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Birding/feeding hummingbirds

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Expert: - 7/22/2010


Question
We want to feed the hummingbirds that come to our window.  We got a feeder and commercial food. They come and test but won't stay and feed.  The feeder is plastic.  It hangs in a sunny spot. Whats wrong?

Answer
You have done nothing wrong. This time of year there are plenty of flowers to feed from, so the hummers don't need extra food. Also, they are raising young and feed them insects in the summer. Wait until late summer to put the feeder up and they will come.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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