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*** We have Ruby Throats.
*** We put out feeders March 31st and take in October 31.
*** They stay a long time.
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Put a container of red jelly someplace away from your feeder. The birds will go to that and it won't hurt the hummingbird either.

Living in Iowa this summer so as soon as I read your post I dashed to the store to buy sugar to make the hummers, I call them the Jetsons, some food! Can't wait to see them.

Do u make your own hummer juice or buy redi-made? I made one year...not popular, so now I invest in redi- made

tessagin, it might be orioles, they get on my hummingbird feeders all the time.. I love them as they are so colorful. Even tho you get squatters if you don't keep the feeders full your hummers won't stay. I just put out several feeders then they can all share. My hummers have been coming for over a month.

Our hummers have been here since sometime in April. We have 7 feeders out in the front yard and 4 in the back yard.
They definitely keep one busy filling them all. We too have had squatters, they began last year, with some orioles and this year we have had field sparrows and just regular sparrows as well as a few orioles. We don't seem to have as many this year as we have had in the past. I know for sure we have at least 6 hummers this year. They have darling stand off battles all day long, especially late in the evening. We have one n the back and one in the front that acts like sentry guard for some of the feeders- protecting it's feeder.
DH and I have found that the tube or cylinder feeders aren't bothered by squatters as much as the short circular feeders are. We make our own feed, 4 cups of boiled water and one cup of sugar. We do not use any coloring. I keep a supply in the fridge at all times. It has been so dry that there aren't flowers for them to feed on. DH has planted some new vines hoping this will help them. We have been feeding them for at east 10 years now and they return very year.
We have light tan, one green with a beautiful purple throat, and several with a black head a white ringed neck. I haven't seen a rufus this year, but we have had some in the past. I watch them every morning while drinking my cup of hot tea, and all through the day. Morning and evening are my favorite times to go out and watch their little battles. Just more of God's beautiful creations.

I live in southwestern Manitoba, Canada and after our long winter our hummers returned last week. I read a hint on Facebook that to attract the birds tie red ribbons near the feeders. this really works! my husband did this a couple of days ago, and the little fellows are in the yard all the time now. Before that we would just see them once in a while.

I am still waiting. I have 2 feeders up.

Homemake - I C plain white sugar, 4 C water. I micro for 6 minutes.

Just remember, please, please, please, to clean the feeders with the liquid before refilling it. If mold starts to grow in the little openings, there's a good chance that it will make the hummers tongue swell so they can't eat. Not to be an alarmist, but just be aware. Letting them feed on nature's bounty is, of course, the best, but not always possible. We have some that visit a plant that is called "Mexican petunia" here...it's purple, but they come to it.