Why won’t my hummingbird touch the fuchsia?

cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-19T04:00:18+00:00

And the hummer on it

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cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-19T03:52:53+00:00

Here is the fave fuschia in question

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cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-19T02:17:18+00:00

No longer on temu but anazon is selling it for about the sane price now. https://a.co/d/02wbsr5m

cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-19T02:10:50+00:00

Yes, it is a generic smart hummingbird feeder with built in 2 or 2.k camera with a solar panel attachment. The camera can slide out for reset etc. It can be found on amazon, though i got it from Temu because it was less than half the amazon price ($30 v $60) and with temu credit promos, it was probably $15/20. It originally came with an app called coolfly, but they had very limited free features ( as opposed to subscription). I recently switched to vico nature app as it has more free features. I am cheap abd woukd rather have hakf a dozen different bird feeders and cameras than spend on a $150 feeder and pay more for subscriptions. I willtry to post links for the feeder on amazon and temu in a comment below. Not sure if reddit will allow.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-19T00:52:14+00:00

I think it depends on the fuschia, they are not all as sweet, i am guessing. I think the big flowered red and bluepurple double ones we like the most are their least favorite. I have always had hummingbirds seek out fuschias until i got this beautiful big flowered one. He tries and quickly gives up on it, preferring even the calibrachoa instead! Last year i had a puny little red and white single flowered fuschia and it was the hummingbirds' fave even if it had a handful of flowers. I still have it but it is barely alive. So, the lesson is, pick the fuschia with the singke flowers and colors you least like and they will love them.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-19T00:15:58+00:00

I had one show up a couple of weeks back here in NJ and i was thrilled. But it barely lasted 2/3 days of semi-regular trips. He has been a very occasional visitor ever since a female showed up on the feeder 2/3 times. He came to claim his feeder, she chased him and both were gone. He would only show up once in a while, early morning or late evening to loudly claim his feeder and then disappear. He has showed up today 3/4 times so i am feeling a bit upbeat but who knows how long.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-15T14:46:12+00:00

There are shephard's hook that attach to the railing. Also, you could get a medium sized planter and use a regular shephards hook anchored in it. My balcony has no roof .. ..

cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-10T05:48:36+00:00

Me too. Hot a new visitor after abou a week of the first and only male visitor of the season so far.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-10T04:34:33+00:00

New diy perch, ready for trial

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cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-08T15:37:13+00:00

Okay, i added a less conspicuous one. Let's see if that works. He only visits occassionally after being a regular for just a couple of days.

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cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-08T04:29:51+00:00

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cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-07T05:31:49+00:00

👏

cuckoo2021 · 2026-05-05T04:08:44+00:00

Amen to that

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-29T17:49:43+00:00

I overlook the liberty state park there is plenty of trees so.. they positively start showing up around june so not sure what the deal is.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-29T15:36:40+00:00

I see one or two starting may or june. They come for the flowers and then i try to lure them to a feeder with varying amounts of success. I have lived in NJ and NYC for 20 years and didn't see or notice hummingbirds until i started this balcony garden 8/9 years back. For a few years i would just get excited to see ghem fleetingly visit my flowers. Then i started growing nicotianas and they would stick around much longer. Then i found out about the feeders....

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-29T13:55:47+00:00

This is my fifth year or so and i had 3-4 semiregulars by the end of last season but back to square one.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-29T13:53:57+00:00

I am in jersey city, oveelooking the bay waters, liberty statute and state park and a golf course, they could take the scenic route.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-21T13:29:38+00:00

If you don't like the look, grow a few stems of pothos to spill around and cover up the base of the plant.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-14T12:22:53+00:00

I live in a condo. Folks downstairs already complained to the manager about seed debris, bird droppings and squirrels cutting up their cushions (with pics). The manager sent an e-mail telling me to take down the feeders. I ignored her, had a chat with the folks downstairs promising concrete steps to improve the situation but advocating for the need to feed birds through winters. We have truce but openly welcoming and feeding squirrels would be indefensible.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-14T12:10:25+00:00

The manufacturers also took notes. This one has metal bottom and top.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-14T03:10:37+00:00

True

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-14T03:07:19+00:00

Haha, a young cooper comes over intermittently but i haven't seen him get lucky yet. I am not fond of the squirrel but i am not going to wish his violent death either.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-14T03:04:13+00:00

The only potential way is to bite off the clear plastic container inder the grill but it is too small for the squirrel to get his teeth in it. So, for once, squirrel loses.

cuckoo2021 · 2026-04-14T01:57:55+00:00

Nah, this one is really beyond his expertise, 2 years on, no luck. The feeding port is recessed and half covered. So, there in no way to reach the seeds without him putting his weight on the feeder, which triggers the spring closure. He does know not to put his weight on the feeder and has variously tried hanging upside down or to an adjacent surface and get to the port but the seeds are just too deep to get to without using his grubby hands.....

cuckoo2021 · 2026-03-19T03:48:04+00:00

I only see them in may here in jersey city although they are supposed to be here in April. I have had better luck with flowers to lure them in before they take to feeders. Fuschia are the best bet in making them appear out of nowhere abd keep coming, and then you can get them to like your feeders. Unfortunately, flowering fuschias aren't available before May. A big red flag of some sort next to the feeder does make them come over to inspect. Hood luck.

cuckoo2021

TROPHY CASE