Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that have evolved to feed on the nectar of flowers. Their long, slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted to reach into flowers and extract the sweet nectar. One of the flowers that hummingbirds are attracted to is the bleeding heart. But do hummingbirds actually get nectar from bleeding hearts? In this article, we’ll examine the characteristics of hummingbirds and bleeding hearts to find out.
What are hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, with most species only growing to about 3-5 inches long. Their name comes from the characteristic humming or buzzing sound their wings make as they beat up to 80 times per second. This allows them to hover in place and fly backwards or upside down.
There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds that live exclusively in the Americas. They can be found from Alaska to Chile, inhabiting a variety of habitats from rainforests to mountains to deserts. Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolisms and must consume large amounts of energy to survive.
What do hummingbirds eat?
To fuel their metabolisms, hummingbirds mainly eat nectar from flowers. They have long, specially adapted tongues that they use like straws to suck nectar out of flowers. Hummingbirds also eat small insects for essential proteins and nutrients. They have good color vision to help them locate flowers with abundant nectar. Their sense of smell also helps them find flowers.
Hummingbirds need to consume a lot of energy. They eat up to half their body weight in nectar per day across hundreds of feeding visits to flowers. They aggressively defend flower patches and territory with abundant nectar. By feeding on nectar, they also play an important role in plant pollination.
What are bleeding hearts?
Bleeding hearts are herbaceous perennial plants in the poppy family. There are several species, but most commonly known is the Eastern bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) native to North America. This species grows arching stems up to 3 feet tall and produce heart-shaped flowers that dangle and sway in the breeze.
Description of bleeding heart flowers
The flowers are very showy with pink and white petals. The outer petals are bright fuchsia pink. The inner petals are white and elongate into a nectar-filled spur. The flowers look like dripping hearts, which is how bleeding hearts got their name.
Bleeding hearts grow best in partial shade and moist, organically rich soil. When happy, a mature plant can produce dozens of flowers on multiple arching stems. Plants go dormant after flowering and foliage dies back until the next spring. Bleeding hearts are popular ornamental plants in woodland gardens, shady borders, and cut flower arrangements.
Do hummingbirds drink nectar from bleeding hearts?
Yes, hummingbirds readily feed on the nectar from bleeding heart flowers. Several features make the flowers attractive to hummingbirds seeking nectar.
Nectar-rich flowers
Bleeding heart flowers produce an ample amount of nectar deep inside the tubular spur. This provides a good energy reward for hummingbirds that visit the flowers. The abundant nectar attracts hummingbirds to return to bleeding hearts again and again.
Bright red flowers
Hummingbirds see color very well. They have excellent color vision and are attracted to tubular flowers in the red to orange color spectrum. The bright red outer petals of bleeding hearts stand out and attract hummingbirds from a distance.
Adapted shape
Bleeding heart flowers have elongated, tubular nectar spurs perfectly matched to the long beaks and tongues of hummingbirds. Hummingbirds can easily insert their specialized tongues deep into the spur to reach the nectar other insects and pollinators cannot.
So in addition to visual and olfactory cues, the physical traits like color, tubular shape, and nectar volume make bleeding hearts ideal for hummingbird pollination.
When do hummingbirds feed from bleeding hearts?
Hummingbirds will visit bleeding hearts to feed on nectar when the flowers are in bloom. This is typically during spring and early summer. The exact blooming period depends on the species and geographic location.
For example, Eastern bleeding hearts bloom April through June in most areas. Western bleeding hearts bloom March through July. Hummingbirds will return to the same bleeding heart plants year after year when the flowers are present.
Spring migration
The spring bloom of bleeding hearts coincides with the timing of hummingbird migration. Hummingbirds overwinter in warm climates like Mexico and Central America then migrate north to breed during the summer.
When they arrive in mid-spring, bleeding hearts are one of the few food sources available before most other flowers have bloomed. This makes bleeding hearts a critical early season food source for migrating hummingbirds.
Nesting and breeding
Hummingbirds also feed heavily on bleeding hearts while establishing breeding territories and nesting. The energy from bleeding heart nectar helps fuel their courtship displays, nest building, egg incubation, and raising young. An abundant source of bleeding hearts near hummingbird nest sites is beneficial.
Examples of hummingbirds that feed from bleeding hearts
Many different species of hummingbirds across North America visit bleeding hearts for nectar. Here are a few common examples:
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is the most widespread and only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. Males have a brilliant red throat and iridescent green back. Ruby-throats migrate long distances and readily feed on bleeding hearts.
Rufous Hummingbird
The Rufous Hummingbird breeds farther north than any other species, up to Alaska. It has coppery-orange plumage on the back and belly. Rufous hummers are common visitors to western bleeding hearts during migration and breeding.
Anna’s Hummingbird
Anna’s Hummingbirds are year-round residents along the Pacific Coast. Males have iridescent rose-pink throats and heads. Pairs nest as early as December and utilize bleeding hearts for nectar through summer.
Allen’s Hummingbird
The Allen’s Hummingbird breeds in coastal California and southern Oregon. Males have orange throats and rusty flanks. Females are green above and gray below. Allen’s are aggressive defenders of bleeding heart patches.
Other Species
Many other hummingbirds like Calliope, Black-chinned, Costa’s, and Broad-tailed also feed on bleeding hearts when they bloom in their breeding or migratory ranges.
How do hummingbirds feed from bleeding heart flowers?
Hummingbirds have specialized adaptations allowing them to obtain nectar from bleeding heart flowers:
Long beak and tongue
Hummingbirds have very long, slender beaks and extensible tongues perfect for probing deep into bleeding heart flowers. Their tongues extend to reach even the bottom of the long, tubular nectar spurs.
Hovering ability
Hummingbirds can precisely hover in front of flowers while licking nectar. They use their specialized helicopter-like flight to maintain position while feeding mid-air. This allows them to lick every last drop of nectar.
Head and bill manipulation
Hummingbirds skillfully manipulate their heads and bills to probe into different angles and orientations of flowers. This lets them exploit nectar from bleeding hearts arranged in clusters or hanging at odd angles.
Color vision
Excellent color vision helps hummingbirds quickly target bleeding hearts on the move. They can distinguish the red flowers among green foliage across distances.
High metabolism
A very high metabolic rate demands that hummingbirds feed frequently by visiting hundreds or more flowers per day. This drives them to seek out and remember reliable nectar sources like bleeding hearts.
Here is a step-by-step example of how a Ruby-throated Hummingbird accesses nectar from a bleeding heart flower:
1. Hover in front of flower cluster, using wings to maintain position
2. Insert long bill into nectar spur opening
3. Extend tongue through bill down spur to reach nectar
4. Lick up nectar while pumping tongue in and out
5. Repeat with all open flowers in cluster
6. Fly to next bleeding heart plant to continue feasting!
Do hummingbirds pollinate bleeding hearts?
Yes, one of the main reasons hummingbirds are attracted to bleeding hearts is that they are the most effective pollinators of the flowers. Their feeding activity transfers pollen between bleeding heart plants, allowing them to produce seed. Here’s how pollination happens:
Feeding behavior
Hummingbirds probe deeply into successive flowers, contacting the reproductive parts with their head and bill. As they feed on nectar, pollen sticks to their feathers and face.
Frequent visits
Hummingbirds visit hundreds of flowers per day seeking nectar. This frequent feeding behavior leads to many pollen-transferring visits between bleeding heart plants.
Energetic flight
Hummingbirds can fly great distances between flowers, even crossing miles between different bleeding heart patches. This enables genetic mixing between more isolated populations.
Co-evolution
Bleeding hearts and hummingbirds evolved together. Bleeding hearts rely solely on hummingbirds for pollination. And hummingbirds rely heavily on energy-rich bleeding heart nectar.
How to attract hummingbirds to bleeding hearts
Here are some tips to maximize hummingbird visits to bleeding hearts:
Plant red varieties
Hummingbirds see color better than humans. Choose dark red bleeding heart varieties to make flowers more visible and attractive.
Provide some shade
Bleeding hearts grow best with some shade, especially midday. This prevents wilting which reduces nectar production.
Deadhead spent blooms
Remove wilted flowers to encourage new bud formation and extend total bloom time.
Plant in groups
Cluster several bleeding hearts together so hummingbirds can move efficiently between plants.
Include other flowers
Supplement with other hummingbird favorites like bee balm, fuchsia, and trumpet vine.
Provide a water mister
Hummingbirds bathe and drink, so have a mister nearby to provide for all their needs.
Avoid pesticides
Pesticides reduce insect populations that hummingbirds eat, so use organic methods.
Set up feeders
Use sugar/water feeders to supplement natural food sources like bleeding hearts.
When to plant bleeding hearts for hummingbirds
Bleeding hearts are perennial plants, coming back each year from underground rhizome roots. Here is the optimal timing for planting bleeding hearts for hummingbirds:
Spring planting
Spring is the best time to plant bleeding hearts so they become established before going dormant in summer. Plant containers or bare-root plants in early spring after danger of hard frost but while still cool and moist.
Fall planting
Bleeding hearts can also be planted in early fall at least 6-8 weeks before first expected frost date. This gives roots time to establish before going dormant for winter.
Avoid summer planting
Unless irrigation is provided, avoid planting bleeding hearts during hot, dry summer conditions. The plants often struggle to get established and survive without sufficient water.
| Months | Planting Suitability |
|---|---|
| January-February | Too cold, ground frozen |
| March-April | Optimal spring planting window |
| May-August | Avoid hot, dry summer months |
| September-October | Suitable for fall planting |
| November-December | Too late, ground freezing again |
Where to plant bleeding hearts for hummingbirds
When deciding where to plant bleeding hearts, consider the following factors:
Soil
Bleeding hearts grow best in fertile, humus-rich, well-draining soil. Amend planting areas with compost or leaf mold to mimic their native conditions.
Sun exposure
Plant bleeding hearts where they will receive bright, indirect or dappled light but avoid hot, direct midday sun. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal.
Shelter
Protect bleeding hearts from strong winds which can damage the brittle stems and blossoms. Sites sheltered by trees, shrubs or structures are best.
Water availability
Ensure planted bleeding hearts have consistent moisture, especially while establishing. Consider irrigation if rainfall is inconsistent.
Pollinator visibility
Place bleeding hearts where their spring blooms will be visible and accessible to hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Multi-season interest
Surround bleeding hearts with companion plants that provide sequential blooms before and after. This sustains pollinators in the garden all season.
Companion plants for bleeding hearts
Here are some great options for companion plants that complement bleeding hearts in form, color and blooming season:
Early spring bloomers
- Crocuses
- Daffodils
- Hyacinths
- Fritillarias
These provide nectar before bleeding hearts emerge and bloom. Plant bulbs near bleeding hearts.
Late spring / early summer bloomers
- Peonies
- Irises
- Poppies
- Lupines
These extend floral resources after bleeding hearts fade. Interplant in shared beds.
Summer / fall bloomers
- Bee balm
- Turtlehead
- Agastache
- Sedum
These provide late food sources after bleeding hearts go dormant. Plant nearby.
Grasses / foliage
- Lady ferns
- Ostrich fern
- Sedges
- Ornamental grasses
These offer textural contrast to bleeding hearts. Surround or position behind plants.
Conclusion
In summary, hummingbirds are strongly attracted to the tubular red flowers and energy-rich nectar of bleeding hearts. Their specialized beaks, tongues and hovering ability allow them to access nectar bleeding hearts provide. And in the process, hummingbirds efficiently pollinate bleeding hearts.
Planting bleeding hearts where hummingbirds can find them and pairing them with other flowers that extend seasonal bloom are great ways to provide essential food for hummingbirds. By understanding the close relationship between hummingbirds and bleeding hearts, we can help support these amazing migratory pollinators in our gardens.
