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Post by cas124 on Sept 12, 2011 11:08:53 GMT -5
Hello. I am fairly new with hummingbirds. We put a feeder up off our balcony about 1-2 months ago, and for a while we were getting several hummingbirds. For the past 2 weeks, we have only seen one. I change the feeder out weekly at night when we normally did not see any and put it back in place. Also our balcony has hibiscus and geraniums to attract. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance.
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Post by Steve Backes on Sept 12, 2011 21:00:51 GMT -5
For the most part, summering birds have migrated south and you're now seeing northern birds migrating through. Migrants are heading to a location and will stop when they get there. Those heading for places south of you may visit your yard once or for a few weeks but will eventually leave. Hopefully, you have already attracted or will attract a bird that will not be continuing south and will spend the winter with you.
Keep in mind that just because one migrant doesn't stay it doesn't mean the next one won't. The bulk of Ruby-throated migration ends by mid-October but some birds, including other species, may show up through the first of the year.
Hibiscus are not necessarily good hummingbird plants. The color may attract them to your balcony but they don't offer a good source of nectar. I've read that geraniums can be good hummingbird plants but I don't have any personal experience with them. Young birds don't always recognize feeders as a source of food so more hummingbird plants (red tubular flowers) will help to attract birds to your balcony.
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Post by Joe M on Sept 13, 2011 14:53:16 GMT -5
cas124,
Will add a bit to Steve's post.
Flowering plants of all varieties will attract hummers if only for the fact that hummers are naturally looking for a food source regardless of whether or not they will revisit the flower.
Often the hummer may be finding insects on the flowers which will satisfy their desire for a protein source. A "balanced" diet for hummers is about 50/50, sugar and protein (which they get by catching a prodigious amount of insects on a daily basis).
Eg: During the summer in MA while others complain about mosquito's, I have no problem, thanks to hummers in abundance.
Hanging basket flowers I have used with success: fuchsias (the best), impatiens, penstemons and salvia. (all in FL)
Joe M.
Sturbridge, MA
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Post by Joe M on Sept 13, 2011 15:17:48 GMT -5
Neglected to mention in my previous post that different types of feeders should be tried. One hummers may be attracted to one style another may be attracted to another style. Variations in color, red or yellow port areas, all come into play. Remember that artificial feeders are not an instinctive feeding source so we need to be creative and use different methods to attract them to feeders and a little strip of "surveyors tape" is a good idea.
Joe M.
Sturbridge, MA
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