The best way to attract hummingbirds to your yard is to provide them with a feeder full of nourishing nectar. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, so having a red feeder is ideal. Place it near trees, shrubs, or flowering plants that provide hummingbirds with places to perch and natural sources of food. Keep the feeder clean and full of fresh nectar, which you can make by mixing 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Boil the mixture for 1-2 minutes and let it cool before filling your feeder. Providing running water nearby, such as from a fountain or mister, will also help attract these thirsty birds. Once hummingbirds find your feeder, they will return again and again.
Choosing the Right Location
When it comes to attracting hummingbirds, location is key. Hang your feeder in a spot that provides some protection from the wind, rain, and harsh sun. Near trees, shrubs, or other plants is ideal so hummingbirds have a place to perch and take shelter. Morning sun is great since hummingbirds are most active early in the day. Avoid areas near walkways or high traffic zones which could startle them away. A quiet location with some dappled sunlight filtering through leaves is perfect.
Using Red Feeders
Hummingbirds are naturally attracted to the color red, so having a red feeder is ideal. The color reminds them of the red tubular flowers from which they naturally drink nectar. Choose a feeder with red flowers painted on it or a solid bright red color. Stay away from dark shades like burgundy which are harder for hummingbirds to see. Having red accents is great too, like a red cover, perches, or feeding ports. Red attracts the most hummingbirds, though other bright colors like yellow, orange, and purple will work too.
Filling Your Feeder
To keep hummingbirds coming back, your feeder needs to provide nourishing nectar. Make your own by mixing 1 part white, refined sugar with 4 parts water. Bring it to a boil for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly so the sugar fully dissolves. Let the nectar solution cool to room temperature before filling your feeder. Never use honey, artificial sweeteners, food coloring, or brown sugar, as these can harm hummingbirds. To prevent fermentation, change the nectar every 2-3 days in hot weather and every 5-7 days in cooler temps. Rinse feeders with hot water only – no soap! The red color washes off.
Ideal Plants to Provide Food
In addition to a feeder, having certain plants in your yard provides natural food sources hummingbirds love. Native flowers with tubular red blooms full of nectar are best. Some top choices include cardinal flower, trumpet vine, bee balm, fuchsia, coral honeysuckle, and columbine. Plant these near your feeder so hummingbirds have supplemental food options. Trees like oak, maple, and pine provide sap, ants, spiders and other insects hummingbirds eat too. Maintain flowering plants by deadheading spent blooms to encourage new growth.
Providing Running Water
After feeding on sugary nectar, hummingbirds need water to prevent dehydration. Providing a fresh water source will attract more of these birds to your space. Dripping fountains or misters work great since the moving water catches their eye. Add a few fresh flower petals or pieces of fruit to sweeten it. Change the water daily to keep it clean and appealing. You can also use a shallow bird bath with drip feature, adding rocks for perches. Site it near your feeder and plants so hummingbirds can easily access the water.
Cleaning Your Feeder
To prevent harmful bacteria or fungus, it’s essential to clean your hummingbird feeder every 2-3 days. Use hot water and either a bottle brush, pipe cleaner, or dishwasher to scrub the feeding ports, base, and perches where nectar can collect and spoil. Avoid using soap because it removes the red color from plastic feeders. Rinse thoroughly and allow all parts to air dry before refilling with fresh nectar. Cleaning regularly keeps your feeder safe and appealing to hummingbirds.
Avoiding Pesticides and Insecticides
Hummingbirds may accidentally consume small insects when feeding on nectar, so using chemical pesticides and insecticides can be very dangerous. These can cause serious harm if ingested. Opt for natural alternatives like insecticidal soaps, beneficial insects, and barrier methods like netting. Only use pest control chemicals as a last resort, and seek out ones labeled as safe for hummingbirds and pollinators. Never spray near feeders or flowering plants hummingbirds visit.
Safety From Outdoor Cats
Outdoor cats are major predators of hummingbirds. To keep these tiny birds safe, fit feeders and plants with protective cages or covers to block access. Place feeders on a tall pole with a foil wrap to deter cats from climbing up. Add motion activated water sprayers or sound deterrents nearby. Keep cats indoors or supervise time outside. Hummingbird feeders should be well out of a cat’s reach and enclosures used to protect ground beds.
Avoiding Ants and Bees
Ants and bees can overrun hummingbird feeders in search of a sweet treat. Prevent this by adding a water moat or smearing petroleum jelly on hanging wires and poles. Only hang feeders using fishing line or monofilament making it harder for insects to reach the nectar. Clean up drips right away before they attract pests. For bees, consider moving feeders farther away from their hives or nests. Using feeders with built-in ant guards or bee guards can also help.
Deterring Larger Birds
Aggressive larger birds like sparrows may scare hummingbirds away and monopolize feeders. Use feeder styles made just for hummingbirds with perches too small for bully birds to land on. Opt for saucer or trough-shaped feeders rather than vertical tubes. Adding more feeders spreads the birds out. Move feeders away from trees and cover used by larger birds as perches for diving onto the nectar. Never use insect nets as predator birds can get trapped and injured.
Preventing Mold and Fermentation
Stale, old nectar left in feeders can quickly ferment or grow mold. Both can make hummingbirds ill. Avoid this by changing the nectar every 2-3 days in hot weather, and every 5-7 days in cooler temperatures. Use only refined white sugar, never brown or raw sugars which accelerate spoilage. Let nectar cool fully before filling the feeder to limit condensation inside. Check for any cloudy appearance or black specks which indicate mold. Routine cleaning prevents contamination too.
Nectar Nutrition Facts
The ideal homemade nectar for hummingbirds contains 1 part white sugar dissolved in 4 parts water. This proportion closely matches the natural sugar concentrations in flower nectar. Table sugar provides a simplified sucrose solution without unwanted additives. Boiling helps the sugar fully dissolve and prevents early crystallization. Avoid substituting honey, which can promote yeast growth, or artificial sweeteners which offer no nutritional value. Keep nectar fresh by changing it out routinely to supply essential energy.
Ideal Feeder Styles
Selecting the right hummingbird feeder style for your needs is key. Saucer-shaped feeders allow multiple birds to feed at once. Cylinder or bottle feeders work well in windy areas and offer a quantity of nectar. For porches or small spaces, try a window mount. Look for nectar draw tubes extending up into a reservoir to reduce ant access. Built-in perches, bee guards, and ant moats are useful features too. Having multiple feeder types provides options to meet hummingbird preferences.
Handmade Nectar Feeders
Want to get creative? You can handcraft homemade hummingbird feeders using simple household items. Plastic bottles, mason jars, or even cut open tennis balls work great. Poke holes for entry points and add some red color with paint or tape. Include a hanger and focus on a design that is easy to clean and refill. Get kids involved to learn about these special birds firsthand. Recycled materials like containers and cups can become fun DIY feeders.
Nectar Storage and Handling
To keep hummingbird nectar fresh and appealing longer, proper storage is key. Store unused nectar concentrate in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Discard any with signs of clouding or molds. When making a batch, let the boiled mixture fully cool to reduce separation and condensation in the feeder. Never add food coloring, honey, or anything besides plain white sugar to your nectar recipe. Handle feeders carefully when full to avoid leaks or spills which can quickly attract pests.
Hummingbird History and Facts
Hummingbirds are unique little birds with some fascinating background. They are native species across the Americas, with the Ruby-throated Hummingbird commonly seen in Eastern U.S. forests. Their name comes from the characteristic humming or buzzing sound of their rapid wing beats. Hummingbirds have the fastest metabolism of all animals due to their high energy hovering flight methods. They visit up to 1,000 flowers per day seeking nectar. Providing feeders offers these tiny birds reliable nutrition.
Overwintering Hummingbirds
Some hardy hummingbird species like Anna’s and Rufous Hummingbirds may overwinter in northern regions rather than migrating south. They enter a state of torpor at night to conserve energy when flowers and insects are scarce. Supplying nectar in feeders gives them critical food to survive cold months. Pumping warm air up into nest shelters also helps provide warmth. Plant frost-resistant late bloomers and trim plants around feeders so birds can access the nectar easily in snow and ice.
Hummingbird Nesting Needs
Hummingbirds often nest in trees and shrubs in backyards where feeders are present. They prefer small, cup-shaped nests on downward sloping branches away from prevailing winds and rain. Use soft natural plant fibers in nest construction, often decorating the outside with lichen or moss camouflage. Females alone build nests and care for the babies. Providing nesting materials like pet fur or wool for them to collect helps hummingbirds establish nests to raise young.
Unique Traits for Survival
Hummingbirds have many specialized traits allowing them to thrive. Their wings beat up to 200 times per second, letting them fly in any direction and even upside down. Long needle-like bills perfectly adapted to reach inside flowers. Swift reflexes help them escape predators. Some species enter torpor to conserve energy. Their tiny size helps them evade detection. Excellent memory guides them to reliable food sources. Each feature helps hummingbirds master feeding, nesting, and the dangers of their habitats.
Providing Cover and Shelter
Hummingbirds need places to find shelter from wind, rain, and too much sun exposure as they feed. Planting dense shrubs and trees provides cover for them to take breaks and preen themselves. Hanging branches also offer perches for hummingbirds to rest between meals. Arrange feeders and plants near porches, overhangs, and other covered spots to offer protection from weather. Having feeders in multiple sheltered locations gives hummingbirds options throughout your yard.
Return Migration Patterns
Most hummingbirds that summer in the U.S. and Canada migrate south in the fall to warmer climates for winter. Their return migration north often coincides with early spring blooms which supply essential food after the long journey. Providing nectar feeders in early spring helps sustain hummingbirds immediately upon arrival before flower blossoms open fully. Once established at feeders after migration, the same hummingbirds tend to return to that food source year after year.
Hummingbird Species in the U.S.
There are over 300 species of hummingbirds worldwide, with about a dozen commonly seen types in the U.S. Ruby-throated and Rufous hummingbirds frequent eastern and western regions. Allen’s, Anna’s, Calliope, and Costa’s prefer coastal and southern states. Blue-throated, Broad-tailed, and Magnificent hummingbirds inhabit the southwest. Know your local species and when they migrate to best support them. Providing food, water and shelter meets all species’ basic needs.
Banding Hummingbirds for Research
Scientists band hummingbirds by gently placing a tiny numbered metal ring around one leg. This allows tracking of migration patterns and population changes to inform conservation. Colorful dye spots may also be used. Finding a banded hummingbird at your feeder provides valuable data if you report it. Participate in research by permitting access to band birds using your property. Let curious young minds observe too!
Hummingbird Calls and Vocalizations
Hummingbird vocalizations are simple but varied, used mostly during courtship and competition. Males perform dive displays making rapid chirping sounds to attract females. High-pitched squeaking indicates alarm or aggression if another bird approaches a feeder. Nighttime nest chattering may act as communication between paired mates. Windy wing trills are used during competitive chasing. Getting to know the species in your yard will help identify their distinct calls.
Flight Speeds and Distance
Hummingbirds are remarkable flyers capable of hovering and sudden bursts of speed. Their wings beat up to 70 times per second in normal flight, and over 200 times per second in courtship dives. The fastest recorded speed is 38 miles per hour during escape maneuvers. Though small, they can travel surprisingly long distances, with many species migrating hundreds of miles twice per year. Their specialized flight muscles account for up to a quarter of their tiny body weight.
Wind Chimes and Hummingbirds
Adding wind chimes near your hummingbird feeding area can provide extra appeal through sensory stimulation. The movement and tinkling sounds catch their attention and can draw hummingbirds in to explore. Choose wind chimes made from natural materials like bamboo or wood to avoid deterring birds. Avoid very loud, clashing chimes and place out of direct flight paths. Consider windsocks, pinwheels or ribbons for more visual effects hummingbirds may enjoy.
Photographing Hummingbirds
With patience and the right approach, you can get beautiful photos of hummingbirds visiting your feeders and flowers. Use a zoom lens and fast shutter speed to capture their rapid motion. Set up early when light is lower and birds are more active. Having a backdrop of flowers helps the small birds stand out in photos. Avoid camera flashes and sudden movements that startle them. The more comfortable they become in the space, the better photo opportunities you’ll have.
Hummingbird Population Threats
Though beautiful and nimble, hummingbirds face threats that put their populations at risk. Habitat loss from development removes food sources and nesting sites. Pesticides reduce available insect prey. Outdoor cats prey on birds. Window strikes are a major hazard. You can help through conservation, reducing threats on your property, keeping cats inside, and using deterrents on windows.
Citizen Science Opportunities
You can make meaningful contributions to hummingbird conservation by participating in citizen science initiatives. Submit data on sightings to eBird to help track migrations. Report banded bird encounters to organizations like USGS Bird Banding Lab. Join the Hummingbird Monitoring Network to share info on population trends. Having your yard certified by the National Wildlife Federation also supports habitats.
Hummingbirds and Gardens
Want to attract hummingbirds specifically to your garden space? Include a diversity of bright, tubular, nectar-rich flowers that provide food through spring, summer, and fall. Plant in dense beds as hummingbirds feel safer with cover. eliminate pesticides and ensure water sources are nearby. Set up feeders on poles over beds for full coverage. Having mister attachments on hoses keeps flowers and birds hydrated. Invite hummingbirds into your garden oasis!
Fascinating Courtship Displays
Male hummingbirds perform elaborate courtship displays to attract mates and defend territory. One famous behavior is the dive display, with males climbing high then plummeting down while chirping loudly. They may also dance artfully in the air or perch and spread tail feathers. Females observe these acts to assess fitness. Understanding these rituals provides insight into the lives of hummingbirds in your habitat.
Impact of Climate Change
As average temperatures increase and seasonal weather shifts, hummingbirds’ migration and feeding patterns are disrupted. Early springs mean missed timing with flower blooms after migration. Sustaining adequate food year round may require additional artificial feeders
