One day your feeder is buzzing with Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. The next day, it's eerily quiet.

If you've found yourself asking, "Where did they go?" you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions we hear at The Birdhouse every summer.

People often think they've done something wrong. Maybe the nectar has spoiled. Maybe the neighbours have put up a better feeder. Or perhaps the hummingbirds have already started migrating.

The good news is that, in almost every case, disappearing Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are completely normal.

She's Busy Raising a Family

Here in Ontario, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the only hummingbird species that regularly breeds. While rare western species such as the Rufous Hummingbird occasionally turn up during migration, they don't nest here. The Rufous is likely lost, showing up after a storm has blown them off course.

After courtship, the male's role is finished. The female builds the nest herself, incubates the eggs, and raises the young entirely on her own. Our summers here in Ontario usually allow for a single brood, but they may do more south of the border where the season extends a little longer.

Although she still needs nectar for energy, she's also spending much of her day catching tiny insects and spiders. Baby hummingbirds need protein to grow, so her priorities change for a few weeks.

If your feeder suddenly seems quieter, there's a good chance she's still nearby. She's just busy raising her family.

Summer Flowers Are Blooming

As summer progresses, many of a Ruby-throated Hummingbird's favourite flowers come into bloom.

Bee balm, cardinal flower, salvia, trumpet vine and many native wildflowers provide an abundance of natural nectar.

Your feeder is still an important food source, but it becomes just one stop along the way. Flowers also attract the tiny insects hummingbirds depend on for protein.

Sometimes a quieter feeder is actually a sign that your garden is providing exactly what hummingbirds need.

There Can Be a Mid-Summer Lull

Many people notice that hummingbird activity slows down for a week or two during the middle of summer.

The adult males aren't visiting as often, the females are busy nesting, and the young birds haven't started exploring yet.

Then, almost overnight, everything changes.

Once the young Ruby-throated Hummingbirds leave the nest and begin discovering feeders, activity often picks up again. In fact, you may end up seeing more hummingbirds than you did earlier in the season.

Patience usually pays off.

One Hummingbird May Be Chasing Away the Others

For such tiny birds, hummingbirds can be surprisingly territorial.

A single hummingbird may spend much of the day guarding a feeder, chasing away any bird that gets too close.

That doesn't necessarily mean there is only one hummingbird in your neighbourhood. Several others may be waiting nearby for their chance to feed.

If your yard is large enough, try placing a second feeder where the first one can't be seen. Since the dominant bird can't guard both at once, you'll often see more hummingbirds visiting your yard.

They Remember Good Feeding Spots

Hummingbirds have excellent memories.

Once they discover a reliable food source, they'll often return to it year after year. They also remember where flowers bloom and which yards consistently provide fresh nectar.

That's why keeping your feeder clean and consistently filled is so important.

Here at The Birdhouse, we've switched to Pinebush Hummingbird & Oriole Nectar Powder because it contains Nectar Guard. The powder is made from pure cane sugar and contains a naturally occurring micronutrient called copper sulfate. Copper occurs naturally in tiny amounts in floral nectar, and in this product it helps slow the growth of mould, bacteria and other microorganisms that cause nectar to spoil.

One of the things we really like about it is that the nectar can stay fresh for up to a week, even during hot summer weather. That gives you a little more flexibility during busy weeks and means you're less likely to have spoiled nectar sitting in your feeder. It also means there's no need to boil the nectar when you're mixing it.

Even with Nectar Guard, I still recommend giving your feeder a good cleaning on a regular basis. Fresh nectar and a clean feeder are one of the best ways to keep Ruby-throated Hummingbirds healthy. Nectar Guard simply gives you an extra layer of protection between cleanings.

Note: Please avoid red nectar. Nectar is not red in nature, is unneeded, and could prove harmful. They will happily find your clear nectar without the dye.

Migration Starts Earlier Than Most People Think

One of the biggest surprises for new hummingbird enthusiasts is learning that migration begins long before the leaves start changing colour.

Some Ruby-throated Hummingbirds begin heading south in late summer, while others continue passing through Ontario well into September.

A slowdown at your feeder doesn't necessarily mean the season is over.

In fact, keeping your feeder up into the fall helps migrating hummingbirds refuel for one of the most remarkable journeys in the bird world. Many of these tiny birds will eventually make the incredible journey across the Gulf of Mexico.

Hummingbirds don't delay migration because feeders are available. Their journey is triggered primarily by changing day length.

Could Something Have Frightened Them?

Occasionally, yes.

A neighbourhood cat, a Cooper's Hawk, tree trimming, construction, or even a busy family gathering near the feeder can make hummingbirds more cautious for a while.

Fortunately, hummingbirds are creatures of habit. If your feeder has been a dependable source of food, they'll often return once things settle down.

A Quick Feeder Check

If your feeder has suddenly gone quiet, ask yourself a few simple questions.

• Is the nectar still fresh?

• Has the feeder been cleaned recently?

• Can hummingbirds easily see it?

• Have your flowers started blooming?

• Is one aggressive hummingbird guarding the feeder?

More often than not, you'll discover there's no real problem at all.

Don't Take Your Feeder Down

Every year we have customers come into The Birdhouse convinced their hummingbirds have disappeared for good.

Then a few days later they're back, telling us the feeder is busy again.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are constantly on the move. They're raising young, following blooming flowers, defending territories and preparing for migration. Their routines change throughout the summer, and our feeders don't always see the same level of activity every day.

So if your feeder has suddenly gone quiet, don't panic.

Keep it clean. Keep it filled with fresh nectar.

Your Ruby-throated Hummingbirds probably know exactly where it is.

They're just busy being hummingbirds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I take my hummingbird feeder down if I don't see any hummingbirds?

No. A quiet feeder doesn't necessarily mean the hummingbirds have left for the season. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are constantly moving around as they defend territories, raise young, follow blooming flowers and begin migration. Keep your feeder up and filled with fresh nectar. You never know when one will stop in for a meal.

When do Ruby-throated Hummingbirds leave Ontario?

Most Ruby-throated Hummingbirds begin migrating south between late August and September, although some pass through Ontario into early October. Migration is triggered by shorter days, not by whether feeders are available. Leaving your feeder up into October can provide an important refuelling stop for migrating birds.

How often should I change hummingbird nectar?

If you're using homemade nectar, it should usually be changed every two to three days during hot weather, and every four to five days when temperatures are cooler.

If you're using Pinebush Hummingbird & Oriole Nectar Powder with Nectar Guard, the manufacturer states that the nectar can remain fresh for up to one week, even during hot weather. Even so, I still recommend giving your feeder a good cleaning each time you refill it. A clean feeder is just as important as fresh nectar.

Do Ruby-throated Hummingbirds come back to the same feeder every year?

They certainly can. Research has shown that hummingbirds have remarkable memories and can remember reliable food sources from previous years. If your yard consistently provides fresh nectar, flowers and a safe place to feed, there's a good chance they'll return.

Why is there only one hummingbird at my feeder?

There may actually be several.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are very territorial. One dominant bird will often chase the others away, making it look as though only one hummingbird is visiting. Try placing a second feeder on the opposite side of your yard where the two feeders can't be seen from one another. It often makes a surprising difference.

Can I leave my hummingbird feeder out too late?

Absolutely. One of the biggest myths is that leaving a feeder up will prevent hummingbirds from migrating. It won't. Migration is controlled by changing daylight, not by the availability of nectar. I usually recommend leaving feeders up for about two weeks after you've seen your last Ruby-throated Hummingbird, just in case a late migrant passes through.

Is homemade nectar better than store-bought nectar?

Both can be excellent choices when prepared properly.

Homemade nectar made with plain white sugar and water has worked well for generations. Commercial products like Pinebush Hummingbird & Oriole Nectar Powder offer the added convenience of easy mixing and include Nectar Guard, which helps slow the growth of mould, bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause nectar to spoil. Whatever nectar you choose, keeping your feeder clean is always the most important part of the equation.