I believe in the majority of cases the artificial nesting platforms are unsuccessful. Hummers have been know to nest in unusual areas but of their own choosing.

Penny

Yeah.. I bought that Duncraft one for my mother like 4 yrs ago..they never used it.. didn't even go to it for the nesting materials. :(

Okay. Thanks for your replies.

If you did have one of those nesting thingies, were to put it? It seems like they are for under porches or such but I thought hummers nested in trees. We only have ruby throats here.

Well, I could help myself. I bought the nesting platforms. They come two in a box and by reading the directions I have learned alot.

First thing they said was that the mother hummer always starts two nests. Then she decides on the one she wants to commit too and finishes and uses that. Therefore put up two of the platforms.

Key to success, according to directions, is to place them out of the wind. This was stressed as being most important. Windy locations would be ignored. Under the eves and in a corner, therefore out of the wind, was the suggested spot. Now, I was going to put this in a different location altogether until I read the directions. So I looked around and I have three perfect spots for the nests and two other spots I am thinking on.

It said quite plainly that they have had nesting success with Ruby Throated, which is all we get here and a bunch of others.

Those Hummer nesting platforms came and I put them up. If I have any sucess, I will be sure to let you all know.

Awesome! I'm eagerly awaiting your results! :)

My mother always got the nest her crepe myrtles, without fail. I never have. Of course now she feeds them too, but previoisly she never did. I'd always get jealous because I tried so hard and she never did a thing.

Neat! The only couple of hummer nests I have ever noticed were in the center of a cedar tree. In fact, that cedar tree is only allowed to remain for the hummers. I imagine the thick cedar tree foliage reduces wind exposure and it would be very difficult for any predator to climb into it.