anyone have hummingbirds in Ks??

[razman]

I am interested in attracting hummingbirds to my back yard deck area....don't know anything about them, but i do know they migrate through Kansas in the spring/summer....anyone on here have hummingbirds?? thanks, Rick

[D'Nese]

Razman,

Put up a feeder on deck or porch and you'd be surprised how easy it is to attract them!!!! My hubby and I love to sit on the deck in the evening and see them come to the feeders/ hanging flowers. There are all sorts of varieties available so just google them in your area and see what you come up with. They are worth it!!!!

[DornCounty]

Yes!!.. 4 parts water to 1 part sugar (don't buy the hummingbird food, not needed). I typically put my feeder out on tax day. (mid april).

I have not seen one this year yet however.

Ruby Throated humingbirds are the ones in Kansas.

[CraigMo.]

they are do here anytime. When I lived in Warrensburg I was able to stick my finger out right below the feeder and the hummingbird would perch on my finger to eat. My chair was about a half an arms length from the feeder. I was a smoker back then so thats where I smoked, I do not believe I would have the patience now since I don't smoke. You will like them. I would make your own nectar, its cheaper. Make it sweet at first and once you get them to your place you can cut back on the sugar. You can tell by looking at it when its spoiled and then clean feeder now and then and refill it.
Good luck on your martin and hummers
Craig

[DornCounty]

I also would recommend getting a feeder that is completely able to be taken apart. It makes cleaning real easy. You don't want any mold in the nectar.

[TammyBears]

I'm in central Oklahoma and have had hummers for years. They are only now getting to me, I have about 3 of my hummingbirds back right now. I've had as many as 20+ if the heat/drought doesn't' get to them. Now is definitely the time to put your feeder out, hang it in an open spot so that they can see it. I have red topped ones, and no need to add food color either. They are too fun to watch, matter of fact my hummers are already enjoying the perches on my Martin housing! Good luck

[AidanRois]

I have hummers every year! I haven't spotted any here yet this season though... Maybe mine are being slow. As was mentioned, the best solution for them is a homemade sugar water solution: 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Don't waste your money on that store made mess. Make sure the water is boiled to remove any tap chemicals, and only use plain granulated white sugar, nothing else. Don't add any color, it's not needed. They'll be attracted to the color of your feeder, not the nectar solution. I myself use feeders with bright reds and pinks to mimic natural flower colors, and I also tie red ribbons around the hooks I hang my feeders on to serve as a sort of 'flag' for them to spot. It works every time!

Good luck getting some! They're wonderful little acrobats that'll entertain you all day. :D

[tonyg]

Should be anytime Rick. I agree with Dorn. Buy one that comes apart for cleaning. Usually you will need to change the sugar/water mixture as it becomes sour and the birds will not drink from it if when it is. (prolly weekly).. We usually boil our water then add the sugar to it, (dissolves better). 4 cups water, 1 cup sugar..you will enjoy them..

[bacato]

My ruby throat hummers arrived during the 4th week of March (that's about normal for here). I've got 4 or 5 regulars here now that can be seen all day, appear to have a few more right before dark. The best time of the year is when the migration south occurs, which is generally around Labor Day weekend here - keeping nectar out turns into a part time job for me. It's the last thing I do before leaving for work, and the absolute first thing I do when I get home - but it's a lot of fun though.

The following picture shows when it gets fun for me - during heavy southward migration, I'll have several of these quart feeders hanging with this kind of activity at each one:

It's great to hear the swarming all around.

Ditto on the comments above concerning feeder bases that come apart for cleaning. A feeder with a clear bottle, red plastic base works fine (like in the above picture) - no food coloring required.

[NancyinEnidOK]

Hi, Rick! I've never used a feeder but do see several every morning (while they're in the area). They love my honeysuckle vine (Hall's Honeysuckle), the four o'clocks, and Rose of Sharon.

[razman]

thanks to everyone for the info!! i will have a new hummingbird feeder by next week...i'm GOING FOR IT!! LOL, Rick

[bacato]

Good luck Rick, just don't give up! You'll want to especially have it out and ready early August for at least the whole month (prob more). Try to keep fresh nectar in it.

[razman]

Bacato>>>> it was my understanding that the hummingbirds would possibly be in my area (Ks) from mid April til the end of summer. why would i wait til August?? wouldn't i want to put the feeder out now thru Aug/Sept?? thanks for responding, the pic is GREAT! Rick

[baileysambone]

Rick,
You can get feeders at walmart, not expensive, plastic with red top and bottom, mine are called "first nature feeders" and the bottom comes apart so you can clean it. Change out food once a week because it will spoil in the heat.
Yvonne

[jmcdill]

Hi,
I saw my first one tonight(4-19). I am 3 blocks into Oklahoma,right on
Kansas Oklahoma border. South Coffeyville

Jerry

[bacato]

Bacato>>>> it was my understanding that the hummingbirds would possibly be in my area (Ks) from mid April til the end of summer. why would i wait til August?? wouldn't i want to put the feeder out now thru Aug/Sept?? thanks for responding, the pic is GREAT! Rick

Rick,
Certainly put your feeder out now, you are very likely to have visitors. I should have elaborated a bit more - generally in my experience, there is an initial round of visitors which I think is a combination of northward migration and the birds that plan to breed in my area. Apparently they head to the wet and more woods type areas to have the babies, where they will catch and feed the young insects. During this time, you will see adult birds mainly in the morning and evenings at your nectar feeders - this is when most people become discouraged asking "where did all my hummers go?" Once the babies fledge, everyone finds their way back to the nectar eventually and begin to fatten themselves up for the journey south. It is much easier to attract birds when they are instinctively fattening themselves up, adult males, females, and multiple young.
Good luck!
-Brett

[rrmartins]

I have been trying for two years. I have a feeder in my backyard on a hanging basket holder on our fence. I have not seen one yet. I even put banana peels on the hanger to help draw flies around it and nothing. :(

[mvandyke]

I saw my first Hummingbird yesterday.

Mike
Pea Ridge Arkansas

[Don Troha]

Two hummers chasing around my yard today. Lot's of wind but they don't seem to mind.
They will only stay a day or two them move on northward.
Also three Orioles here checking out the hummingbird feeders.

[jr 2]

i cleaned and put my 3 feeders out yesterday;;i finally bought the small glass ones with the bee protectors that come apart easily about 5 years ago as the plastic ones kept cracking in the heat;;;jr2