I dont know the answer to your problem either other than it sounds like no red on the feeder. I dont buy decorative pretty to look at feeders. I just get the cheap ones that are easy to clean, I have pp209 , first nature and the little 3oz jobbies since they like those. I also have used hummzinger types and I have not had hummers reject any of the above mentioned feeders. Also I have not had any hummers here yet but should show up any day now. I usually get them between 4-30 to 5-4.

All of my feeders are hanging under the branches of shade trees out of the sun, since light and warmth will encourage bacteria and/or mold in any feeder, regardless of whether it's plastic or glass. Rainwater helps that along, so the downward-pointing tubes you're using keep the nectar cleaner than any other type, but aren't practical if the hummingbirds consume a gallon of sugar-water a day. In the past fifteen years, two or three 8 - 16oz feeders were plenty and uneaten nectar had to be dumped every third day or so. But I started planting more flowers last year and got the first breeding pair to take up residence. This year, with even more flowering plants, there was an unexpected population explosion. Now there are twelve feeders in the yard of seven different types/ brands and they all get used, though five are hung under what's become The Hummingbird Tree because of the crowd that prefers to feed there. They're using both rings on the Best-1 as perches:

Cleaning your hummingbird feeder daily is best for the hummingbirds. Every morning we fill our feeders about 1/2 full using 1/2 as much sugar. This way the hummingbirds have plenty of food all day, we don't waste sugar and the feeders get cleaned every day. When we first started we only filled the feeders 1/3 because there were so few birds. But now there are lots of birds who need more food and we have 3 feeder locations where we keep feeders filled fresh daily. There seem to be about 3 or 4 distinct breeding families right here where we are. We will try to post a good photo of a spectacular hummingbird with an irridescent orange beak and irridescent feathers. We have a family of them here but they come and go on their own schedule. We have never heard of them or read of them existing anywhere else. Anyway the bottom line on the hummingbird feeders has to be: "Would you prefer to drink fresh or old sugar water?" Hummingbirds must feel the same way no doubt, yes? Anyway, let's all clean our hummingbird feeders every day.

Greetings! As an avid Birder, I'm amazed that Hummingbirds are being reported from NY State before May. Have any of you actually SEEN one yet?? We are talking record early here... In Syracuse, most of the RUHU (Hummingbirds) arrive around May 1st. In my yard, the average is around May 9th. It doesn't hurt to get your feeders out early, just make sure to change the fluid each week. Orioles are due this week, and they too come to feeders. Mine are also attracted to juice oranges cut in half and impaled on tree branches, etc. Both Orioles and Hummingbirds benefit from a sweeter nectar in early spring. Exhausted from migration, they load up on calories as soon as they arrive. I usually make a 3:1 solution for the first two weeks. Follow Penny's advice above, just use 3 cups of water to 1 cup PURE CANE SUGAR. Note the bag must say PURE CANE SUGAR. The Wegmans brand of cheap sugar is made from beets, and RUHU ignore it. After mid-May, RUHU nectar goes back to 4:1. Good Luck!! I'll post when my Hummers return!!! PS: You can make a hanging basket for them by using cheap annuals potted in last year's Fuschia basket. Use Salvia, Impatiens, Phlox, etc. Most superstores have something in the L&G section by now!!