Hummingbirds are some of the most beloved and fascinating birds. Their tiny size, jewel-toned colors, and ability to hover in midair make them a joy to watch. Attracting these little birds to your yard or garden can be easy and rewarding if you offer them the right type of food.
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds sustain their high metabolisms and energy levels by dining on flower nectar and tiny insects like gnats, fruit flies, and spiders. They have long slender beaks and tongues that are perfectly adapted for reaching into tubular flowers to sip the sugary nectar inside. Some of their favorite flower foods include:
- Trumpet vine
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Butterfly bush
- Delphinium
- Columbine
- Petunias
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds get essential proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals from eating small soft-bodied insects. They often catch insects mid-air but also forage through leaves and bark crevices searching for bugs.
What is the best hummingbird food?
While hummingbirds enjoy flower nectar, most people want to supplement with commercial nectar mixes or sugar-water solutions. The ideal artificial nectar for hummingbirds should mimic real flower nectar as much as possible. Here are some tips:
- Use a 4:1 ratio of water to white sugar. Do not use honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, or red food coloring.
- Only use plain white refined cane or beet sugar. Other types may have fillers that are unhealthy for hummingbirds.
- Never use raw or organic sugar as these contain levels of iron that can be harmful.
- Change sugar-water every 2-3 days, or daily in hot weather. When it ferments, it can make the birds sick.
- Store unused nectar in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. Discard after that.
- Wash feeders thoroughly before refilling. Use a bottle brush to scrub inside.
- Avoid using red plastic feeders or red dye. The red dye is unhealthy, and feeders attract bees and wasps.
For convenience, ready-made commercial nectar mixes can be used. Look for a product that contains only sugar and purified water with no dyes or additives. Some popular brands include Kaytee, Birds Choice, and Nectar Defender.
What feeders attract hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are most attracted to feeders that are designed especially for their unique needs:
- Tube/bottle style – Long, tubular feeders allow hummingbirds easy access to nectar. Pick tubes with some red coloring to attract them.
- Saucer/dish style – Open reservoirs or cups filled with nectar allow multiple birds to feed. Add perches if possible.
- Funnel style – Feeders with tiny built-in funnels and reservoirs limit nectar waste.
- Drippers – These offer a constant drip or flow of nectar to entice hummingbirds.
Here are some other useful tips for hummingbird feeders:
- Choose feeders with copper, glass, or stainless steel components. Plastic can harbor dangerous bacteria.
- Select a feeder style that’s easy to take apart and clean.
- Make sure feeder holes or ports are an appropriate size for small hummingbird beaks and tongues.
- Hang feeders using fishing line or wire to prevent damage from squirrels and other animals.
- Place feeders in a shady area to keep nectar cool and fresh.
- Supplement feeder nectar with fresh flowers planted nearby to attract more hummingbirds.
Where should I hang hummingbird feeders?
Proper placement of hummingbird feeders can make all the difference in attracting these swift little birds. Here are some tips on where to hang your feeders:
- Place feeders 5-10 feet away from trees, shrubs, and birdhouses so hummingbirds have a clear flight path.
- Choose locations free from overhead obstructions like clotheslines or roof overhangs.
- Hang feeders at, near, or slightly above eye level. This allows you to easily watch the hummingbirds feed.
- Avoid hanging feeders directly in sunlight or they may overheat. Opt for dappled sunlight or partial shade.
- Put up more than one feeder around your yard to reduce squabbles between territorial hummingbirds.
- Separate hummingbird feeders by 20-30 feet minimum to establish distinct territories.
Hummingbirds are very active in the early morning when seeking breakfast nectar. Hanging a feeder near a garden sitting area or in a viewable window allows you to observe their morning feeding behaviors.
How to attract hummingbirds to your yard
Offering the right feeders and food are key to attracting hummingbirds. But you can also draw in more of these flying jewels by incorporating more of their favorite things in your yard:
- Nectar-rich flowers – Plant colorful tubular flowers like nasturtiums, bee balm, and trumpet vines in your beds, containers, and hanging baskets.
- Running water – Install a small waterfall, fountain, or mister that provides clean fresh drinking and bathing water.
- Trees and shrubs – Hummingbirds seek shelter and nesting spots in trees like oak, maple, willow, and mulberry.
- Bug zappers – These attract insects that hummingbirds snack on. Place them 20-30 feet from feeders.
- Wild spaces – Leave areas of garden natural with dead trees, fallen branches, and leaves which provide insect habitat.
- Red-hued flowers & objects – Scarlet blooms and red feeders or garden art catch hummingbirds’ attention.
Avoid using toxic pesticides which can poison hummingbirds. Seek out organic or natural options when needed. With a little planning, you can create an enticing oasis that hummingbirds won’t be able to resist visiting!
When and where do hummingbirds migrate?
Hummingbirds are some of the most remarkable migratory birds. Their migration patterns and behaviors include:
- Most hummingbirds that summer in the U.S. and Canada migrate to Mexico, Central America, and South America for the winter.
- Ruby-throated hummingbirds travel over the Gulf of Mexico 500 miles nonstop to their winter homes.
- Rufous hummingbirds make one of the longest migrations – flying up to 4000 miles between Alaska and Mexico.
- Broad-tailed hummingbirds of the Rocky Mountains migrate south to Mexico for winter.
- Anna’s and Allen’s hummingbirds are year-round residents along the Pacific Coast.
- Migration peaks in August-September as birds move south, and April-May as they return north.
- Hummingbirds fly low when migrating, often skimming along tree tops and coastlines.
Providing a continuous source of food from late summer into fall can help sustain hummingbirds on their migratory journey. Keep feeders clean, filled, and in place into October to give passing migrants the energy they need for their incredible flights.
How long do hummingbirds live?
The average lifespan of wild hummingbirds is 3-5 years. However, some have been known to live much longer when conditions are ideal. Here are some factors influencing hummingbird longevity:
- The smallest hummingbird species like bees and calliopes have shorter 1-3 year lifespans on average.
- Larger hummingbird species like magnificent and blue-throated often live 5 years or longer.
- Climate threats like storms, cold snaps, heat waves, and drought can shorten lifespans.
- Availability of food impacts lifespan. Abundant nectar and insects allows better health.
- Predators including frogs, lizards, and cats threaten survival.
- Collisions with vehicles and buildings contribute to higher mortality.
The longest recorded lifespan in the wild was an impressive 12 years for a female black-chinned hummingbird. Providing a safe and nourishing environment in your yard with ample food sources and protected nesting areas can help resident hummingbirds beat the odds and live long lives.
Signs that hummingbirds are in your yard
Hummingbirds move incredibly fast, so you may hear or catch fleeting glimpses of them before confirmation that they are visitors. Here are some telltale clues hummingbirds may be present:
- Seeing quick, darting movement or streaks of color in your peripheral vision
- Hearing the rapid buzzing sound of hummingbird wings
- Noticing emptied or partially drained feeders
- Finding flowers with holes poked in the centers by long bills
- Spotting a nest the size of a walnut in trees or on branches
- Observing aggressive behavior like chattering or chasing
- Watching males performing courtship dives and displays
To fully enjoy these energetic visitors, sit quietly near nectar sources and focus your eyes anywhere a hummingbird might fly. Once you detect movement, you can follow it and watch their behaviors unfold. With a little patience, the hummingbirds zipping around your yard won’t be able to escape your notice for long.
How many eggs do hummingbirds lay?
The number of eggs a female hummingbird lays depends on the species. Here are some averages:
Hummingbird Species | Average Clutch Size |
---|---|
Ruby-throated | 2 white eggs |
Black-chinned | 2 white eggs |
Anna’s | 2-3 white eggs |
Rufous | 2 tan or creamy eggs |
Allen’s | 2 white eggs |
Calliope | 2 white eggs |
Bee | 2 white eggs |
Female hummingbirds lay 2 eggs on average. Smaller species tend to have smaller clutches. Eggs are about the size of a coffee bean. Females incubate the eggs for 14-23 days before they hatch.
What plants attract the most hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds are attracted to tubular, nectar-rich flowers in the red to orange color spectrum. Some top plants include:
Plant | Flower Color |
---|---|
Trumpet Vine | Orange, red |
Bee Balms | Red |
Cardinal Flower | Red |
Nasturtium | Yellow, orange, red |
Hostas | Lavender |
Sages | Red, purple, pink |
Fuchsias | Red, purple, pink |
Columbines | Red, yellow |
Petunias | Solid or striped reds |
Gladiolus | Red, orange, pink |
Plant a variety of these hummingbird favorites in garden beds, containers, and hanging baskets to provide a continuous nectar source spring through fall.
Conclusion
With the right mix of food, feeders, landscaping, and habitat, you can successfully attract beautiful, energetic hummingbirds to your outdoor space. Choose nectar-rich plants and red blooms they prefer, install specialty feeders, and provide fresh clean water. Locate feeders strategically in optimal spots for easy access. Avoid pesticides and maximize natural areas in your yard. If you create an enticing oasis catering to hummingbirds’ needs, these flying jewels will soon take up residence and reward you with their magical presence.