There is no wide agreement on whether or not sugar water is a good replacement for flower nectar. Hummingbirds feed by hovering in front of a flower, sticking their long bills deep inside, and lapping up nectar with a long, tubular tongue. Their tongues are covered with a rough surface to help collect flower nectar. If you want to attract hummingbirds, plant plenty of red flowers in your yard. Hummers love red and will always inspect anything that color.
Hollyhocks are favorite flowers, as are blossoms on squash, gourd and pumpkin vines.
Put your first feeder near the flowers. You can move it to the house window once birds begin to use it. The next time you see one, remember that you're looking at one of the most unusual animals alive and that the tiny creature you enjoy so much may have flown across the Gulf of Mexico to feed in your back yard.