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The Reason Fewer Hummingbirds Might Be Coming To
Your Feeder
By BARBARA PAVONE
Hummingbirds like their routines, so if you’ve recently replaced an old feeder in your backyard, your feathered friends can take up to two weeks to start using the new one.
Everything from the way they have to land on the feeder to how they drink from it may be different from what they're accustomed to, and they'll need time to figure it out.
If you live on the East Coast or in the Midwest, hang your feeders before hummingbirds start to arrive in March so they don't get used to visiting others in the area instead.
If hummingbirds are continuously ignoring your new feeder, even after two weeks, try moving it closer to flowers or plants in your yard while removing all other existing feeders.
Lupines, for instance, are hummingbird magnets, and these birds can't get enough of beardtongues, so if you have either growing in your garden, move the feeder closer to them.
You can also temporarily increase your nectar’s sweetness to draw the birds to the new feeder. Homemade nectar usually consists of four parts boiling water to one part white sugar.
Or make the feeder itself more attractive to them by covering the outside of your dispenser with decorations, such as a red ribbon. Lastly, don't skimp on weekly cleanings.