Fairy Toadmother - I am certainly no expert because this is my first year closely observing hummers, but I have never seen a hummer go to echinacea. In my yard, even the butterflys don't go to it! But the other birds like it.

I do know that a juvenile hummingbird will investigate many different flowers before learning which ones provide the best stuff. I would put up the feeder now though, because they need the extra food energy for the long journey they are going to be making. Ruth

thanks for that note on butterflies. i always thought it was supposed to be a bf magnet but in 6 years i have only seen one land. bumblebees love them though.

i agree with you on the juvies, thanks for jogging my short circuit! i will be on the hunt in the garage tonight. the feeder got lost in the shuffle of a kitchen remodel.

I had a goldfinch visiting my echinacea today, and the hummer only went over to chase it away!

don't you just love little "guys" with big attitudes? :)

Never seen a hummer at my Coneflowers either. However, I did see a goldfinch on it for the first time today eating seeds. That was cool. Bumblebees love them, but not as highly attractive to butterflies as what I have read, at least where I live.

BN

i used to leave my ech heads for winter. then, the neighbor set up a feeder. i kid not, the birds seemed too lazy to collect from the flower after that.

i am thinking of using them in a winter feeder arrangement, but obviously not for hummers :)

I've seen the ruby-throateds go to my coneflowers this summer. It could very well be for the insects as much as anything.