Hummingbirds are captivating little birds that are a joy to watch. Many people want to attract hummingbirds to their yards by setting up hummingbird feeders. While feeding hummingbirds is relatively easy, enticing them to nest is more challenging. Here are some tips on how to get a hummingbird to nest in a hummingbird house.
Choose the Right Location
Location is key when it comes to hummingbird nesting. Here are some things to consider when picking a spot:
- Place the house in an open area away from bushes and dense foliage. Hummingbirds like to have a clear flight path to and from the nest.
- Face the entrance towards nearby trees or branches. This gives the birds a launching pad to fly to the nest.
- Elevate the house at least 5-10 feet off the ground. This helps deter predators.
- Avoid locations that are too windy. Hummingbirds don’t like their nests to sway in the breeze.
- Make sure there is no wiring or obstacles in the flight path. Hummingbirds will abandon a site that they have to maneuver too much to get to.
Ideally, place the nesting house in a spot that meets all of these criteria. Observe where hummingbirds tend to frequent in your yard and position it accordingly.
Get the Right House
The design of the hummingbird house matters. Look for these features when selecting one:
- A sturdy hanger or mounting system that allows the house to be positioned properly
- Made of durable, weatherproof materials
- Multiple perches for resting outside the entrance
- Adequate drainage and ventilation holes
- An entrance that is 1-1.5 inches across to prevent bees from entering
- No perches or ledges on the interior where parasites can hide
Avoid decorative houses made of plastic or resin. Go for a durable wooden house or one made of thick plastic instead.
Good House Designs
Here are some top-rated hummingbird house designs:
| House | Features |
|---|---|
| Perky-Pet 21050 Flower House | Metal hanger, plastic construction, multiple perches |
| Nature’s Way Bird CWH3 Cedar House | Cedar wood, hanger wire, drainage holes |
| Songbird Essentials SE503 House | Cedar wood, multiple perches, metal hanger |
Offer Nesting Materials
Hummingbirds build their tiny nests out of a variety of soft plant fibers. To encourage nesting, provide some nesting materials near the hummingbird house such as:
- Cotton balls
- Pet or human hair
- Tree bark fibers
- Spider webs
- Lichen or moss
- Dog, cat, or horse hair
- Shredded tissues or paper
Place these materials in a mesh bag or container near the hummingbird house. The hummingbirds can pull the fibers they need to build their nests. Just make sure to use only natural fibers, not synthetics.
Have Patience
It can take time for hummingbirds to discover and start using a new nesting house. Here are some tips for being patient:
- Don’t get discouraged if they don’t use it the first year. It can take multiple seasons.
- Keep the house up year-round so they get accustomed to it.
- Consider moving it to a slightly different spot if they haven’t used it after 2-3 years.
- Resist peeking inside too frequently as they often abandon nests if disturbed.
- Don’t give up! Persistence pays off when attracting hummingbirds.
Even if hummingbirds nested elsewhere previously, they may eventually discover and switch to using a manmade house. So hang in there!
Avoid Disturbing Nesting Birds
Once hummingbirds start using the nesting house, take measures to avoid disturbing them:
- Don’t open, move, or inspect inside the house.
- Don’t trim branches or vegetation right next to the house.
- Only refill feeders closest to the house when the females leave to forage.
- Turn off outdoor lights near the nest at night.
- Put off gardening or noisy maintenance until after nesting season.
Mother hummingbirds are very dedicated but sensitive. If an active nest is disturbed too much, they may abandon it. So let them be once they start nesting.
Signs a Hummingbird Is Nesting
Watch for these behaviors to know if hummingbirds are using the nesting house:
- Seeing birds flying to and from the entrance
- Spotting nesting material sticking out of the hole
- Noticing females spending time perched nearby
- Observing males displaying courtship behavior
- Hearing chirping sounds coming from the house
Once hummingbirds settle in to nest, they will use the house for multiple cycles throughout the season. So enjoy observing their behaviors!
Deter Potential Nest Predators
Hummingbird nests are vulnerable to predators like squirrels, cats, jays, and snakes. Here are some tips to help keep them safe:
- Coat the mounting pole with petroleum jelly to prevent ants and snakes from climbing.
- Install a predator guard below the entrance.
- Keep feeders at least 10 feet away from the house since they can attract jays and squirrels.
- Trim back branches around the house so squirrels can’t jump onto it.
- Use deterrents like plastic owls, rubber snakes, or predator urine near the nest.
As much as possible, make it difficult for predators to access the hummingbird nests. Protecting them will encourage hummingbirds to return year after year.
Common Hummingbird Nest Predators
| Predator | Prevention Strategies |
|---|---|
| Squirrels | Trim branches, coat pole with petroleum jelly |
| Ants | Coat pole, use Tanglefoot |
| Snakes | Predator guard, coat pole |
| Cats | Bells, keep indoors during nesting |
Provide a Water Source
Hummingbirds bathe and drink frequently while nesting. Providing a water source near the hummingbird house is helpful with the following guidelines:
- Use a dripper, mister, or fountain for moving water.
- Refresh the water daily to prevent mosquitoes.
- Place it in the shade to help it stay cool in summer.
- Position it at least 10 feet from the house to avoid predators.
- Add stones so the water is no deeper than 1 inch.
The sound and movement of the water will be attractive to the hummingbirds. Just be sure to keep it clean and not position it too close to the nest.
Ideal Water Sources
Here are some excellent artificial water sources to try:
- Dripping bottle or jug
- Misting nozzle or sprayer
- Oscillating sprinkler
- Small pond fountain
- Birdbath with dripper or mister
Items like these provide drinking and bathing water the hummingbirds will appreciate during nesting season.
Supplement Their Diet
Feeding hummingbirds supplementary nectar helps provide the energy they need while nesting. Here are some tips:
- Use a 20% sugar nectar mix (1 part sugar to 4 parts water).
- Avoid red dye, which is unhealthy.
- Clean feeders every 2-3 days to prevent mold.
- Place feeders in shady spots to help nectar last longer.
- Have multiple feeders spread wide apart to minimize crowding.
Try to place at least one feeder in close proximity to the hummingbird house. But also have some spread farther apart to reduce squabbles.
Ideal Feeder Styles
These feeder designs work well for nesting hummingbirds:
- Saucer or disk feeders
- Glass tube or bulb feeders
- Dripping/leaking feeders
- Mesh pouch feeders
Use feeders tailored to hummingbirds, not generic bird feeders. And go for types that are easy to clean and fill.
Let the Young Fledge Naturally
Once the baby hummingbirds hatch and mature, resist any urge to interfere with them fledging (leaving the nest). Guidelines include:
- Allow the mother to continue feeding and caring for the babies.
- Don’t open the nest or handle the fledglings.
- Don’t remove the chicks from or move the nest.
- Refrain from trimming vegetation near the nest.
- Let the babies leave when ready on their own.
It’s tough not to help, but the healthiest option is letting mama hummingbird supervise her babies until their natural departure from the nest. Avoid tampering.
Signs Babies Are Ready to Fledge
Watch for these behaviors in the weeks before the hummingbirds fledge:
- Seeing the chicks peek out of the nest entrance
- Noticing the babes flap wings frequently inside the nest
- Observing the nestlings perch on the rim of the entrance
- Watching attempts at hovering near the nest
When hummingbird chicks exhibit increased activity like this, it means they will soon be ready to leave the nest.
Clean the House After Nesting
Once the hummingbirds have finished nesting for the season, cleanup of the house includes:
- Removing old nesting material and debris
- Checking for small nest invaders like mites
- Sealing holes or gaps if needed
- Wiping the interior with a 10% bleach solution
- Rinsing thoroughly and allowing to air dry
- Making any necessary structural repairs
Proper cleaning and disinfecting creates a fresh start for the next year’s nesting hummingbirds. Just be sure to wear gloves and avoid inhaling dust particles when cleaning.
Nesting House Maintenance Schedule
Follow this timeline for cleaning and maintenance:
- Fall: Check exterior and hangers, make any repairs needed before winter.
- Early spring: Clean interior and check mounting stability.
- After nesting: Remove old nests, clean interior with bleach solution.
- Winter: Make structural repairs and prepare for next spring.
Regular upkeep will help ensure your hummingbird house remains safe and usable for many seasons.
Conclusion
Attracting hummingbirds to nest is very rewarding but does require some patience and the right techniques. Providing an appropriate hummingbird house set up in a strategic spot on your property is key. Maintain the house properly, avoid disturbances, and employ predator deterrents for nest success. With the right approach, you’ll soon enjoy tiny hummingbird chicks in your own backyard!
