like too. Thanks

I do not have a feeder but I have tried them in the past with no results. The sugar attracts fire ants so it just doesn't work out well for me.
I occasionally see humming birds feeding on my mimosa tree blossoms and red honey suckle vines.

 

[Billrog]

Not sure how many hummers here but they go through 4 quarts of syrup every couple days when in full swing. Took these pics. of my youngest sister who was so intrigued by them she stood there for hrs. every day.

 

[fordmantpw]

When I was a kid, I would stand by the feeder and let the hummers get used to me. Then I tried putting my fingers on the perches and the birds were so tame they landed on my fingers. Really cool!

Last year, while building our new home (before we had our feeder up), we had a hummer get in and she couldn't find her way out. I went the next morning and found her near death on the steps. She couldn't even stand up. Took her to the neighbors and put her on the feeder. After a few drinks, she had her strength back and was flying around fighting the others for food. It was great to bring her back from the brink!

Now we have our own feeder and have them out there pretty much all day. I have it outside my office window so I can watch them when I need a break from writing code.

 

[cat fever]

I was at my Aunt and Uncle's cabin, southern Utah. The hummingbirds were feeding at the feeders. My aunt said hold still and put your finger out. I did and they would land on my finger, just for a second or two. Pretty cool.
Sorry no pictures to prove it.

 

[Billrog]

I have 1 feeder outside my office window as well for entertainment.
When it's cold in the spring they fly until quiet dark.

This baby fell asleep on the perch.

Once there were so many on the feeders some were sharing the same hole but I never got a pic.



This one got very tame when I was watering in the evening it would come sit on my hand and drink form the hose.

This is the only time I've seen a bee and hummer at the same time on the feeder.