Black-Chinned Hummingbird (GNU Free Documentation license)

Even if you try to attract hummingbirds with feeders or plants, you may not see any hummingbirds (or only a few vagrants) for several reasons.

1. The Wrong Geographic Location

You will not see native hummingbirds outside the Americas. Of the 14 species in the United States, most can be seen only in the western and southern states.

Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, GNU Free Documentation license

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only hummingbird that breeds east of the Mississippi.

If you live in the region bounded loosely by the Rocky Mountains, the Mississippi River, the southern United States, and Canada, you may only see a few vagrant hummingbirds, like the ruby-throated hummingbirds. For the most part, North American hummingbird ranges don't include the Great Plains.

2. An Urban Location

Hummingbirds like less populated areas.

If you live in an urban environment with little or no flower gardens with a few miles of your residence, you will have trouble attracting hummingbirds to your wildlife porch, patio, deck, or balcony.

3. Lack of Trees and Shrubs

Hummingbirds use trees and shrubs for cover and nesting. Feeders without much cover nearby may not attract hummingbirds

4. The Wrong Plants

You may opt to attract hummingbirds with nectar plants that hummingbirds favor. However, not all plants reputed to attract hummingbirds actually do.

Perhaps you picked a cultivar of a particular plant blooming in a different color or one that has very little nectar compared to the original.

Or perhaps you live in the western United States and the plant you have is favored by the ruby-throated hummingbird of the eastern United States, not your local hummingbirds.

More Information

• Wikipedia's entry on hummingbirds
• How to Enjoy Hummingbirds
  
• Hummingbird Research and Records
• The Aviary's article on hummingbirds