Quick Answer
Yes, geraniums can provide nectar that hummingbirds feed on. Hummingbirds are attracted to the bright red flowers of geraniums, especially the tubular shape which they can easily insert their long beaks into to reach the nectar. Geraniums produce small amounts of nectar compared to specialized hummingbird plants, but they can still be a supplemental food source. Planting geraniums near feeders or in areas where hummingbirds frequent is a great way to attract them.
Do hummingbirds get nectar from geraniums?
Hummingbirds have specially adapted long, slender beaks perfect for probing into flowers and accessing the nectar inside. While ornithophilous (bird-pollinated) flowers produce more abundant nectar, hummingbirds will visit a wide variety of flowers in search of food. This includes geraniums, which produce a small amount of nectar at the base of their tubular flowers. So yes, hummingbirds can and do extract nectar from geranium flowers. They are especially attracted to red geraniums, as hummingbirds see the color red as a bright bullseye on where to find nectar.
What type of nectar do hummingbirds prefer?
Hummingbirds prefer nectar that has a higher sugar concentration, somewhere in the range of 25-40%. This gives them the biggest burst of energizing fuel. The nectar of ornithophilous flowers has adapted to be especially high in sugar content to specifically attract hummingbirds. The nectar of geraniums is lower in sugar, but hummingbirds will still visit them for the small dose of energy. Essentially, geranium nectar is not their first choice but better than nothing in the absence of a specialized hummingbird plant.
Do hummingbirds have a good sense of smell?
While it was previously assumed hummingbirds rely on vision more than smell to locate nectar sources, recent research shows hummingbirds do have a good sense of smell. Their olfactory bulb in the brain is well developed for their size. Scientists found hummingbirds can detect scents, which helps them locate nectar sources like fragrant flowers. So smell does play a role in their foraging, adding to their excellent color vision. This makes geraniums, which have a light floral scent, even more attractive.
What types of geraniums attract hummingbirds?
The most attractive geraniums for hummingbirds are:
- Red geraniums – Bright red blooms act as a bullseye visual cue.
- Scented geraniums – Fragrance helps lure hummingbirds in.
- Single flower blooms – Easy for hummingbirds to access nectar.
- Tubular blooms – Perfect shape for hummingbird beaks to fit into.
Popular red tubular, single bloom varieties that work well:
- Patriot Red Geranium
- Kim Round Red Geranium
- Ringo Scarlet Geranium
These brightly colored, fragrant selections with easy-to-access flowers will help attract the most hummingbirds to your geranium garden.
Where should geraniums be planted to attract hummingbirds?
To increase visits by hungry hummingbirds seeking out flowers with nectar, strategic geranium placement matters. Consider planting geraniums:
- Near hummingbird feeders
- Along borders and fences
- Around seating areas for viewing
- In mixed flower beds and containers
- Near windows so hummingbirds entertain while indoors
Position geraniums in visible areas where hummingbirds already frequent, supplementing spots where you know they will already be looking for food.
Do hummingbirds eat anything other than nectar from flowers?
While nectar is their main food source, hummingbirds also get nutrition from these sources:
- Insects – Eat small insects like flies, mosquitoes, spiders, aphids
- Tree sap – Sap from sapsucker holes provides needed nutrients
- Pollen – Collected when visiting multiple flowers
- Sugar water – From artificial feeders people supply
- Fruit – Occasionally small berries provide food
The protein from eating insects and the nutrients from tree sap and pollen help balance the highly sugary nectar diet. So while hummingbirds rely heavily on nectar, they welcome alternate sources like geraniums for nutritional diversity.
Do hummingbirds have a good memory?
Research shows hummingbirds have excellent memory and recall to support their nectar feeding. When hummingbirds visit multiple flowers, they are able to remember which ones they have previously visited and which ones still likely have nectar. Their spatial memory allows them to precisely map locations and return to productive feeding spots. Scientists found hummingbirds return to emptied flowers less frequently, indicating they avoid spots they know were already tapped. Their incredible memory means hummingbirds will remember productive geranium plants and return to them repeatedly.
| Hummingbird Species | Nectar Consumption |
|---|---|
| Ruby-throated Hummingbird | 100% of diet |
| Rufous Hummingbird | 60-70% of diet |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird | 50% of diet |
| Allen’s Hummingbird | 35% of diet |
As seen, nectar comprises 35% to 100% of various hummingbird species’ nutritional needs. This shows why they seek out flower nectar from sources like geraniums to fulfill the bulk of their energy requirements.
How much do hummingbirds eat?
Despite being very small birds, hummingbirds have astonishingly high metabolisms and energy needs. Here is how much hummingbirds eat:
- Up to 8 times their body weight in nectar each day
- Hundreds of flower visits daily
- Approximately every 10-15 minutes they need to eat
- Hundreds of calories required to support energy for fast flight and metabolism
Given their frequent, high-volume nectar diet, every bit helps. So while geraniums may supply less than specialized hummingbird flowers, they can still provide a meaningful amount of food. Even small contributions add up for hummingbirds’ immense energy demands.
How many calories does a hummingbird need per day?
Due to their tiny size but incredibly energetic lifestyle, hummingbirds require lots of calories in proportion to their weight. Some estimated daily calorie needs by species:
- Ruby-throated – 300-500 calories per day
- Black-chinned – 400-600 calories per day
- Rufous – 500-800 calories per day
- Anna’s – 400-600 calories per day
- Allen’s 400-600 calories per day
This translates to hummingbirds getting 25%-100% of their daily calories from nectar. Every bit from flowers like geraniums contributes to their high energy demands.
Conclusion
In summary, geraniums can provide supplemental nectar to feed hummingbirds. Their red tubular flowers specially attract hummingbirds seeking carbohydrate-rich nectar to fuel their metabolisms. While geraniums produce less nectar than some specialized hummingbird flowers, they are still a useful additional food source. Their bright colors, fragrance, and shape make accessing the nectar easy for hummingbirds. Strategically planting red, single-flowered geranium varieties near hummingbird hotspots can help draw these energetic birds to your garden. So if you want to invite more hummingbirds into your yard, adding some geraniums is an excellent way to feed these tiniest of pollinators.
