humminbird
Well-known member
crickieheather said:So, how do they find the ones with no activity? I know there are some hummers in my area (reported seen already), but I have none at my feeders so far. I had one feeder under the eaves of my apartment last August through november, visited by a female and a male, then later two juv. males and the female. It was a hanging feeder. I switched to a pair of Hummzingers in december. One is mounted on a post out from under the eaves, but in the same area. The other is window mouted on the other side of my apartment. They're both in quite visible locations, and should be much easier to see compared to last year's placement, but I still haven't seen one at all. Could it be that they remember where to go, and the ones that used my feeder last year aren't up yet?
I also read somewhere that red ribbons tied to the feeder will help. They flap in the breeze?
Crickieheather:
First, before I answer your question, I want to make a distinction between red ribbons, red houses, red cars, etc. (used by a number of people) and a device deliberately designed to look like a feeder that offers the birds nothing. In my opinion, the latter is highly unethical.
There are a number of things I do not know that make answering your question difficult, but I can make some general statements. New feeders are found only by sight. Birds have very poor senses of smell, so any attempt to attract them must make use of their highly developed sense of sight. (by the way, because of that poorly developed sense of smell, buying fruit SCENTED (not the foods with real fruit in them) foods is making you feel good but doing nothing for the birds).
Hummingbird authors and feeders are unanimous on one point - big splashes of bright red color are a key to attracting these birds. You are clearly in an apartment. I would focus on hanging baskets of red flowers, NOT artificial flowers, red flower pots, red cushions on my furniture. I would not tie anything that is going to move with the wind to my feeders, but away from the feeders and where the birds could see it a red ribbon, red flags (even Old Glory) will help.
Keep the food fresh.
If you are in an urban area, you have a big strike against you known as the concrete jungle. ADVERTISE, but not deceptively.
Good birding
Mark
Bastrop, TX
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