Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to the bright, vibrant flowers of sunflowers. Their long beaks allow them to access the nectar hidden inside the flower, providing them with an excellent source of food. But do hummingbirds truly gain anything from visiting sunflowers? Let’s explore the unique relationship between these tiny birds and their towering plant partners.
The Appeal of Sunflowers
With their large, golden flower heads, it’s easy to see why sunflowers are so attractive to hummingbirds. There are a few key features that make them ideal for these nimble nectar feeders.
- Bright, visible flowers. The bright yellow petals of a sunflower stand out against green foliage, acting like a beacon for hungry hummingbirds.
- Large amounts of nectar. A single sunflower head can contain up to 1-2 teaspoons of nutrient-rich nectar. This provides an excellent source of food for hummingbirds.
- Accessible nectar. Sunflowers have short, open faces that allow hummingbirds easy access to the nectar with their specialized long beaks and tongues.
In addition, sunflowers tend to bloom during the summer and early fall which coincides with the breeding season for many hummingbird species. The extra calories provided by sunflowers fuel the high energy demands hummingbirds have during this reproductive period.
Nutritious Nectar
Hummingbirds have a strictly nectar-based diet. Sunflower nectar provides an ideal source of nutrition for these tiny birds who need to consume up to half their body weight in nectar each day.
The main nutrients found in sunflower nectar include:
- Sugars – Sunflower nectar is typically 15-30% sugar, providing quick energy.
- Amino acids – Specifically proline, an important amino acid for hummingbirds.
- Electrolytes – Like sodium and potassium to maintain fluid balance.
- Antioxidants – Carotenoids that may boost the immune system.
- Small amounts of proteins and lipids – For growth and function.
This combination of sugars, electrolytes, antioxidants and other nutrients is perfectly adapted to the dietary requirements of hummingbirds. The nectar provides quick energy but also contains protein building blocks and antioxidants to keep the birds healthy.
Pollination Services
In addition to gaining nutrition, hummingbirds also provide an important ecological service to sunflowers – pollination. As the birds move from flower to flower sipping nectar, pollen grains stick to their heads and bodies. When they visit the next sunflower, some of this pollen rubs off which fertilizes the plant so it can produce seeds.
Research indicates hummingbirds are more effective pollinators of sunflowers compared to insects like bees. A 2016 study found that sunflower plants visited by both bees and hummingbirds produced over 5 times more seeds compared to plants only visited by bees.1 The combined pollination services of bees and hummingbirds resulted in the highest seed production.
Therefore, the nectar-for-pollination exchange provides a clear mutual benefit between hummingbirds and sunflowers. The birds get food while the plants get pollinated so they can reproduce. This coevolved relationship demonstrates how tightly interconnected hummingbirds and sunflowers are.
Do Hummingbirds Have a Preference for Sunflowers?
Given the benefits sunflowers provide, do hummingbirds actively seek them out? Or do they visit them simply because they happen to be in bloom when the birds need food?
Research looking at hummingbird feeding preferences provides some insight:
- A study in Arizona found that broad-billed hummingbirds chose sunflowers over other native plants like ocotillo or prickly pear cactus when multiple feeders were available.2 This indicates they have a preference for sunflowers.
- Another study in Colorado found that sunflowers attracted a high diversity of visiting hummingbird species. Five different species were documented visiting sunflower plants.3 The popularity of sunflowers among multiple hummingbirds shows their universal appeal.
However, even though they are attracted to sunflowers, hummingbirds still need a variety of flower types. While sunflowers may compose a significant portion of a hummingbird’s diet, relying solely on one plant species could lead to nutritional deficiencies. Hummingbirds obtain different nutrients from the nectar of different flowers. Flower diversity helps ensure hummingbirds get all the nutrients they require.
Simple Steps to Attract Hummingbirds
Based on the scientific evidence, it’s clear that providing sunflowers in your garden, yard, or neighborhood is an excellent way to attract and benefit hummingbirds. Here are some simple tips to help you get started:
- Plant both annual and perennial sunflower varieties to extend blooms from summer into fall.
- Choose single-headed sunflowers which give easier access to nectar than multi-headed varieties.
- Plant clusters of at least 3-5 sunflower plants together to make it more visible.
- Allow some heads to go to seed, providing an additional food source.
- Supplement with other hummingbird-friendly flowers like bee balm, columbine, or petunias.
- Consider a dedicated sunflower bed, planting new flowers every 2-3 weeks for continuous bloom.
With a little planning, you can create beautiful sunflower displays that provide an appealing habitat for hummingbirds while enhancing your garden’s visual appeal. It’s a win-win for both humans and birds!
The Bottom Line
So do hummingbirds get anything from sunflowers? The resounding answer is yes! These energetic birds benefit greatly from sunflowers in the following ways:
- Nutritious, abundant nectar to fuel their metabolisms
- Bright, easy-to-access flowers perfect for their feeding method
- Blooms during key reproductive period
- Opportunity to provide valuable pollination
- Flowers they actively seek out and prefer
In return, hummingbirds pollinate the sunflowers so the next generation can grow. This reciprocal relationship clearly shows the value sunflowers have in supporting hummingbird populations.
By planting clusters of hummingbird-friendly sunflowers, you can easily transform your yard into a haven that attracts these delightful birds. Enjoy the magic of watching ruby-throated beauties hover gracefully from flower to flower against a backdrop of sunny yellow blooms. Both you and the hummingbirds will benefit from the joy this sight will bring!
