While many birders are still missing their hummingbirds in February, southern-based birders enjoy these flying jewels all year round. That brings us to this week's reader question, from Andrea in Arizona...

"We've had this standard hummingbird feeder out for quite a while and it's just not visited. I refresh it every few days and it's in a traffic-free area; I can't figure out why the little birds are not visiting. We have another feeder on the other side of the yard that is frequented often. Any ideas?"

There are a lot of great ways to attract hummingbirds, but it can take them some time to find a new feeder, especially if they're used to feeding in a different area. You can try putting the new feeder closer to the popular one, then move it a few feet every week as the birds find and use it. Adding more red color - like a hanging basket of flowers - near the unused feeder can also help attract their attention. In time, they will find it, and you'll have even more hummingbirds to enjoy!

Do you have a bird-related question? Submit it to Mailbag Monday!

Lonely Hummingbird Feeder
Photo © Greg Walters