My wife has the same kind of feeder I think you said is your favorite.... Glass with a plastic base. They get HOPELESSLY stuck together sometimes. I have to take them out to the shop and clamp them down. I use an oil filter wrench, the kind with a strap that wraps around it.... Anyway, do you have any suggestions? Has this ever even happened to you?
One year, I was late in getting my Feeder Up. A humming bird came by as I was out on my deck, flew to the bracket the feeder used to be on, flew over to me, chortled, then flew back to the bracket, chortled again, and then came back and hovered in front of my face chortling some more. I got the message, went to the store, got some sugar and set the feeder up.
Had an experience with orioles pecking on my window , I'm guessing because the feeder wasn't out yet. They did the same thing a couple years before too. 😆
I have had feeders for over 2 months and haven't seen any yet... I make my nectar too. Keep the feeders clean and well supplied. Am I missing them somehow?
Many years ago, two days after moving from east coast to California, I was standing on my balcony and this giant "bug" flew next to my head. I went running into the house and told my husband, "If that was a mosquito I want to go back to Boston!!" LOL It was a hummingbird. I'd never seen one before. Now I love them and feed them regularly. They still buzz me when the feeder is low but I no longer mind. Thank you for your video.
My mother loved hummingbirds. She always had hummingbird feeders out. She was like you, she started with one showing up and then she had so many that when you walked out the door you got head bombed. Mom loved how their colors were so brilliant and so colorful. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful video with all of us. ❤️ I miss my mom.
I started with Hummers when I became a stay-at-home Mom. My first was about 18 months old and I bought my first bird feeder ever. We watched through the cold winter months as the feathered friends gobbled up seeds. Then, come Spring, we graduated to hummers. He was nearly 2 by then and had a longer attention span. Birding (especially Hummers) have been a part of my life for over 50 years now.
@@artiejohnson703 understandable, then the hummingbirds must have already flown away to look for other places. Hummingbirds are fed with sugar water, there are a lot of videos on RUclips from professionals on how to make food, how to wash feeders and the like.
I always get feeders that have a perch for them to sit at while drinking, I’m sure it gets tiresome for them to keep flapping their lil Wings while drinking
Especially in the spring, I get what I think are babies that just sit there and look around for minutes at a time. All summer though, I get hummers that like to perch and hang out. I love it when they do that!
Thanks for posting this. I'm a newbie at hummingbirds. When we bought this house 8 years ago, there were no trees, no fruit bushes and no gardens. Each year we add trees, fruit bushes and add to our gardens. Two years ago I started hanging feeders. To my joy many many varieties of birds have moved in. This year I bought my first hummingbird feeder. What an adventure!
Yesterday the 1st hummingbird showed up to my kitchen window! They are so smart, letting me know they are back & I got the feeders out last night. I had to come back to your videos for a refresher!❤
I started feeding hummingbirds as a kid after one hovered a couple inches from my face. It was like he asked, so I had to oblige. Loved them ever since.
I have had them curiously looking at me too! I stick out my tongue, but they don't care. I've even blown the 'raspberry'. No response from them. I think they like our company.
Ny mother loved humming birds she passed away from a brain tumor and humming birds always come fly around my deck and i believe that's my mother checking up on me.❤
I love your channel! I’ve kept feeders out every year for 10 or more years, now I have a certified wildlife habitat and your advise and how to guides are like gold to me. Thank you for sharing your passion
My hummingbirds chase each others away. I have a couple feeders and they are apart so gives each one opportunity to feed. I have some dollar tree feeders and will add wire for them to stand on. Great idea!!They are beautiful to watch.
We live in the western part of Arizona. We have two feeders but never more than one hummingbird at a time. They dive bomb each other to protect their territory. From what we can tell we have about 10 different birds that feed. They are not afraid of us though, they feed while we’re close by on the patio. Beautiful to watch. Thank you for the video.
The migration should be in you're area about now. Are you presently get hummingbirds? Just asking, because I'm in southern Colorado and hoping they're almost here. 😁
@@CrispyOkra We’ve actually been feeding them since last September. But we’ve seen them pretty much all year round, even in the extreme heat. My wife’s sister lives in Brighton Colorado and feeds them every year too. She’s looking forward to seeing them soon.
I live in SW Michigan. We only have the ruby-throated hummingbird. One at a time on the feeder, lots of protection of a feeder, so I keep three in my yard. I look forward them every spring!
@@f-4gww458 The males will often chase away others around here too, but we got hundreds last year with just two feeders. They all seem to get their fair share.
They are very smart. They recognize you aren’t out to hurt them. I get amazingly close to them as I hang feeders at eye level. They will let me get as close as 12” away. The detail at that distance is vivid. They fly fluttering their tail feathers in a most amusing and unique way. They are total masters of the air yet they cant glide or walk.
OMG I only wish this was in Spanish. Maybe my wife knows how to somehow use an interpreter. She feeds the humming bird daily and the feeders look just like yours. Bless your heart for all the work you went through to produce this video. It's late at night right now and she is watching TV so I'll save this and show it to her in the AM. PS I am an 83 years old a retired Vietnam vet and a retired Police officer. We used to have lots of humming birds, but not many anymore. We live in Marina CA, lucky for us not in the fire area, but close to the ocean. Just today we purchased a bunch of things from Bed Bath and Beyond, and it cost me a small fortune. I vaguely remember saying get what you want baby hmmmmmm. Then off to ACE where we bought a filter for the coffee maker, so all is well.
If you have a Smart T.V , this can be watched on it by subscribing to the RUclips channel and locating this video. This way your wife won't have to sit in front of an ipad or other small screen.
Not only did I purchase my very first hummingbird feeder today, I also bought them a beautiful glass birdbath with a solar powered fountain that floats. The bowl of the fountain was kind of deep so I bought some decorative stones to place in the water to give the birds a place to stand while they bathe. I hope it works out. I love seeing the hummingbirds whizz by :)
@@sallyride3599 Yes & also, for bees & butterflies, simply fill a wide dish or shallow bowl with clean play sand & water, to supply humidity & water for bees & butterflies to sip. You can place some pebbles in the sand for insects to land on, & fill with enough water to keep the sand very moist, with just an 1/8th of water or less on top to sip from.
I love your enthusiasm and I ENJOY listening to you. The last time I put up a feeder it attracted way too many bees. I did research and found that they are attracted to yellow. What I read online, suggested not using any yellow on a feeder. What I did was move the feeder to a different area, more in the shade, and left a yellow container with the sugar water in the place where the feeder had been. It worked pretty well. The hummers easily found the new location, and the bees kept going to the original place. Maybe we just have different bees in Arizona. I have gotten a feeder from the 99 only store, they are always out, people must be watching your youtube.!
We had a family of them show up 2 years ago and when I seen them I went and got 2 feeders. I watched them all summer long while in my garden. I was a wreck all winter long hoping they had decided this was their summer home and that i would see them next year. Last year as soon as the weather broke I rushed to get my feeders out again hoping to see them return. I didn't see them return until mid June. It was like a weight was lifted when I seen mama hovering infront of my kitchen window one morning. So, here I am again chomping at the bit to get my old feeders and a few new feeders back up and my garden going hoping to see them and the bees back soon. Thank you for bringing up ants and how to combat them. I will absolutely be putting that to use this summer!
We absolutely love our hummingbirds and y’all are right, if the juice isn’t there they let you know! Saw my first one for the season this morning and if I didn’t know better, I swear she was pregnant bc it was the fattest hummingbird I’d ever seen. We sit on our porch and they just put on a show! I could watch them all day.
I appraised a home in Granite Bay Ca. It had a wraparound deck on two sides of the house. I believe there were around 20 feeders with birds in every port. He went through 10 LBS of sugar a day. I have never seen so many. What a beautiful sight off of a greenbelt. A beautiful view with hundreds of hummers.
I've never felt such joy and peace every evening sitting outside while my ruby throats swarm my 8 feeders. They've even started hovering and peeking in my kitchen window to see if I'm making them more nectar. I call them 'my little tweaked out maniacs' because well, they are LOL. Robbie, you're the patron saint of hummingbirds.
Be aware of the feeders with the metal base as they eventually rust. I tried to clean the base of the rust on mine but I decided to replace it with the plastic feeders. It's a shame because it had a really decorative red glass top. I certainly don't want my little friends drinking rust! I love your very simple wire idea so they can rest while feeding. 🙂❤
I worked for 5 years on and off, went back to school, went back to work...l got too busy to enjoy bird feeding..long story short- I'm home again...so I took out my hummingbird feeder, cleaned it, made my own nectar...found a spot in my yard...then waited, and after a week, just as I was about to give up, I spotted a hummingbird! The first one I'd seen in years!! I am so inspired to keep trying thanks to you! I'm going to buy another feeder and place it in another location...thank you Robbie- you have a calling for sure!
I started in June of '20 with maybe 1 and 9 mos later, I have maybe 5 (in central CA- N of you). Sometimes they come within inches of me. Thank you for the inspiration.
I make my mix 4 water to 1 sugar and boil the mix, This process makes the mix thicker and prevents mold. Constant cleaning, is a must, about an hour a day i sit by the feeders and they come and land on you and sometimes they talk to you Last year 375 pounds of sugar. Each batch = 32 cups of water and 8 cups of Sugar Great fun interacting.
the mold comes from the birds themselves - the nectar & bug contaminants they bring in. Also making the syrup stronger than recommended makes it impossible for some varieties of hummers to drink it :-( The grooves in their tongues can only draw up certain viscosity. Check pro sites like Audubon etc. Always use 4-1; maybe a tiny dab more ;-) Boiling is only needed for impure water. As long as water is potable & hot to insure suspension of sugar - all is well :-) TY for feeding the lil darlings.
OMGosh! LOVE the hummys! We watched ours long enough and saw him sit and scratch behind his 'ear' like a dog...TOO CUTE! Named him Buffy and he looked like he ate another hummy he was so chubby!
Great info. I once went out to the deck to enjoy lunch but before I got started, I popped out my hotdog and to my surprise, a humming bird landed on my hotdog. My fiance said "Why did you let a bird perch on your hotdog?" I told her it happened before I could even put catsup and mustard on it. I washed off my hotdog and ate my lunch.
The $3.67 feeder shown at 5:10 on the video is the best. Easy to clean, has a resting perch for the hummers while they eat. I have had this type for over fifteen years and they are still working great with no leaks. I use a soft rounded brush to clean the inside of the tube and a toothbrush to clean the inside of the well and the feeding ports.
I like the same feeders as you. They are easy to clean, easy to refill, and the hummingbirds and orioles actually use them. Thanks for sharing your experience with us! 🥰
I use the same feeder and my HB’s love them. I stopped feeding my HB’s for a couple of months earlier this year and they left. I have been putting my feeders for about a month now and they are slowly-slowly returning. The HB’s calm me first thing in the morning and make my day happy
The mascara brush for cleaning is genius! I love what you said about cleaning it out like you'd clean you kid's dish. I am currently battling hornets. I have a butterfly net right by them and I catch atleast a dozen hornets a day, but they just keep coming. I wouldn't care, but they deter the hummers!
I have a hummingbird family, two were hatched & raised by the pair that started coming to my place to feed. Still have this common plastic feeder that I clean and refill often, and they don't care what it looks like. Even with the duct tape I used on a spot that cracked a while back. My neighbors are jealous because they don't visit theirs much, LOL. I just love these little guys... and they don't fear me whatsoever... as they fly in a 100mph. 😍 💘🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤
My favorite feeder is the one with the circular perch that goes all the way around and has about 10 feeding holes. I got rid of all the ones that didn’t have perches. And I just pull the yellow flowers off. They don’t care. Like you said, less cleaning.
Good info. I've been feeding hummingbirds in Los Angeles for five years. I like the First Nature 32 ounce feeders (about $8). They have the pop on yellow flowers but I've removed them because they got mold underneath. The hummers don't care. I've got two new ones with the flowers. Even during migration when total strangers show up they don't care. To clean them out, I usually just rinse the base parts with hot water, might rinse out the clear reservoir. If I even think there's any mold growing, smell? I have a container of vinegar. I dip a dish washing in the vinegar, give everything a quick once over, rinse - clean, sterile. I still cook up my nectar. In a 5 quart pot: 3 quarts of water, 4.5 quarts of sugar, bring it to a boil. Wait you say 3+4.5 - 7 quarts. Nope it fits, there's lot of space inside and between the glucose molecules for the tiny water molecules. Takes 26 minutes to boil on my gas stove. I put this in to quart containers. On my 32 ounce feeder reservoirs I've drawn a line at 8 ounces. Fill that up with the nectar base, then to the top with filtered water. If you're going away, take the feeders down rather than let them sit there empty. When you get back and set out fresh feeders hummers flying by will immediately notice and zoom in to feed. I've got a hive of (formerly) killer bees, and I get orioles visiting the feeders - neither can get in. When I used to read every day on my porch about once every hour or so a hummer will hover right next to me. And then if I walk anywhere in my neighborhood they'll swoop into buzz me. When I'm not out there so much they don't get as close. And even with the feeders full, they'll still canvas the flowers.
exactly the info I needed -- several days ago I went to check out the feeders at Home Depot but left without buying one so now I know which one I want (no glass & no extras as I want cleaning to be simple & easy ).
I love Hummingbirds. I bought 3 really cheap feeders last year. They leaked the sugar water out. This year, I'm looking for better feeders. Around here, yellow jackets are a huge problem. Thank you Robbie.
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy I live in NC and we have the same problem with bees. Our feeders had yellow flowers, and I read somewhere that that’s what attracted the bees. I spray painted the flowers red like the rest of the plastic, and believe it or not, no more bees!
Oh, that's good to know! I live in an apartment downstairs, so I could just hang it in my patio where the sun doesn't hit... whenever I get one. My neighbor said I would have to clean it every single day so that's why I've never bought one.
@@Lavenderrose73 NO! I change my nectar about every 4 or 5 days until it gets about mid summer then I change it every 3 days (I live in Central Georgia) so I'm talking 90 degrees then I change it every 3 days...you can smell of it if it has no smell, it will be ok for another day or so.......but I only clean mine real good about once a month. As long as you rinse it out before you refill it, it will be fine. The reason you have to change the nectar is because it will ferment and make your hummingbirds sick.(and drunk) Get one you can take apart and clean easily....I use a few $8 feeders I got at Walmart, perky pet, I think makes them. They come apart so you can clean them with an old toothbrush and a baby bottle brush. I make my own nectar too...saves a lot of money....4 parts water 1 part sugar. I boil 4 cups of water, as soon as it starts boiling good, take it off the heat, pour 1 cup of regular white sugar and stir until the water is clear let it cool and its ready to go. I keep my extra nectar in an old syrup bottle in my refrigerator. Now, if you see any black stuff on your feeder, it needs cleaning. And, if the bees start coming to it, just use a little less sugar in your nectar, usually they will go away.
@@blkmjcwmn61 cool, I have an electric kettle so that'll make the process even easier. I've made simple syrup by heating water up in that thing before. I may need to wait till next month when I get paid again because it's a bit tight this month, but thank you for the tips. I'll certainly remember them.
@@Lavenderrose73 i know how that is, I'm on disability, so I have things I have to wait until I get paid too. I hope you enjoy watching your little hummingbirds like I do mine! The lady that posted this video always has good tips.
Please don’t take this the wrong way but I love you! You’re video is so inspiring because I adore hummingbirds. I usually have hummingbirds that come to my feeder every year but this year I think I put my feeder out too late due to the weather being cooler longer this spring. I also used a bottle of hummingbird food that I had stored in my fridge left over from last year. Thanks to your video, I’ve learned how to make my own food for them, how frequently I should change their food, and how to properly clean their feeder. I’ve been using white vinegar to clean their feeder, I suppose that is wrong too. I look forward to more of your videos, I just love all your beautiful hummingbirds feeding around your home. ❤️🙂
I would not store food in the fridge for more then a few weeks, think of how you would store juice in your fridge. Clean method is really up to you as long as you rinse it really good. Not sure where you are, but with all the fires this year, it seems the birds are moving around a bit different, take care! (Oh, and if the birds came and tested your feeder and the food was old, most likely they would move on to fresher feeders in the area), Thanks
Omg, I hope someday I can have a lot of hummingbirds! Last year I had about 5-6, this year only 1 so far. They are very territorial. But I won't give up, I love watching them, they are so cute! A wonderful gift from God 🙏🙏
I'm looking for a feeder. I used to have a neighbor who had a feeder and I loved watching all the many tiny hummingbirds come and have a drink. When the gentleman was outside the birds would land on him as he was whistling. Beautiful to see. Now I'm ready to find a feeder for my new place.
Thanks to you Robbie, you've made me aware how to select the best, easy to clean hummingbird feeders. I threw out the one feeder who's bottom didn't come apart for proper cleaning. I'm anxiously waiting and ready for them! 🌿💕🌱
I love the beautiful decorative hummingbird feeders and always want to buy them, but then I remember how much of a pain some are and just buy the cheap ones. We've also had better luck with the cheap ones when it comes to leaks too. We start with a couple small ones at the first sighting of a hummingbird and put the big guys out along with the small ones once we are going through the small ones fast. We really need more out these past few summers, but it is too much maintenance for us. We have flowers around front as well that they love so plenty of food to go around.
My favorite is the More Birds Ruby 10oz especially since they updated it with more colorful flowers. It is easy to clean, the birds like it, and has just enough decoration to be pleasing to the eye while still mainly functional. I was cleaning mine with just white vinegar and water 'tea' soaking for at least 20 minutes then thoroughly rinsing with clean water as that did away with any mold issues, but came to discover that ants absolutely love white vinegar just as much as sugar water. Even thoroughly rinsing did not seem to mask the scent to them. Now I'm just using some cheap soap solution and making use of the intense sunlight here to sanitize the feeders before reuse. Bees we have but for some reason they don't go after the feeders. What DOES go after them are the small flying insects like gnats, baby flies, and of course ants. While the Ruby does have a moat it dries rapidly in our Sonoran Desert summer heat. This all started because a year before my dad died my cousin gifted him with a cheap hummer feeder. When he became to frail to keep up with it that chore fell to me. Then a second hummer showed up and they fought so I got a second feeder to put on the other side of the yard. Then another bird and next thing you knew there was a nest glued to our Christmas lights wire smack over our entry and a now there are at least five hanging around my immediate neighborhood, I have six feeders (three to sanitize and three to be filled.) Worst problem is trying to find places that are shaded and yet the cats cant get to them. (I discovered to my dismay that my cats can jump over six feet high. Luckily no damage.) Now I'm wondering about the drought and the soon coming rationing. Worried that the hummers will not make it if I'm forced to stop putting out any feeders at all. Human family has to come first if push comes to shove. Will the hummers be able to fly off and find food sources where the drought is not an issue? The whole West is affected now. :(
I love her! Enthusiastic and loves her hummingbirds. They give us such joy to watch and see them thrive. Pull up a chair with some iced tea and let the bird show begin. Hummingbird life ahhhhhhhhh 🤗🤗🤗🤗
I saw a cute little hummingbird outside my window this morning and decided before I go buy a feeder, I'd do a little research first. Your video is fantastic! Thank you for the very useful info!
Thank you so much I'm here in East Texas country and I have mother with (dementia)..shucks we enjoy them they all have a personality too..they are so fun n funny to watch.. thank you so much for giving US this video..luv it 🔥💐👌🏾👌🏾
Thanks so much for all your videos. I've been watching since last summer, I started a bird sanctuary in honor of my mother, and added a hummingbird feeder mid summer. I had a couple visitors, even a few, but I only had a small window feeder. I'm off to get more this week, to be ready for the season! I will be following all the tips I've learned, and I definitely need to get me a soldering iron too! You made me realize how versatile they can be!
I saw a HUMMER the other day + was SHOCKED! So now I need to find my feeders, clean them out and HANG up where I can sit and watch! I have always been fascinated by Hummingbirds. 💙👍
Your videos have been so inspirational. I started out with 1 hummingbird feeder last Fall after all the fires here in Northern California. And last month I had to get another feeder. There are several babies that keep flying in to feed. I think they have a nest nearby. Watching them feed has been the perfect antidote to a depressing 2020 I tell ya. I can now count about 10-12 hummingbirds and my parents have enjoyed them just as much as I have and it’s lead to so many wonderful conversations. They get so excited to see them fly in and drink up. Thank you for all the tips. 💕🌺
What I can't imagine is for this lady to devote so much time, buying, fixing , making feeders along with preparing the mixture. That's,a full time job! I,only have two on my porch and have to fill,them every day!! And sometimes I,just get tired and forget....not all,the time, but with my,schedule ( and I don't work outside my home) I kind of,want to quit. This takes dedication not including all those hummingbird baths she's always coming up with. I don't have the heart to stop...but if I get another animal for my home to stay here..the hummingbirds will have to go to Robbies for food and a bath! 😊
I live in Minnesota where the hummers arrive the first week of May. I have perhaps a dozen birds that come to my feeder but I only see one of two at a time and never more than one at the feeder. They are hugely territorial! The bird at the feeder will get dive-bombed within a minute of arriving. Their antics are such fun to watch!
It looks like Paradise at ur place. I love hummingbirds, I sit in my backyard n just watch them . Their breathtaking n watching them relaxs my soul. I would feel like alil kid in a toy store if I had as many as you. N the trust they have within you is priceless. Again ty so much for sharing ur videos with us😍
I agree with you, Robbie. "First Nature" feeders are also our favorite. My wife and I have been feeding hundreds of Ruby Throats for about 20 years. Thank you for the great RUclips channel.
We’ve tried many. Our favorite is the one that is a simple tube with the big flowers on the bottom and the little spots to sit. It’s easy to take apart and clean and they like it. You showed it in the video. Our humming birds are very territorial and won’t eat together though. I wish they did.
I have been feeding hummingbirds here in Ohio for years too. I don’t have anywhere near as many birds as you do but I have had times where I’ve had more than a dozen! First Nature are my favorite feeders too, for the exact reason you mentioned, they’re easy to clean. I use a toothbrush and toothpicks to clean them, I will be buying a mascara brush, that’s brilliant! Thanks!
I use a pipe cleaner to clean in the small holes. Vety inexpensive for a dozen. I cut one pipe cleaner into small pieces that way I can throw away it away after it's been used.
Thanks for the tip about the ant moat. I didn't know I needed one, till I got overwhelmed with cleaning ants out of my 3 piece feeder. My hummers won't feed with the ants in their nectar!
Regarding ants- what I have found out is that once I hang the full feeder and tilt it a little to get the nectar to all of the "flowers" if I take my garden house and lightly rinse off the entire feeder, including the bottom, and then spray a little water on the ground, under it, I don't have ant problems. This has been working great for the last couple of years. The ants can "smell" the excess sugar on the outside of the feeder and they are able to "put together" the fact that the sugar water on the ground came from the feeder, above. Dilute all that sugar with fresh hose water and they go away. Just takes a light misting on all sides and a light misting on the ground to dilute everything.
Mine do that so much & even fly down to ground one behind another right next to my fur babies (my fur babies never try to harm them)….. They will even fly infringe of mine or my husband’s face just watching us a few second’s, also love to hand feed them…..
Good suggestions. We love our visitors. One time we got an “angry bird” hummer that guarded the feeder. Had to get another and place it out of sight. Fun watching them. They can be very bold if they feel safe (get extra close to you).
I would love to share this very informative video with my mom. She’s been trying hard to attract hummingbirds. Please add Closed Captions to this video for her.
I am so inspired by this video! I love my hummingbirds and now I can have more! I am so excited to try making the planter feeders! You're awesome, thank you for sharing this information.❤️
I have hummingbird feeders and garden plants they love . This year starting my butterfly garden . Bringing in bird feeders for the summer,they have a big choice of food to eat . I do have birdbaths all over . They all give me so much joy ❤
Thank you for all the great info. Love how you keep it so simple & easy. Makes it all the more enjoyable. Learned something very interesting about Hummingbirds the other day. Their brain makes up 1/4 of their body weight. They are so intelligent that they will remember every feeder & group of flowers they have fed from their whole life! Pretty Amazing little Gems💖
In Washington state, the rufous hummingbirds we have don't migrate! When it snowed, I had to keep two feeders going alternatively because one would freeze, then I'd replace it with the thawed out feeder. They are at the feeder at the first crack of light, so I had to be ready. I was so afraid they'd die. So if you're lover of hummers in the Pac NW, please don't stop feeding them in the fall, spring and winter! They need you the most then! 🙂 And thank you for mentioning not using red dye! When you mentioned that, I knew you were a pro! 🎖
@Blue Eyes I live in WA too. The Rufous do migrate, it’s the Anna’s that don’t. 😊 The nectar won’t freeze until 27 degrees, which I just found out last year. BUT they have hummingbird feeder heaters you can buy! You can also DIY one. But with only a couple being around, one should be fine! I’ve had mine for a few years, and it just uses a little nightlight bulb. Works great!! I got it at Wild Birds Unlimited. For me it’s easier than bringing in every night to keep from freezing, because I always end up either forgetting to bring in, or forget to bring it out first thing! And no, it doesn’t heat it. Just keeps it from freezing. 💜
I read to put a child's small tube sock on the feeder. Just cut the heal off. Place the sock on the feeding tube. This will catch the stragglers flying to Mexico.
We only have one feeder in our backyard on Whidbey Island, WA. However, our Rufus hummers overwinter here, so I leave the feeder up all year. The Anna’s have just returned! Thanks for the tips on cleaning the feeder. The mascara wand is a great idea!
I’m up north so I have to wait till late April early may to put my hummingbird feeders out an I’m ready. I have 2 fountains in my front yard never seen a hummingbird go in it but I have seen all the other birds go into it. And I will put a feeder in the back yard so I’m planning on make a DIY one with the solar pump I’m excited.
Great video! Always thought feeders needed flowers to draw humming birds. You’ve covered this very well. Plus feeder location and cleaning tips are well presented. Thanks for sharing your experienced advice in an awesome video.
Thank you, my wife wants to start feeding humming birds. We have been feeding finch’s cardinals and all others that come by for years, but haven’t got a feeder for hummingbirds yet. Glad I saw your video thanks for making it.
Hmm, kinda like the idea of making one too. I have one you recommended, it's available from home depot. It's been so interesting putting up a feeder not really knowing if/when a hummer might stop by. And now sometimes there's like a happy hour with a number of birds coming around.
Thanks for sharing, Robbie. Good info. Thanks for leaving time at the end to watch the birds, especially feeding on your hand. Remarkable. I always enjoy your channel. Have a great day. Blessings
You are lucky that you are up high and don’t have a squirrel problem! My favorite feeders are the Dollar Tree feeders, the squirrels don’t have a “seat” and have a harder time hanging on. They are easy to clean, and my hummers seem to like them. Thanks for the video, waiting for my beauties!
Nice video! Thank you. I'm still waiting for my first hummer here East of StL this year. I start with a few of your favorite feeders each spring and ramp up to 8 of them. Yes, they like larger feeding holes. And perches. Feeders don't need to be fancy, just easy for the little birds to get to. Mid summer, I'll be filling 8 2.5cup feeders daily. And wearing safety glasses to get out my door!
Nice!!!... I moved to St Louis & have only seen a few hummers at the Botanical Garden! 🙏🏽💗 Hope I can attract some to my home! (My grandmother loved them so I think of her every time I see them.)
Great video! I tried the expensive feeders and they can be a pain to clean so I only buy the dollar store one's because they are so easy to clean with a toothbrush and pipe cleaner for the holes and the hummingbirds love them!
Oh wow! 6 is great, as they will build their numbers, and as they have babies, it is the younger ones that will really get to know you, and their kids and their kids...
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy U r doing a great noble deed but don't you think giving then plain water would be better for their health as sugar is not good. You can also keep tiny seeds for them in some feeders.
@@sabihunt3382 I do not know much about Hummingbirds but since a bird's metabolism is very different than a human's metabolism that the correct amount of sugar to water would give them sufficient calories and energy and enable them to thrive. I assume their diet in the wild from nectar is similar to the correct sugar and water ratio in the hummingbird feeders.
WE only use glass here due to the humidity in the Pacific Northwest....cleaned 3 times per week and completely taken apart. Annas hummingbirds are here year round! I feed them all year and when flowers bloom I gauge what they may need but take down some as my home has so so many flowers for them blooming right now.
This video I did may help those with fighting hummingbirds: ruclips.net/video/w78BvVepehY/видео.html
My wife has the same kind of feeder I think you said is your favorite....
Glass with a plastic base.
They get HOPELESSLY stuck together sometimes. I have to take them out to the shop and clamp them down. I use an oil filter wrench, the kind with a strap that wraps around it....
Anyway, do you have any suggestions? Has this ever even happened to you?
Whatkind of wire do you use? Can u show us how to make the seats?
@@Ordinary_1 Here is a video on how to add the wire set: ruclips.net/video/o4ZqwvLZDAA/видео.html
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy thanks!
@@christopherleveck6835 k
One year, I was late in getting my Feeder Up. A humming bird came by as I was out on my deck, flew to the bracket the feeder used to be on, flew over to me, chortled, then flew back to the bracket, chortled again, and then came back and hovered in front of my face chortling some more. I got the message, went to the store, got some sugar and set the feeder up.
True. They communicate with Humans quite well.
Thank for this very helpful info.
That's so sweet.
Had an experience with orioles pecking on my window , I'm guessing because the feeder wasn't out yet. They did the same thing a couple years before too. 😆
@@ekunina5410 a!aaaaaaqa!aaaqqqqqqaqqqa+aaq!aaaqaaaaaaaaaarddfrjii77 7PM o
Holy cow. I can’t believe it. I went and bought two of the feeders she recommended and I had a hummingbird within 2 hours.
Really nice
Its been a week and still no hummingbirds.
@@humphrey_bear_MDC get more feeders they probably just can’t see them
They were always around. You just had nothing for them. 😀
I have had feeders for over 2 months and haven't seen any yet... I make my nectar too. Keep the feeders clean and well supplied. Am I missing them somehow?
Many years ago, two days after moving from east coast to California, I was standing on my balcony and this giant "bug" flew next to my head. I went running into the house and told my husband, "If that was a mosquito I want to go back to Boston!!" LOL It was a hummingbird. I'd never seen one before. Now I love them and feed them regularly. They still buzz me when the feeder is low but I no longer mind. Thank you for your video.
My mother loved hummingbirds. She always had hummingbird feeders out. She was like you, she started with one showing up and then she had so many that when you walked out the door you got head bombed. Mom loved how their colors were so brilliant and so colorful. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful video with all of us. ❤️ I miss my mom.
I understand you,, mine passed away Sept 2020
I started with Hummers when I became a stay-at-home Mom. My first was about 18 months old and I bought my first bird feeder ever. We watched through the cold winter months as the feathered friends gobbled up seeds.
Then, come Spring, we graduated to hummers. He was nearly 2 by then and had a longer attention span.
Birding (especially Hummers) have been a part of my life for over 50 years now.
'
sorry for the question, do you continue to feed the hummingbirds? birds become accustomed to food and may die
@@newfic2290 no, I haven’t feed them in years. If I do, what should I feed them?
@@artiejohnson703 understandable, then the hummingbirds must have already flown away to look for other places. Hummingbirds are fed with sugar water, there are a lot of videos on RUclips from professionals on how to make food, how to wash feeders and the like.
Who else would think of setting a place for hummingbirds to rest while feeding! Great idea, Robbie!
I always get feeders that have a perch for them to sit at while drinking, I’m sure it gets tiresome for them to keep flapping their lil Wings while drinking
@@mechanicswife
Especially in the spring, I get what I think are babies that just sit there and look around for minutes at a time. All summer though, I get hummers that like to perch and hang out. I love it when they do that!
many manufacturers put perches on feeders
Thanks for posting this. I'm a newbie at hummingbirds. When we bought this house 8 years ago, there were no trees, no fruit bushes and no gardens. Each year we add trees, fruit bushes and add to our gardens. Two years ago I started hanging feeders. To my joy many many varieties of birds have moved in. This year I bought my first hummingbird feeder. What an adventure!
I love how these sweet little innocents come to feed from your hands..such a lovely garden.
Yesterday the 1st hummingbird showed up to my kitchen window! They are so smart, letting me know they are back & I got the feeders out last night. I had to come back to your videos for a refresher!❤
I started feeding hummingbirds as a kid after one hovered a couple inches from my face. It was like he asked, so I had to oblige. Loved them ever since.
How. Do I keep hornets away?
@@amykrueger6600 Bee guard feeders should do it. Tiny holes are best for this.
I have had them curiously looking at me too! I stick out my tongue, but they don't care. I've even blown the 'raspberry'. No response from them. I think they like our company.
It happend to me to today inches away from my face outside my window when I was looking outside .
Ny mother loved humming birds she passed away from a brain tumor and humming birds always come fly around my deck and i believe that's my mother checking up on me.❤
So sorry about your mother, and that could be true on the Hummingbirds
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy ty ❤
Same with my dad and cardinals. I always smile when I see a cardinal come by my window.
Hummingbirds just make me smile.
Me too ❤️
The fact that they are nesting right there by the feeders, is awesome. We've wanted to see a nest, for a while.
I love your channel! I’ve kept feeders out every year for 10 or more years, now I have a certified wildlife habitat and your advise and how to guides are like gold to me. Thank you for sharing your passion
My hummingbirds chase each others away. I have a couple feeders and they are apart so gives each one opportunity to feed. I have some dollar tree feeders and will add wire for them to stand on. Great idea!!They are beautiful to watch.
Oh yes, they love the little wire seats ❤️ thanks
We live in the western part of Arizona. We have two feeders but never more than one hummingbird at a time. They dive bomb each other to protect their territory.
From what we can tell we have about 10 different birds that feed. They are not afraid of us though, they feed while we’re close by on the patio. Beautiful to watch.
Thank you for the video.
The migration should be in you're area about now. Are you presently get hummingbirds? Just asking, because I'm in southern Colorado and hoping they're almost here. 😁
@@CrispyOkra
We’ve actually been feeding them since last September. But we’ve seen them pretty much all year round, even in the extreme heat. My wife’s sister lives in Brighton Colorado and feeds them every year too. She’s looking forward to seeing them soon.
I live in SW Michigan. We only have the ruby-throated hummingbird. One at a time on the feeder, lots of protection of a feeder, so I keep three in my yard. I look forward them every spring!
Live in Phoenix, same thing, one maybe two at a time. They chase each other away. Had one land on my hat.
@@f-4gww458
The males will often chase away others around here too, but we got hundreds last year with just two feeders. They all seem to get their fair share.
They are very smart. They recognize you aren’t out to hurt them. I get amazingly close to them as I hang feeders at eye level. They will let me get as close as 12” away. The detail at that distance is vivid. They fly fluttering their tail feathers in a most amusing and unique way. They are total masters of the air yet they cant glide or walk.
OMG I only wish this was in Spanish. Maybe my wife knows how to somehow use an interpreter. She feeds the humming bird daily and the feeders look just like yours. Bless your heart for all the work you went through to produce this video. It's late at night right now and she is watching TV so I'll save this and show it to her in the AM. PS I am an 83 years old a retired Vietnam vet and a retired Police officer. We used to have lots of humming birds, but not many anymore. We live in Marina CA, lucky for us not in the fire area, but close to the ocean. Just today we purchased a bunch of things from Bed Bath and Beyond, and it cost me a small fortune. I vaguely remember saying get what you want baby hmmmmmm. Then off to ACE where we bought a filter for the coffee maker, so all is well.
If you have a Smart T.V , this can be watched on it by subscribing to the RUclips channel and locating this video. This way your wife won't have to sit in front of an ipad or other small screen.
Looks like you type English well.
Not only did I purchase my very first hummingbird feeder today, I also bought them a beautiful glass birdbath with a solar powered fountain that floats. The bowl of the fountain was kind of deep so I bought some decorative stones to place in the water to give the birds a place to stand while they bathe. I hope it works out. I love seeing the hummingbirds whizz by :)
Alhamdulillah, you r a kind soul, keep up ur good work
The pebbles are also a good thing for bees to land and get a much needed drink, and they won't drown in the pool. Pile a few in the center?
Sound very nice! I also feed the Hummingbirds!
@@sallyride3599 Yes & also, for bees & butterflies, simply fill a wide dish or shallow bowl with clean play sand & water, to supply humidity & water for bees & butterflies to sip.
You can place some pebbles in the sand for insects to land on, & fill with enough water to keep the sand very moist, with just an 1/8th of water or less on top to sip from.
@@sallyride3599 ý
I love your enthusiasm and I ENJOY listening to you. The last time I put up a feeder it attracted way too many bees. I did research and found that they are attracted to yellow. What I read online, suggested not using any yellow on a feeder. What I did was move the feeder to a different area, more in the shade, and left a yellow container with the sugar water in the place where the feeder had been. It worked pretty well. The hummers easily found the new location, and the bees kept going to the original place. Maybe we just have different bees in Arizona. I have
gotten a feeder from the 99 only store, they are always out, people must be watching your youtube.!
I read that same info about the yellow and removed them. Now I only buy feeders with colors that don’t include the yellow, it did the trick for me
Good to know about yellow!
We had a family of them show up 2 years ago and when I seen them I went and got 2 feeders. I watched them all summer long while in my garden. I was a wreck all winter long hoping they had decided this was their summer home and that i would see them next year. Last year as soon as the weather broke I rushed to get my feeders out again hoping to see them return. I didn't see them return until mid June. It was like a weight was lifted when I seen mama hovering infront of my kitchen window one morning. So, here I am again chomping at the bit to get my old feeders and a few new feeders back up and my garden going hoping to see them and the bees back soon. Thank you for bringing up ants and how to combat them. I will absolutely be putting that to use this summer!
We absolutely love our hummingbirds and y’all are right, if the juice isn’t there they let you know! Saw my first one for the season this morning and if I didn’t know better, I swear she was pregnant bc it was the fattest hummingbird I’d ever seen. We sit on our porch and they just put on a show! I could watch them all day.
I appraised a home in Granite Bay Ca. It had a wraparound deck on two sides of the house. I believe there were around 20 feeders with birds in every port. He went through 10 LBS of sugar a day. I have never seen so many. What a beautiful sight off of a greenbelt. A beautiful view with hundreds of hummers.
So cool! We have that late in the Fall and Winter 😊❤️
I had a hummingbird come to my kitchen window as I was doing dishes and just sat there and watched me.
It was really cool...
Maybe he was hungry, I don't k
I've never felt such joy and peace every evening sitting outside while my ruby throats swarm my 8 feeders. They've even started hovering and peeking in my kitchen window to see if I'm making them more nectar. I call them 'my little tweaked out maniacs' because well, they are LOL. Robbie, you're the patron saint of hummingbirds.
Be aware of the feeders with the metal base as they eventually rust. I tried to clean the base of the rust on mine but I decided to replace it with the plastic feeders. It's a shame because it had a really decorative red glass top. I certainly don't want my little friends drinking rust! I love your very simple wire idea so they can rest while feeding. 🙂❤
I worked for 5 years on and off, went back to school, went back to work...l got too busy to enjoy bird feeding..long story short- I'm home again...so I took out my hummingbird feeder, cleaned it, made my own nectar...found a spot in my yard...then waited, and after a week, just as I was about to give up, I spotted a hummingbird! The first one I'd seen in years!! I am so inspired to keep trying thanks to you! I'm going to buy another feeder and place it in another location...thank you Robbie- you have a calling for sure!
SO Cool! Enjoy the birds!
I started in June of '20 with maybe 1 and 9 mos later, I have maybe 5 (in central CA- N of you). Sometimes they come within inches of me. Thank you for the inspiration.
I didn't know the orioles would come to these feeders. They are very pretty!
I make my mix 4 water to 1 sugar and boil the mix, This process makes the mix thicker and prevents mold.
Constant cleaning, is a must, about an hour a day i sit by the feeders and they come and land on you and sometimes they talk to you
Last year 375 pounds of sugar. Each batch = 32 cups of water and 8 cups of Sugar
Great fun interacting.
How long do you let yours boil? I usually fix mine the quick way in the microwave
the mold comes from the birds themselves - the nectar & bug contaminants they bring in.
Also making the syrup stronger than recommended makes it impossible for some varieties of hummers to drink it :-( The grooves in their tongues can only draw up certain viscosity. Check pro sites like Audubon etc. Always use 4-1; maybe a tiny dab more ;-)
Boiling is only needed for impure water. As long as water is potable & hot to insure suspension of sugar - all is well :-) TY for feeding the lil darlings.
How long does the solution keep in the refrigerator? When should I throw it out ... 1 week?
OMGosh! LOVE the hummys! We watched ours long enough and saw him sit and scratch behind his 'ear' like a dog...TOO CUTE! Named him Buffy and he looked like he ate another hummy he was so chubby!
Great info. I once went out to the deck to enjoy lunch but before I got started, I popped out my hotdog and to my surprise, a humming bird landed on my hotdog. My fiance said "Why did you let a bird perch on your hotdog?" I told her it happened before I could even put catsup and mustard on it. I washed off my hotdog and ate my lunch.
The $3.67 feeder shown at 5:10 on the video is the best. Easy to clean, has a resting perch for the
hummers while they eat. I have had this type for over fifteen years and they are still working great with no leaks. I use a soft rounded brush to clean the inside of the tube and a toothbrush to clean the inside of the well and the feeding ports.
I like the same feeders as you. They are easy to clean, easy to refill, and the hummingbirds and orioles actually use them. Thanks for sharing your experience with us! 🥰
I use the same feeder and my HB’s love them. I stopped feeding my HB’s for a couple of months earlier this year and they left. I have been putting my feeders for about a month now and they are slowly-slowly returning. The HB’s calm me first thing in the morning and make my day happy
The mascara brush for cleaning is genius!
I love what you said about cleaning it out like you'd clean you kid's dish.
I am currently battling hornets. I have a butterfly net right by them and I catch atleast a dozen hornets a day, but they just keep coming. I wouldn't care, but they deter the hummers!
I have a hummingbird family, two were hatched & raised by the pair that started coming to my place to feed. Still have this common plastic feeder that I clean and refill often, and they don't care what it looks like. Even with the duct tape I used on a spot that cracked a while back. My neighbors are jealous because they don't visit theirs much, LOL. I just love these little guys... and they don't fear me whatsoever... as they fly in a 100mph. 😍 💘🧡💛💚💙💜🤎🖤
You are so lucky to have
All this little beautie's❤
God bless this beautiful little birdies❤
I started seeing hummingbirds come right up to me after my mom died- she loved hummingbirds and always had a red feeder. Thank you
That is beautiful, sounds like Mom was sending you a message of love…❤️
My favorite feeder is the one with the circular perch that goes all the way around and has about 10 feeding holes. I got rid of all the ones that didn’t have perches. And I just pull the yellow flowers off. They don’t care. Like you said, less cleaning.
Hello dear, I’m Steven from Houston, Texas how are you and your family doing with the pandemic issue?
I recently bought a hummingbird feeder and now I have flocks feeding ! Love it
Thank you to play the chirping at end! I'm in Ohio- warm few days ahead and setting feeders tomorrow!
Do you boil the water before adding sugar?
@@beenkissedgoodnight You mix the sugar in with the water & bring it to a boil.
Good info. I've been feeding hummingbirds in Los Angeles for five years. I like the First Nature 32 ounce feeders (about $8). They have the pop on yellow flowers but I've removed them because they got mold underneath. The hummers don't care. I've got two new ones with the flowers. Even during migration when total strangers show up they don't care.
To clean them out, I usually just rinse the base parts with hot water, might rinse out the clear reservoir. If I even think there's any mold growing, smell? I have a container of vinegar. I dip a dish washing in the vinegar, give everything a quick once over, rinse - clean, sterile.
I still cook up my nectar. In a 5 quart pot: 3 quarts of water, 4.5 quarts of sugar, bring it to a boil. Wait you say 3+4.5 - 7 quarts. Nope it fits, there's lot of space inside and between the glucose molecules for the tiny water molecules. Takes 26 minutes to boil on my gas stove. I put this in to quart containers. On my 32 ounce feeder reservoirs I've drawn a line at 8 ounces. Fill that up with the nectar base, then to the top with filtered water.
If you're going away, take the feeders down rather than let them sit there empty. When you get back and set out fresh feeders hummers flying by will immediately notice and zoom in to feed.
I've got a hive of (formerly) killer bees, and I get orioles visiting the feeders - neither can get in.
When I used to read every day on my porch about once every hour or so a hummer will hover right next to me. And then if I walk anywhere in my neighborhood they'll swoop into buzz me. When I'm not out there so much they don't get as close.
And even with the feeders full, they'll still canvas the flowers.
Robbie- thank you for this! Your "opinion"- your expertise- is so valuable!!
OMG, thank you so much,
exactly the info I needed -- several days ago I went to check out the feeders at Home Depot but left without buying one so now I know which one I want (no glass & no extras as I want cleaning to be simple & easy ).
Perfect! Take care, 😊
I love Hummingbirds. I bought 3 really cheap feeders last year. They leaked the sugar water out. This year, I'm looking for better feeders. Around here, yellow jackets are a huge problem. Thank you Robbie.
Here we do not have that many yellow jackets, but yes you may need a bee guard and good feeder, take care!
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy I live in NC and we have the same problem with bees. Our feeders had yellow flowers, and I read somewhere that that’s what attracted the bees. I spray painted the flowers red like the rest of the plastic, and believe it or not, no more bees!
That's my favorite feeder too! Because the birds absolutely love it. I tried so many nice glass feeders, the birds wouldn't touch them.
The bees don't like to feed in the shade as much...so putting them in the shade helps with the birds
Oh, that's good to know! I live in an apartment downstairs, so I could just hang it in my patio where the sun doesn't hit... whenever I get one. My neighbor said I would have to clean it every single day so that's why I've never bought one.
@@Lavenderrose73 NO! I change my nectar about every 4 or 5 days until it gets about mid summer then I change it every 3 days (I live in Central Georgia) so I'm talking 90 degrees then I change it every 3 days...you can smell of it if it has no smell, it will be ok for another day or so.......but I only clean mine real good about once a month. As long as you rinse it out before you refill it, it will be fine. The reason you have to change the nectar is because it will ferment and make your hummingbirds sick.(and drunk) Get one you can take apart and clean easily....I use a few $8 feeders I got at Walmart, perky pet, I think makes them. They come apart so you can clean them with an old toothbrush and a baby bottle brush. I make my own nectar too...saves a lot of money....4 parts water 1 part sugar. I boil 4 cups of water, as soon as it starts boiling good, take it off the heat, pour 1 cup of regular white sugar and stir until the water is clear let it cool and its ready to go. I keep my extra nectar in an old syrup bottle in my refrigerator. Now, if you see any black stuff on your feeder, it needs cleaning. And, if the bees start coming to it, just use a little less sugar in your nectar, usually they will go away.
@@Lavenderrose73 this lady is the one I got the nectar formula from....she is great!
@@blkmjcwmn61 cool, I have an electric kettle so that'll make the process even easier. I've made simple syrup by heating water up in that thing before. I may need to wait till next month when I get paid again because it's a bit tight this month, but thank you for the tips. I'll certainly remember them.
@@Lavenderrose73 i know how that is, I'm on disability, so I have things I have to wait until I get paid too. I hope you enjoy watching your little hummingbirds like I do mine! The lady that posted this video always has good tips.
Please don’t take this the wrong way but I love you! You’re video is so inspiring because I adore hummingbirds. I usually have hummingbirds that come to my feeder every year but this year I think I put my feeder out too late due to the weather being cooler longer this spring. I also used a bottle of hummingbird food that I had stored in my fridge left over from last year. Thanks to your video, I’ve learned how to make my own food for them, how frequently I should change their food, and how to properly clean their feeder. I’ve been using white vinegar to clean their feeder, I suppose that is wrong too. I look forward to more of your videos, I just love all your beautiful hummingbirds feeding around your home. ❤️🙂
I would not store food in the fridge for more then a few weeks, think of how you would store juice in your fridge. Clean method is really up to you as long as you rinse it really good. Not sure where you are, but with all the fires this year, it seems the birds are moving around a bit different, take care! (Oh, and if the birds came and tested your feeder and the food was old, most likely they would move on to fresher feeders in the area), Thanks
Omg, I hope someday I can have a lot of hummingbirds! Last year I had about 5-6, this year only 1 so far. They are very territorial. But I won't give up, I love watching them, they are so cute! A wonderful gift from God 🙏🙏
If you have one, more are there somewhere, Take Care 😊
Yeah the males are extremely territorial and will try and chase off other hummingbirds
I'm looking for a feeder. I used to have a neighbor who had a feeder and I loved watching all the many tiny hummingbirds come and have a drink. When the gentleman was outside the birds would land on him as he was whistling. Beautiful to see. Now I'm ready to find a feeder for my new place.
Thanks to you Robbie, you've made me aware how to select the best, easy to clean hummingbird feeders. I threw out the one feeder who's bottom didn't come apart for proper cleaning. I'm anxiously waiting and ready for them! 🌿💕🌱
I love the beautiful decorative hummingbird feeders and always want to buy them, but then I remember how much of a pain some are and just buy the cheap ones. We've also had better luck with the cheap ones when it comes to leaks too. We start with a couple small ones at the first sighting of a hummingbird and put the big guys out along with the small ones once we are going through the small ones fast. We really need more out these past few summers, but it is too much maintenance for us. We have flowers around front as well that they love so plenty of food to go around.
Wow, that window is the all time best cat TV!
My favorite is the More Birds Ruby 10oz especially since they updated it with more colorful flowers. It is easy to clean, the birds like it, and has just enough decoration to be pleasing to the eye while still mainly functional.
I was cleaning mine with just white vinegar and water 'tea' soaking for at least 20 minutes then thoroughly rinsing with clean water as that did away with any mold issues, but came to discover that ants absolutely love white vinegar just as much as sugar water. Even thoroughly rinsing did not seem to mask the scent to them. Now I'm just using some cheap soap solution and making use of the intense sunlight here to sanitize the feeders before reuse.
Bees we have but for some reason they don't go after the feeders. What DOES go after them are the small flying insects like gnats, baby flies, and of course ants. While the Ruby does have a moat it dries rapidly in our Sonoran Desert summer heat.
This all started because a year before my dad died my cousin gifted him with a cheap hummer feeder. When he became to frail to keep up with it that chore fell to me. Then a second hummer showed up and they fought so I got a second feeder to put on the other side of the yard. Then another bird and next thing you knew there was a nest glued to our Christmas lights wire smack over our entry and a now there are at least five hanging around my immediate neighborhood, I have six feeders (three to sanitize and three to be filled.)
Worst problem is trying to find places that are shaded and yet the cats cant get to them. (I discovered to my dismay that my cats can jump over six feet high. Luckily no damage.)
Now I'm wondering about the drought and the soon coming rationing. Worried that the hummers will not make it if I'm forced to stop putting out any feeders at all. Human family has to come first if push comes to shove. Will the hummers be able to fly off and find food sources where the drought is not an issue? The whole West is affected now. :(
I love her! Enthusiastic and loves her hummingbirds. They give us such joy to watch and see them thrive. Pull up a chair with some iced tea and let the bird show begin. Hummingbird life ahhhhhhhhh 🤗🤗🤗🤗
I saw a cute little hummingbird outside my window this morning and decided before I go buy a feeder, I'd do a little research first. Your video is fantastic! Thank you for the very useful info!
The world needs more people like you, Ma'am. Thank You for the video. Now, I can solve the ant problem.
Thank you so much I'm here in East Texas country and I have mother with (dementia)..shucks we enjoy them they all have a personality too..they are so fun n funny to watch.. thank you so much for giving US this video..luv it 🔥💐👌🏾👌🏾
Thanks so much for all your videos. I've been watching since last summer, I started a bird sanctuary in honor of my mother, and added a hummingbird feeder mid summer. I had a couple visitors, even a few, but I only had a small window feeder. I'm off to get more this week, to be ready for the season! I will be following all the tips I've learned, and I definitely need to get me a soldering iron too! You made me realize how versatile they can be!
I saw a HUMMER the other day + was SHOCKED! So now I need to find my feeders, clean them out and HANG up where I can sit and watch! I have always been fascinated by Hummingbirds. 💙👍
Your videos have been so inspirational. I started out with 1 hummingbird feeder last Fall after all the fires here in Northern California. And last month I had to get another feeder. There are several babies that keep flying in to feed. I think they have a nest nearby. Watching them feed has been the perfect antidote to a depressing 2020 I tell ya. I can now count about 10-12 hummingbirds and my parents have enjoyed them just as much as I have and it’s lead to so many wonderful conversations. They get so excited to see them fly in and drink up. Thank you for all the tips. 💕🌺
What I can't imagine is for this lady to devote so much time, buying, fixing , making feeders along with preparing the mixture. That's,a full time job! I,only have two on my porch and have to fill,them every day!! And sometimes I,just get tired and forget....not all,the time, but with my,schedule ( and I don't work outside my home) I kind of,want to quit. This takes dedication not including all those hummingbird baths she's always coming up with. I don't have the heart to stop...but if I get another animal for my home to stay here..the hummingbirds will have to go to Robbies for food and a bath! 😊
That’s my absolute favorite feeder too. Rinse rinse rinse.
Amen Halleluiah!! Hummingbirds are a gift from God as is all wildlife.
Amen 💝🙏🏽💒
@@ekunina5410 Amen Halleluiah!!
I live in Minnesota where the hummers arrive the first week of May. I have perhaps a dozen birds that come to my feeder but I only see one of two at a time and never more than one at the feeder. They are hugely territorial! The bird at the feeder will get dive-bombed within a minute of arriving. Their antics are such fun to watch!
It looks like Paradise at ur place.
I love hummingbirds, I sit in my backyard n just watch them . Their breathtaking n watching them relaxs my soul. I would feel like alil kid in a toy store if I had as many as you. N the trust they have within you is priceless.
Again ty so much for sharing ur videos with us😍
Hello dear, I’m Steven from Houston, Texas how are you and your family doing with the pandemic issue?
I agree with you, Robbie. "First Nature" feeders are also our favorite. My wife and I have been feeding hundreds of Ruby Throats for about 20 years. Thank you for the great RUclips channel.
We think alike, great simple feeders that work perfect! Thanks
We’ve tried many. Our favorite is the one that is a simple tube with the big flowers on the bottom and the little spots to sit. It’s easy to take apart and clean and they like it. You showed it in the video. Our humming birds are very territorial and won’t eat together though. I wish they did.
Thanks for sharing!! Try some "blinders" for some feeders. Check this video out I did: ruclips.net/video/w78BvVepehY/видео.html
I love Robbie's tips. Her voice is like the voice of a friend I've known for years. Thank you for making these informative and fun videos!
Thank you, I’m putting two out this year from the $ store. They came by my sunflower garden last year so I know there here already 😊🌸
I have been feeding hummingbirds here in Ohio for years too. I don’t have anywhere near as many birds as you do but I have had times where I’ve had more than a dozen! First Nature are my favorite feeders too, for the exact reason you mentioned, they’re easy to clean. I use a toothbrush and toothpicks to clean them, I will be buying a mascara brush, that’s brilliant! Thanks!
I use a pipe cleaner to clean in the small holes. Vety inexpensive for a dozen. I cut one pipe cleaner into small pieces that way I can throw away it away after it's been used.
Thanks for the tip about the ant moat. I didn't know I needed one, till I got overwhelmed with cleaning ants out of my 3 piece feeder. My hummers won't feed with the ants in their nectar!
Regarding ants- what I have found out is that once I hang the full feeder and tilt it a little to get the nectar to all of the "flowers" if I take my garden house and lightly rinse off the entire feeder, including the bottom, and then spray a little water on the ground, under it, I don't have ant problems. This has been working great for the last couple of years. The ants can "smell" the excess sugar on the outside of the feeder and they are able to "put together" the fact that the sugar water on the ground came from the feeder, above. Dilute all that sugar with fresh hose water and they go away. Just takes a light misting on all sides and a light misting on the ground to dilute everything.
Once a hummingbird hovered right by my ear, i could feel the wings wind it was so close.
Mine do that so much & even fly down to ground one behind another right next to my fur babies (my fur babies never try to harm them)…..
They will even fly infringe of mine or my husband’s face just watching us a few second’s, also love to hand feed them…..
It is absolutely AMAZING that they will come eat right out of your hand. WOW
Good suggestions. We love our visitors. One time we got an “angry bird” hummer that guarded the feeder. Had to get another and place it out of sight. Fun watching them. They can be very bold if they feel safe (get extra close to you).
Tks lov am 53 yrs old just got a bit of land out side of Dallas Texas 🐟 hunt and just hot in to feeding birds u help me so much stay safe and bless
I would love to share this very informative video with my mom. She’s been trying hard to attract hummingbirds. Please add Closed Captions to this video for her.
You are supposed to use a vinegar/water solution, that will keep mold away. I think my mom read that in Birds and Blooms magazine.
I am so inspired by this video! I love my hummingbirds and now I can have more! I am so excited to try making the planter feeders! You're awesome, thank you for sharing this information.❤️
I have hummingbird feeders and garden plants they love . This year starting my butterfly garden . Bringing in bird feeders for the summer,they have a big choice of food to eat . I do have birdbaths all over . They all give me so much joy ❤
Thank you for all the great info. Love how you keep it so simple & easy. Makes it all the more enjoyable. Learned something very interesting about Hummingbirds the other day. Their brain makes up 1/4 of their body weight. They are so intelligent that they will remember every feeder & group of flowers they have fed from their whole life! Pretty Amazing little Gems💖
😜 silly. Even I remember every delicious thing I have eaten. And my brain 🧠 doesn't weigh as much as a hummingbird 🤣😹
In Washington state, the rufous hummingbirds we have don't migrate!
When it snowed, I had to keep two feeders going alternatively because one would freeze, then I'd replace it with the thawed out feeder. They are at the feeder at the first crack of light, so I had to be ready. I was so afraid they'd die.
So if you're lover of hummers in the Pac NW, please don't stop feeding them in the fall, spring and winter! They need you the most then! 🙂
And thank you for mentioning not using red dye! When you mentioned that, I knew you were a pro! 🎖
@Blue Eyes I live in WA too. The Rufous do migrate, it’s the Anna’s that don’t. 😊
The nectar won’t freeze until 27 degrees, which I just found out last year. BUT they have hummingbird feeder heaters you can buy! You can also DIY one. But with only a couple being around, one should be fine! I’ve had mine for a few years, and it just uses a little nightlight bulb. Works great!! I got it at Wild Birds Unlimited. For me it’s easier than bringing in every night to keep from freezing, because I always end up either forgetting to bring in, or forget to bring it out first thing! And no, it doesn’t heat it. Just keeps it from freezing. 💜
I read to put a child's small tube sock on the feeder. Just cut the heal off. Place the sock on the feeding tube. This will catch the stragglers flying to Mexico.
We only have one feeder in our backyard on Whidbey Island, WA. However, our Rufus hummers overwinter here, so I leave the feeder up all year. The Anna’s have just returned! Thanks for the tips on cleaning the feeder. The mascara wand is a great idea!
I have one or two birds that come by, but they go for my flowers and not the feeders. I'm jealous of how many birds you have. Thank you for the video!
Hello Suzi, I’m Steven from Houston, Texas how are you and your family doing with the pandemic issue?
I’m up north so I have to wait till late April early may to put my hummingbird feeders out an I’m ready. I have 2 fountains in my front yard never seen a hummingbird go in it but I have seen all the other birds go into it. And I will put a feeder in the back yard so I’m planning on make a DIY one with the solar pump I’m excited.
She helping us to bring back the hummingbird populations.❤
Oh Yes!
Great video! Always thought feeders needed flowers to draw humming birds. You’ve covered this very well. Plus feeder location and cleaning tips are well presented. Thanks for sharing your experienced advice in an awesome video.
Thanks so much 😊
They truly don’t care if there’s flowers ..hang it up …they will come…lol
Robbie feels like the sweetest grandma ever.
Thank you, my wife wants to start feeding humming birds. We have been feeding finch’s cardinals and all others that come by for years, but haven’t got a feeder for hummingbirds yet. Glad I saw your video thanks for making it.
Tried most and have settled upon First Nature feeders. They are made in USA, easiest to clean, last for years and birds love them. Also, inexpensive.
Made in USA! 🇺🇸
Hmm, kinda like the idea of making one too. I have one you recommended, it's available from home depot. It's been so interesting putting up a feeder not really knowing if/when a hummer might stop by. And now sometimes there's like a happy hour with a number of birds coming around.
Thanks for sharing, Robbie. Good info. Thanks for leaving time at the end to watch the birds, especially feeding on your hand. Remarkable. I always enjoy your channel. Have a great day. Blessings
You are lucky that you are up high and don’t have a squirrel problem! My favorite feeders are the Dollar Tree feeders, the squirrels don’t have a “seat” and have a harder time hanging on. They are easy to clean, and my hummers seem to like them. Thanks for the video, waiting for my beauties!
Nice video! Thank you. I'm still waiting for my first hummer here East of StL this year. I start with a few of your favorite feeders each spring and ramp up to 8 of them. Yes, they like larger feeding holes. And perches. Feeders don't need to be fancy, just easy for the little birds to get to. Mid summer, I'll be filling 8 2.5cup feeders daily. And wearing safety glasses to get out my door!
Nice!!!... I moved to St Louis & have only seen a few hummers at the Botanical Garden! 🙏🏽💗 Hope I can attract some to my home! (My grandmother loved them so I think of her every time I see them.)
Great video! I tried the expensive feeders and they can be a pain to clean so I only buy the dollar store one's because they are so easy to clean with a toothbrush and pipe cleaner for the holes and the hummingbirds love them!
Dishwasher
I just love how they trust you! I get perhaps 6 or 8 here at my place but they don't come near me. You are blessed!
Oh wow! 6 is great, as they will build their numbers, and as they have babies, it is the younger ones that will really get to know you, and their kids and their kids...
@@RobbieAndGaryGardeningEasy U r doing a great noble deed but don't you think giving then plain water would be better for their health as sugar is not good. You can also keep tiny seeds for them in some feeders.
@@sabihunt3382 why do you feel the need to comment on something you are obviously completely uninformed about? Waste of time for all of us
@@sabihunt3382 I do not know much about Hummingbirds but since a bird's metabolism is very different than a human's metabolism that the correct amount of sugar to water would give them sufficient calories and energy and enable them to thrive. I assume their diet in the wild from nectar is similar to the correct sugar and water ratio in the hummingbird feeders.
@@HunderbarDachs why make comments like that. We're all enjoying learning about hummingbirds and that lady just asked a question. Just enjoy...
WE only use glass here due to the humidity in the Pacific Northwest....cleaned 3 times per week and completely taken apart. Annas hummingbirds are here year round! I feed them all year and when flowers bloom I gauge what they may need but take down some as my home has so so many flowers for them blooming right now.
😊
The best hummingbird feeder is a good selection of flowering plants.
Really? So they eat from flowers just as happily as from the sugar water?
@@TraceyMush Trumpet vines Which there aren't so many of in my area.
You can probably google what their favorites are.
If you're lazy.. lol
A good mix is very helpful, flowers and help from us as DIY nectar, Thank you so much 😊
@@TraceyMush you joking right? of course they do!!!!