Why dont hummingbirds feed at my hummingbird feeder?

I live in southern california and bought the Bird feeder at home depot. lots of hummers are around but i dont see them feeding?

Answer -

Use 1 part sugar to 3 parts water for your feed. Anything with a stronger concoction of sugar can kill them. Do not use honey, ever. It is fatal. Your feed does NOT have to be red but most feeders have a red flower and that is all that is needed. Mine would not come to red feed, just the red flower.

Be patient. You may have to wait until the babies are flying. They are not so set in their ways so may try yours when the others are too crowded and busy. They usually go to the same feeders year after year.

Sometimes, it takes time for the birds to adjust to feeding at a new feeder, especially if the feeder is located in a busy area. Do you make your own food? If so, make sure it is sweet; the recipe I use is 1 part white granulated sugar to 4 parts water. If the feeder is in the direct sunlight and gets warm, the birds won't drink from it. Give it some time, then you should have lots of bird feeding!


Humming birds are very territorial and will remember from year to year where food is available. Sometimes it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks before the birds begin feeding from your feeder. It took a few months before the birds at my feeder were noticeably feeding. Just remember to change the food at least once a week if not more often and clean the feeder each time. A mold can build up on the inside that can make the birds very sick. I've also noticed that if there are a lot of ants around the feeder the birds will not drink from it. I put an ant mote on mine to prevent the ants from getting into it. I have also noticed that some of the birds don't like the store bought red food, they prefer the solution I make from sugar and water 1/4 cup sugar to 1 cup of water.