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One simple mistake could be making your hummingbirds sick right now. These 10 feeding errors are more common than you think, but the shocking truth about mistake #1 will change how you set up feeders forever.

10. Leaving Feeders Out During Cold Weather or Cold Nights

Take your feeder down once it gets cold. Several issues can happen that will impact your hummingbirds’ enjoyment and may even damage your purchase.

Metal feeders can become moist and cold, leading to rust that can ruin your purchase. Even worse, birds may eat this rust and become sick.

Your sugar water can freeze over, leaving disappointed and hungry hummingbirds. Your feeder can also develop icicles, potentially weighing it down and making it fall.

If you live in a region with overwintering hummingbirds (such as Anna’s Hummingbirds in the Pacific Northwest), a feeder heater can be a lifesaver. These small devices attach to the bottom of your existing feeder and use a low-wattage bulb to gently warm the nectar, preventing it from freezing without overheating it.

9. Setting Out Feeders in Incompatible Times

Learning the ideal time can shift depending on your state and climate. However, there are general tips that can help you attract consistent hummingbirds.

While most hummingbirds are scarce during winter, some birds benefit from feeders set out ahead of schedule. Leaving your feeder out during summer and early fall is your best bet.

You can sometimes hang up your feeder during winter if you notice an active population during colder months. Just make sure to follow the previous tip about cold weather!

8. Putting the Feeder in Incompatible Locations

Putting your hummingbird feeder just anywhere won’t work. You need to think about where hummingbirds are most active and possible safety issues.

Below are pitfalls to avoid when setting up your feeder.

Too Close to a Window

If you put your hummingbird feeder too close to a window, your feathered visitors could crash into the glass. Birds can’t always see windows very well, and territorial birds may attack their own reflection.

If you love watching hummingbirds up close but worry about window collisions, anti-collision window decals are an easy fix. These UV-reflective clings make the glass visible to birds while still letting you enjoy the view from inside.

Too Close To Other Bird Feeders

Ever heard of ‘bully birds’? Other wild bird species may get territorial if they see hummingbirds in their space, potentially scaring them off or even attacking them.

Far Away From Trees

Hummingbirds need to hide when predators or too many birds come by. Placing your hummingbird feeder near trees will help them feel safer, encouraging them to come back for more.

7. Not Using Feeders With Protective Features

Sometimes birders get so excited to invite birds to their backyard that they overlook important feeder features. Protective features can make birding more enjoyable by keeping problems away.

Here are features you should look for when buying a feeder:

Bee Guards

Bees love sugar water. Sadly, they can sometimes get stuck in the feeder and block the hummingbirds’ feeding station. A bee guard looks like a little cage placed over the feeding ports, making it impossible for even small bees to get inside.

Ant Guards (or Ant Moats)

Another feature I highly recommend is the ant guard. Also known as an ant moat, many brands use a chemical mixture that attracts ants away from the sugar water.

Ant guards are easy to place above a hummingbird feeder where ants may climb down from a branch or rooftop. Since it’s away from the food, you won’t have to worry about birds eating it.

Roof (Or Cover)

If you live in a rainy or snowy area, this little covering can keep your hummingbird friends dry. These also work as shade in hot weather, so it’s a win-win all around.

The best feeders combine all of these protective features into one thoughtful design. A saucer-style feeder with a built-in ant moat and bee-resistant ports saves you from having to buy accessories separately, and the HighView perch design gives you an unobstructed view of the birds while they feed.

6. Using the Wrong Materials To Clean Your Feeder

Rinsing off your feeder with warm water isn’t good enough! You need to regularly use disinfectants, hot water, and good scrubbing to keep your feeder clean.

Try these solutions to keep your feeders clean year-round.

Perfume-Free Soap and Water Is a Well-Rounded Cleaner

Does your feeder have dirt, dust, or sticky insects? A little perfume-free soap (such as dish soap) and water work great for the job.

Remember to take your feeder apart so you can get between the cracks for anything that might have slipped in. Depending on the material, you may even be able to soak your feeder for extra bacteria-fighting benefits.

Plastic and glass can be soaked, but wipe down a metal feeder thoroughly so you don’t get rust build-up. If you have any wooden parts on your feeder, make sure to dry those quickly too — you don’t want mold!

White Vinegar Is Best for Mold

Do you suspect mold growing on your feeder? Soap and water won’t work — you’ll need to use white vinegar, a liquid that can kill the mold spores so they don’t grow back again.

Vinegar is widely preferred as a tough cleaning solution since it’s safer to handle than bleach.

Bleach and Water Is a Heavy Duty Solution

If you suspect bird droppings on your feeder, bleach and water is a reliable option to keep germs away. Just make sure to wear gloves and a protective mask so you don’t accidentally splash yourself.

Remember to never mix bleach with anything other than plain water. Mixing bleach with ammonia-based cleaners or hydrogen peroxide can create toxic gases or acids.

No matter which cleaning method you use, having the right brushes makes all the difference. A dedicated feeder cleaning kit with brushes sized specifically for nectar bottles and feeding ports will get into spots that a regular sponge can’t reach.

5. Not Cleaning Your Feeder Regularly

Once you get in the habit of adding fresh hummingbird sugar water to your feeder, you’ll find it easier to clean regularly. A clean feeder is a beloved feeder — a dirty one is the opposite!

Several issues can create a dirty feeder:

General Dirt and Grime

Hummingbirds can sometimes bring a little dirt when perching on a feeder. Over time, this can lead to a grimy feeder that becomes less appealing to feed at (or look at!).

Insects Crawling Around the Feeder

Insects love bird feeders just as much as birds do. Some of the more common insects you’ll see crawling or flying around the feeder are:

• Ants
• Flies
• Bees
• Gnats

Insects sometimes get stuck too and can even clog up the feeding station.

Bird Droppings

Not a pleasant detail to think about, but an important one! Bird droppings are a frustrating issue for birders and can even be a health hazard if you don’t clean them quickly.

Bird droppings can spread various viruses and parasites if left alone. You’ll need to be extra careful when cleaning off your feeder, such as using a bleach and water solution.

4. Not Refilling Your Feeder Regularly

If you’re a busy birder juggling family, school, or other hobbies, you may forget to fill your feeder. While the occasional slip-up won’t be a problem, constantly forgetting can have birds skipping over your backyard for other options.

This step requires some trial-and-error to see how much activity you get. If you just have one feeder that only sees a little activity, refilling it every three to four days is usually enough.

However, very active feeders may need you to refill them every other day. There’s no shame in setting an alarm on your phone so you don’t forget.

Refilling your feeder isn’t just a practical habit to keep birds visiting. You need to make sure you’re not leaving nectar to sit for long periods, leading to spoilage in the summer or freezing in the winter.

3. Using Food Coloring To Attract Hummingbirds

Another rookie mistake that can hurt your hummingbirds is using food dye to attract them. Food coloring may seem harmless, but it’s linked to health issues for all sorts of animals.

Recent medical research suggests common food dye can cause inflammatory bowel issues in animals and humans, among other things.

While it’s true that hummingbirds are more attracted to red, orange, and yellow colors, you don’t need food dye for that. Choosing a bird feeder with a warm color will do all the work needed to attract hummingbirds to your patio or backyard.

A vibrant red glass feeder is the safest and most effective way to catch a hummingbird’s eye. The glass itself provides the color attraction, so you can fill it with plain, clear sugar water and still have hummingbirds lining up to visit.

2. Using the Wrong Kind of Sugar in Your Feeder

You don’t need fancy ingredients for hummingbird feed. Plain white sugar and clean water work perfectly. Getting creative with your bird feeder ingredients will cause hummingbirds to eat what they shouldn’t or avoid your feeder completely.

Never use these ingredients:

• Light brown sugar
• Dark brown sugar
• Honey
• Sugar substitutes (like Splenda)

If you have extra time, plant some hummingbird-friendly plants in your garden or backyard.

1. Using the Wrong Sugar To Water Ratio

The most common beginner mistake is creating the wrong sugar water mix. Getting the right ratio can be tricky, but it becomes second nature with practice.

Use one part sugar to four parts water. This recipe works no matter how many feeders you have. For example, use one cup of white sugar with four cups of water, or a half cup of sugar with two cups of water.

Too little sugar won’t appeal to hummingbirds, while too much sugar makes the mixture too thick and syrupy.

A larger capacity feeder makes it easier to mix and pour the correct ratio without wasting nectar. A 30-ounce glass feeder with a wide-mouth bottle is ideal for getting the proportions right and reducing the mess during refills.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hummingbird Feeding

How often should I change hummingbird nectar?

Change nectar every 2-3 days in hot weather (above 80°F) and every 4-5 days in cooler weather. If you see any cloudiness, mold, or smell fermentation, change it immediately. Fresh nectar is crucial for hummingbird health.

Can I use tap water for hummingbird nectar?

Yes, tap water is fine in most areas. If your tap water is heavily chlorinated or has a strong taste, let it sit out overnight before using, or use filtered water. Avoid distilled water as it lacks beneficial minerals.

What’s the best time of day to fill feeders?

Fill feeders early morning before hummingbirds become active. They often feed heavily at dawn and again before dusk. Avoid filling during the hottest part of the day when nectar spoils fastest.

How do I keep ants away from my hummingbird feeder?

Use an ant moat filled with water above your feeder, apply petroleum jelly to the hanger, or choose feeders with built-in ant guards. Never use insecticides near feeders as they can harm hummingbirds.

Seasonal Hummingbird Feeding Tips

Understanding seasonal patterns helps you provide the best care for hummingbirds throughout the year. During spring migration (March-May), put feeders out early to help arriving birds refuel. This is when they need energy most after their long journey.

Summer feeding (June-August) requires more frequent cleaning and refilling due to heat. Check feeders daily and consider adding shade to prevent rapid spoilage. This is also when you might see baby hummingbirds learning to use feeders.

Fall preparation (September-November) is crucial for birds building fat reserves for migration. Keep feeders up longer than you think necessary — some late migrants depend on reliable food sources. Don’t worry about preventing migration by keeping feeders up; birds migrate based on daylight changes, not food availability.

Signs Your Hummingbird Feeder Setup Is Working

You’ll know you’re doing things right when you see regular visitors throughout the day. Healthy hummingbird activity includes multiple birds visiting (though they may chase each other — that’s normal territorial behavior), birds hovering and feeding calmly, and return visits to the same feeder.

Watch for aggressive behavior that might indicate overcrowding. If you see constant fighting, consider adding a second feeder at least 15 feet away from the first. Some dominant males will guard multiple feeders, so placing them out of sight from each other works best.

Emergency Hummingbird Care

Sometimes you might find a hummingbird that seems sick, injured, or exhausted. Never attempt to handle the bird yourself. Instead, contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center immediately. They have the expertise and proper permits to help wild birds.

If you must provide temporary help while waiting for professional assistance, offer a shallow dish of fresh 1:4 sugar water nearby (not directly to the bird). Keep pets and people away, and place the bird in a quiet, dark, well-ventilated box if it can’t fly.

Keep Your Birds Happy and Healthy With Good Feeding Habits

These hummingbird feeding mistakes may seem difficult to remember, but they’ll all become instinct with practice. The goal of these tips is to ensure your hummingbirds are healthy and you enjoy your hobby to the fullest.

Always pay close attention to your hummingbirds. You may notice certain behaviors or periods of activity that could change your setup for the better. For example, some hummingbird populations are more active during late summer. This could mean refilling your feeders more often or even buying another to meet demand.

Remember, consistency is key. Hummingbirds will learn to depend on your feeders, especially during migration periods. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll create a safe haven that supports these amazing birds throughout their annual cycle.

Want to keep learning about hummingbirds? You’ll enjoy the following posts:

• 8 Mistakes in Choosing Hummingbird Feeders (and How to Avoid Them)
• Do Hummingbirds Like Morning Glories: A Natural Oasis
• How Much Do Hummingbirds Weigh? The Facts and Figures!

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