We installed two hummingird feeders in our garden, and the visitors are already comming. But I noticed that "our" little hummingbirds prefer the natural nectar of the pink bushes wich are in full bloom at this time of the year, and ignore the syrup. Beside the fact that natural food is "natural" ( and for that reason preffered), could be a way to tempt to come back the splendid "oiseaux mouche" ?
rene, My hummers drink from the abundant flowers mostly, during the day. They mob the feeders later in the afternoon or early evening. It's almost like they are topping off their tanks for night. Do you have a domminant female that hides in the foliage near the feeder and runs off anyone trying to feed. I do. She sits on a plant, out of sight, under the feeder and then explodes toward the invader and chases it away. Female hummers are not very nice! barb
Thanks Barbra for your quick answer. Regarding hummingbird female behave, it confirms Darwin's theory about the "fight for existence" even between those delicate creatures of nature's fantasy. Rene.
if they have the choice between the feeder and a real flower, they'll usually choose the real flower...still keep the feeders there and filled. you want them to always come back once you set feeders out and they'll stop coming by if you allow them to become empty.
I guess the flowers have some flavour, which sugar solution doesn't. What do you put in the feeder? If it really is 'syrup', then that's far too concentrated; it needs to be quite dilute, similar to the sugar concentration in flower nectar. This page has some useful details on recipes, hygeine, etc.: http://www.hummingbirds.net/feeders.html
oh! i forgot to post the link!! thanks, michael!! definitely make your own stuff for the feeders - don't use the premade-store bought stuff!!
Hi, and thanks to all of you for helping me with the hummingbirds syrup. I'm aware that the natural perfume of flowers can't be replaced by humans (not even by Coco Chanel ! ). And that's the secret attraction that flowers use in order to tempt birds to have a sip of nectar and to "pay" for that with the fecundation action. I read carefully all the text wich Michael recommended to me, I found it very interesting but in the time full of obligations wich I'm not sure I'll be able to fulfil 100% ! But I'll try. Rene
You could make a cool hanging basket/bird feeder so the the flowers draw in the birds and tempt them with the syrup mix. I don't know if you have the skills or hardware to do such a thing, and personally I would have no idea where to begin, but it's just an idea.
