Walking into your back yard, you see a hummingbird. But, it’s not just any hummingbird; this one is hovering over your broken nectar feeder. You can imagine the hummingbird is possibly confused, wondering what happened to the food. You might think to yourself, why do hummingbirds keep coming back to an empty feeder? You are witnessing the Home Spot theory in action.
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Check PriceMany people have experienced this same scenario. With a shiny new feeder in clear view a couple feet away from the window, it can be confusing why there are no little visitors. The good news is, if you learn some basics of mansion behavior, the little visitors will return.
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The Home Spot Theory Explained
Hummingbirds have strong spatial memory. They don’t just seek out red colors; they remember specific 3D locations of all nectar sources.
This ability to map out locations is astonishing! Hummingbirds are able to recall which specific flowers have the most nectar, the times the flowers refill, and of course, the locations of those flowers. They are even able to remember the exact GPS coordinates of your feeder! The Home Spot Theory suggests that a hummingbird’s spatial memory is more dominant than its other memory systems. They remember the location of the food source, just not the food source.
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Why Your New Feeder Is Being Ignored
It can be frustrating to see birds ignore your lovely new feeder. You may think they don’t like its shape and new perches. They are, in fact, ignoring the feeder’s location. Birds see the feeder and know, just based on their instinct, that it doesn’t fit.
Hummingbirds do the same things every day. Every day, they visit the same branches in search of nectar, despite the nectar not being there. As a result, they won’t visit your feeder if it has been moved to a different location. They aren’t angry at you for not visiting your feeder. They are simply re-adjusting their mental maps.
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Check PriceStep-by-Step: How to Introduce a New Feeder
Once you understand how hummingbirds navigate, changing feeders gets easier. No tools or special equipment are needed to switch it up. Just follow these tips for the birds to find their new feeding location.
Feeder Transition Checklist
- The quickest way to get birds to start using your new feeder is to place it in the exact same spot as the old one.
- If you have to move the feeding station, first hang the new feeder in the old location. After the birds start using it, move the feeder a few feet a day until it arrives at the new location.
- Keep the nectar fresh: Make sure the new feeder is filled with a simple, fresh batch of homemade nectar (four parts water to one part white sugar).
- Add a temporary visual cue: If the new feeder is a completely different color or style, tie a small red ribbon to the pole for the first few days to catch their attention.
Planting a Natural Backup
Feeders can break or fall, and at times may need to be taken down for cleaning. To keep your hummingbirds coming to your yard, it’s a good idea to plant a natural backup. Native pollinator plants will provide a constant food source for your hummingbirds that will never break or leak.
Hummingbirds are very fond of tubular flowers that are built to hold a lot of nectar. Depending on where you live and what your growing zone is you can try planting cardinal flower, bee balm, or coral honeysuckle. These native species of plants will create a permanent waypoint in the mental maps of your local hummingbirds. When your feeder is out of commission they will still receive the necessary energy from your garden.
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Check PriceGive It Time
With birdwatching, patience is key. If you see old feeders, do not worry, keep the feeder clean and try to give the birds a few days to come back and feed. The birds will update their inner map to come to the feeders.
