The Hummingbird Feeder Dilemma
By L. Jenkinson
@MarymargII (12422)
Toronto, Ontario
March 21, 2018 8:33pm CST
It's fast becoming flower-planting and bird feeder time. I am debating about trying again with a hummingbird feeder. When we lived more in the country for several years we had a few feeders and a lightweight hummingbird feeder that seemed to attract a multitude of those little, lightning-fast birds!
We loved to see AND HEAR them buzz by like big bees going for that feeder. But alas when we tried to attract them in the city we weren't so lucky. One or two hummingbirds buzzed by last summer but didn't stop to chat.
We aren't doing anything different- same type of feeder and same type of homemade sugar water. The only difference seems to be that they are on a condo balcony on the second floor and of course, not in the country.
Do any of you bird experts out there know why they are not coming to visit? Are they afraid of heights or are was it something we said-ha! 
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15 responses
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
23 Mar 18
Well there you go- more hummingbird-friendly flowers and hopefully a few bugs--lol!
2 people like this
@rebelann (111168)
• El Paso, Texas
23 Mar 18
I want to try to grow some trumpet vine next year @MarymargII I should have gotten started with that this year but things just got out of hand so I'll just wait.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Mar 18
@rebelann I know that trumpet vine and other plants are favourites to hummingbirds- also attracts bees though so am hesitant.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Mar 18
@MarymargII Apparently we have a couple of sunbirds which look a bit like hummingbirds but that's it.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Mar 18
Now that's an interesting fact. In all of Australia? You're in the west aren't you?
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
12 Apr 18
@JudyEv Oh really? Sunbirds? I may just look them up to see what they look like.
@DianneN (246814)
• United States
24 Mar 18
@MarymargII Yes, we have a variety. I'd be happy with any. They have always fascinated me.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Mar 18
And do you get quite a few of them? In the US there should be different types. Here we get the ruby-throated variety
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
26 Mar 18
@DianneN It's also a bit of a pain though to empty and change the nectar.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Mar 18
They are darling creatures and are at rest for only a very short period of time! ha!
1 person likes this
@just4him (306196)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
24 Mar 18
@MarymargII I had no idea they were green or shaped like that. The only thing I knew was their long beak.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
27 Mar 18
@just4him Yes their tiny things and very entertaining to watch ha!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Mar 18
Perhaps they are seasonal and migrate? Only California has year around hummers.
2 people like this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
27 Mar 18
I didn't know that about California--so neat- I guess the weather is right.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
24 Mar 18
This is lovely..I do not know about the ins and outs of it though.
Do you know my poor Mother is living with such a mean wicked sister I have that she wont put any feeders out for my poor Mom to watch the birds..wicked and mean. And my Mother loves the birds.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
26 Mar 18
That's not good- isn't there anything you can do to change her mind- or did you already try?
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
27 Mar 18
@Courage7 Still she could be stopped if you prove senior abuse---hopefully.
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
26 Mar 18
@MarymargII Oh no, she is a sociopath..no compassion. My Mother made the mistake of signing POA with her..she wanted control of my Moms social security. There is nothing any of us can do now with that signed document. Whenever I see the birds, I think of my poor Mom.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
22 Mar 18
Birds prefer a natural atmosphere with trees and all. May be they are missing that.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
23 Mar 18
@MarymargII Also may be with time they will slowly start coming.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
23 Mar 18
I suspect that too- I did have a few plants around but that was't enough I guess!
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Mar 18
@allknowing I'll make sure I put quite a few plants around the feeder to make them feel at home---lol!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
26 Mar 18
@MarymargII This morning I have seen some goldfinches to my feeder, they are so colorful and cute.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
26 Mar 18
I love to watch and see if there are any colourful or rare ones. We had a few feeders when we lived more north in the country and we got a surprise every once and a while. 
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
27 Mar 18
@LadyDuck I love those little goldfinches too and other colourful finches- may buy some finch food this Spring too!
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48942)
• United States
22 Mar 18
I wish i could help you out. Hopefully someone knows.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48942)
• United States
29 Mar 18
@MarymargII no, I just toss crumbs and feed out in my yard for the birds.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
11 Apr 18
@Tampa_girl7 ha! They will like that and come looking for more-- looking forward to Spring.
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
29 Mar 18
Thanks- a few did help me out. Do you use bird feeders/
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (79722)
• United States
22 Mar 18
I don't know anything about hummingbirds but hope someone here can help
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
10 Apr 18
So true- this year they may be way more hip! lol!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 Mar 18
I dont know, I have always seen them with no feeders just flowers in the yard.
1 person likes this
@OneOfMany (12150)
• United States
22 Mar 18
I always have to wait a while before I can put out my feeders, or the bear will get them. When they wake up, they love to get some sweet sugar water!
