Hummingbirds can frustrate everyone who hangs out feeders in their yard. It can be especially confusing when these little birds seem interested in the feeder, but choose not to feed. The good news is that when a hummingbird is hovering by a feeder, it doesn't mean they don't want to feed. Hummingbirds are attempting to communicate to you that there is something wrong with the feeder, and in almost all cases, the problem is something you can fix in a few minutes.
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Check PriceThe Mystery of the Curious but Cautious Hummingbird
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Hummingbirds are really picky eaters, and they have a good reason for being that way. They have a very high metabolism that requires them to get a lot of high quality nectar. So while a hummingbird may fly up to your feeder and then not drink, they aren't being picky. They are protecting themselves from bad food.
It's good to see that a bird is showing interest and investigating your feeder. You feeder placement is working. The spot is accessible and visible. The problem may be the nectar or the feeder itself. Once you correct the problem, those curious visitors will become regular diners.
You could consider it this way: if a hummingbird doesn’t drink from a feeder, it’s similar to you opening a fridge and immediately smelling something rotten. You’d check it out, but you wouldn’t actually eat anything. Just like that, hummingbirds have an amazing memory and good enough senses to avoid feeders that don’t meet their expectations.
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Check PriceNectar Quality – The Reason Most Often Cited
The main reason that hummingbirds reject feeders is rotten and improperly mixed nectar. Even if the nectar is clear, hummingbirds can sense fermentation, contamination, and dangerous sugar levels.
Spoiled nectar is the biggest culprit. In warm temperatures, sugar water can ferment as quickly as 48 hours. Once the fermentation starts, harmful bacteria and yeast are created, which can be very dangerous for the hummingbirds. If you’ve had your feeder outside for 3 days and the temperatures are over 70 degrees F, or 1-2 days at 90 degrees, dump the nectar and refill it with a fresh batch. The nectar is ready to be replaced if it’s cloudy, there are particles visible, and it has a sour smell.
Having the wrong mixture ratio will also get your feeder rejected. The absolute best combination is four parts water to one part white granulated sugar—nothing more, nothing less. If the mixture is too strong, it can be difficult for the birds to digest. On the other hand, if the mixture is too dilute it won’t provide enough calories. Honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, and red dye should never be used. These additives are harmful to the birds and will cause them to avoid your feeder.
Water quality is very important, and in some cases, more than people think. If you are using tap water filled with chlorine or other chemicals, the hummingbirds might be able to tell. If you think this is the case, try using filtered or bottled water. When mixing nectar, always bring water to a boil to dissolve sugar completely and kill any bacteria, then let it cool before filling feeders.
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Issues with Feeders and Problems with Maintenance
Hummingbirds will not visit a feeder even if it is filled with the best nectar. A dirty feeder will send them away. These little birds have incredible eyesight and will avoid a feeder if it looks dirty or contaminated.
Fungal and microbial build-up can happen in a very short amount of time. If there is black mold around the feeding ports of your hummingbird feeder, they will not return to visit. Be sure to clean your feeder every time you fill it. In warm weather, you will be filling your feeder every two to three days, so be sure to scrub it really well with hot water and a bottle brush to clean it. For the best clean, use a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water and scrub the entire feeder with that. Make sure to rinse the feeder out really well to remove all vinegar before using the feeder again. Do not use soap to clean your feeder, as the petroleum residue can be harmful to the birds and can potentially be very difficult to remove from the small feeding ports.
Pro Tip
5-Minute Cleaning Routine: 1) Dispose of old nectar. 2) Rinse feeder with hot water. 3) Use a small brush to scrub the ports. 4) Rinse and refill. Clean nectar feeders every 2-3 days during warm weather.
When bees, wasps, and ants invade feeders, it causes additional problems. While hummingbirds will check out a feeder swarmed by bugs, they won't fight for access. To keep ants out, you can make an “ant moat” by placing a small cup filled with water above the feeder. For wasps and bees, use feeders that have bee guards, or go with a saucer style feeder where the nectar is below the feeding port, so the bugs can’t reach the nectar.
Feeders may have some design flaws that can be disconcerting. Some models may be a bit too complicated for the average hummingbird. This is particularly true for inexpensive feeders that have stiff feeding ports and poor perching design. If you’ve ruled out other issues, ask yourself if it’s the feeder that is the problem. Typically, the saucer-style feeders will be easier to clean and less likely to leak and cause contamination than the inverted bottle-style feeders.
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Check PriceEnvironmental Elements and When to Respond
The problem may not be with your feeder. It could be timing, territory issues, or nature’s abundance.
Food sources for hummingbirds are most abundant during certain seasonal peaks. During mid-to-late summer, for example, flowering native plants of the region bloom and provide plentiful nectar sources. While hummingbirds may stop by your feeder to check on it out of curiosity, and may visit your feeder out of habit, they likely are choosing to visit natural sources instead. This is, in fact, a good and healthy decision. Keep your feeders stocked with fresh nectar as they will return to feeders when natural nectar sources are depleted, which usually coincides with migration periods.
If hummingbirds are interested in a feeder, but don’t seem to be using it, it could be due to a territorial dispute. Dominant male hummingbirds will dive bomb any bird attempting to feed from 'their' feeder. To prevent this aggression, it is recommended to place multiple feeders around the perimeter of your house, especially out of line of sight feeders. This will create safe feeding opportunities for the less aggressive birds and females.
Did You Know?
A dominant male hummingbird may guard a feeder so aggressively that no other birds are able to feed from it. The solution to this isn’t a bigger feeder, but rather several smaller feeders placed out of sight of the aggressive male.
Feeding behaviors are also influenced by weather extremes. In response to storms or unexpectedly cold weather, hummingbirds may start to feed less often and are known to conserve their energy. In case of extreme heat, nectar spoils quickly. As a result, birds can be seen avoiding feeders that haven’t been refreshed multiple times during the day.
Here's your action plan step by step: Use a new correct 4:1 ratio nectar, deep clean your feeder with a mix of hot water and vinegar, then rinse it well before refilling it. For the feeder to be easier to keep clean, hang it in a shaded area. Make a commitment to changing the nectar every two to three days, especially in hot weather, to avoid the pests. Improvement can be expected after a day or two.
If the hummingbirds keep investigating the feeders but are still not drinking, then perhaps you will need to consider an upgrade to your feeder design to accommodate a wider variety of birds, or if hummingbirds are being territorial, you may need to add a second feeder. If you maintain the feeders and provide fresh nectar regularly, those curious visitors are bound to become regular guests. Happy birding!
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