Why don't I have hummingbirds. I keep the feed fresh. Is there a problem with them in Oklahoma?

Question

Why don't I have hummingbirds. I keep the feed fresh. Is there a problem with them in Oklahoma?

Answer 1

To help attract humming birds you should plant certain types of flowers that they like. Here check out this website. It'll give you a list of flowers that are known to attract humming birds and just plant the ones that grow in your area.

Answer 2

Hummingbirds are definitely found in Oklahoma!

In order to attract hummingbirds, you have to have a food source available for them when the scouts first fly north in the spring.  The scout will assess the area, and if it looks like there is enough food for his "flock", then he will go back south and bring the whole bunch of them to set up housekeeping in your area.  Hummingbirds tend to migrate to the same area of their birth every year, and they are fiercely territorial--defending vigorously against any intruders, most specifically, other male hummingbirds.  If you deplete the area by mowing wildflowers or letting feeders go empty after previously keeping them full, they will look for another place.  The key really is EARLY in the year having small feeders available for the scouts to find as well as planting plenty of flowers that they love, then keeping them supplied with food (preferable natural, as the sugar water in feeders is equivalent to feeding candy to kids) throughout the summer until they migrate.  

In the southern part of the central U.S., scouts are coming through in early-to-mid March, so they should be coming around the same time to Oklahoma, and even could be coming through your area as early as mid-February if you have an early spring.  Check with your local extension service to see if they can give you specific dates for your area.

Answer 3

Don't know of a specific "problem" (I'm in OK too), but my aunt mentioned they didn't have any hummingbirds this year either.

Answer 4

If no one in your area has them there may have been a problem where ever your birds spend the Winter.  If it just seems to be your yard without them maybe there isn't a large enough population around for them to be everywhere around you...if you had birds last year and you took the feeders down too early they may have found another food source then and returned there instead of your house this year

Answer 5

Well, do you get them where you live?  I have a feeder up.  It took over a week for a bird to come.  Now, I cant keep enough food in them.  It runs out every other day.  Give it some time and they will find it.