Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds found in nature. Known for their incredibly fast wing beats and ability to hover in midair, hummingbirds have unique habitat requirements to survive and thrive. Understanding what hummingbirds need in their environment is key to attracting these flying jewels to your own backyard.
In this article, we’ll explore the main elements hummingbirds need in their habitat and how you can provide these features to turn your yard into a hummingbird haven. We’ll cover key topics like food sources, shelter, water, and other attractants that bring hummingbirds flocking to a location. Whether you want to supplement the native plants in your yard or are landscaping a new garden from scratch, keep reading for tips on creating an ideal hummingbird habitat.
Food Sources
The most basic hummingbird habitat requirement is access to food sources. Hummingbirds survive on drinking nectar from flowers and eating small insects and spiders. To attract and keep hummingbirds coming to your yard, providing a diversity of nectar-rich blooms and insect-attracting plants is essential. Here are some of the best options:
Native Flowers
Planting native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees that hummingbirds have evolved with is one of the best ways to create an authentic habitat. Native plants are easier to maintain once established and are already adapted to local soils and climate. Popular hummingbird-attracting native flowers include:
– Trumpet vine
– Cardinal flower
– Columbine
– Bee balm
– Sage
– Penstemon
– Paintbrush
– Fuchsia
– Lupine
Aim for a variety of flower colors and target blooms throughout the seasons – early spring to late fall – to provide a constant nectar source.
Non-Native Flowers
While native plants are ideal, you can also incorporate some non-native flowers into your hummingbird garden. Some top options include:
– Petunias
– Zinnias
– Snapdragons
– Verbena
– Salvia
– Fuschias
– Geraniums
– Impatiens
– Begonias
Choose flowers with tubular or trumpet-shaped blooms in reds, oranges, pinks, purples, and whites to target hummingbird preferences. Just be cautious about potentially invasive species spreading.
Flowering Shrubs and Vines
In addition to herbaceous flowers, incorporate flowering woody shrubs and vining plants in your landscape. These provide sturdy structures for hummingbirds to perch and feed. Excellent choices include:
– Honeysuckle
– Trumpet creeper
– Passionflower
– Coral honeysuckle
– Butterfly bush
– Lilac
– Crabapple
– Azalea
Position flowering shrubs and vines along the borders of your yard or garden to attract hummingbirds and provide cover.
Feeders
While flower nectar is the preferred food source, hummingbird feeders can supplement natural blooms, especially during migration seasons or winter months when flowers are scarce. Use a simple nectar recipe of four parts water to one part white sugar. Avoid food coloring, honey, and artificial sweeteners.
Place feeders in shady spots 10 feet or more from windows and clean them at least every other day to prevent mold. Having multiple feeders spread throughout your habitat will minimize territorial conflicts.
Insect-Attracting Plants
Hummingbirds get essential protein, calories, and nutrients by eating small soft-bodied insects and spiders. To encourage this natural food source, include plants like:
– Shrubs
– Trees
– Herbs
– Lettuce
– Petunias
These attract aphids, gnats, thrips, whiteflies, caterpillars, ants, and spiders that hummingbirds hunt and feed on. Allow some pests to thrive to create a balanced ecosystem.
Water
In addition to food, a reliable fresh water source is a key element hummingbirds need in their habitat. Options for providing water include:
Drippers, Springs, or Mist
The sound and movement of dripping or misting water is highly attractive to hummingbirds. Incorporate a mister on a porch, water drippers hanging near flowers, or a small waterfall or fountain with running water.
Rain Gardens and Drainage
By landscaping low spots or drainage swales into rain gardens, shallow pools form when it rains that hummingbirds will drink and bathe in.
Birdbaths
For a controlled water source, install a wide, shallow birdbath, fountain, or mister in a central spot. Keep water fresh by changing it daily and cleaning weekly. Add rocks for perching.
Garden Ponds
Larger ponds with a mix of depths also appeal to hummingbirds, providing drinking and bathing opportunities. Position rocks for easy access to the water.
Shelter
Hummingbirds need places to roost, nest, and take cover from weather and predators. Providing diverse shelter options creates a safer, more attractive habitat. Ideas include:
Trees and Shrubs
Planting a mix of trees and shrubs provides protective cover and perches. Evergreens like pines, spruce, and junipers are especially valued for winter shelter.
Brush Piles
Leaving pruned branches and yard waste in untidy brush piles creates shelter for birds. Ensure good airflow by staggering stacked debris.
Cavities
Natural tree cavities made by woodpeckers are used for nesting and resting. You can also install nest boxes specific to hummingbirds.
Dense Gardens and Meadows
Planting dense native gardens filled with flowers and grasses allows hummingbirds to hide and feel protected, especially during nesting seasons.
Cover from Weather
Include covered areas like porches and gazebos that get hummingbirds out of the elements. Ensure part is enclosed while allowing easy access.
Nesting Areas
Providing optimal nesting areas is crucial for attracting breeding and nesting female hummingbirds. Specific nesting needs include:
Small Trees and Shrubs
Hummingbirds prefer nesting sites on downward dog-branched trees and shrubs around 6-20 feet up. Top choices are elm, poplar, oak, and beech trees, along with shrubs like pussy willow, lilac, and dogwood.
Protected Areas
Hummingbirds nest in more protected parts of trees and shrubs, away from the outer canopy. Having a dense area of vegetation helps shelter nests.
Lichen and Moss
Using soft lichen, moss, and downy plant fibers, hummingbird nests are tiny, only 2 inches wide. Allow these materials to grow naturally on trees.
Spiderwebs
Spiderwebs are a key “building” material used to expand and reinforce the nests. Having spiders around will encourage nest building.
Forks and Branches
Hummingbirds often build nests in forks of branches for more support and stability. Target trees with more forks when planting.
Overhangs
Nesting on branches with a slight overhang helps provide protection from rain and sun. Position feeders and houses under overhangs too.
Territory and Competition
Hummingbirds are territorial and competitive when it comes to favorite feeding areas. Optimizing their habitat means minimizing fights over food and breeding resources. Strategies include:
Ample Food Sources
Having plenty of flowers, feeders, and insect-attracting plants spreads birds out and reduces competition. Move feeders apart if aggression occurs.
Enough Nesting Sites
Make more small trees and shrubs available to encourage nesting dispersion and minimize fights over ideal spots.
Wide Open Areas
Hummingbirds perform dramatic territorial displays during mating seasons. Keep yards and gardens open with scattered perches for chasing and diving.
Covered Feeding
Use covered feeders, porches, tunnels of vegetation, and hanging plants to create hidden feeding areas and reduce aggression over feeders.
Water Mist
The sound and activity of misters and drippers distract from territorial instincts at feeding stations. Install near feeders.
Feeder Placement
Put feeders in open but discreet areas like under eaves or covered porches to minimize territorial behavior. Avoid grouping near windows.
Predator Protection
Despite their small size, hummingbirds still face predation threats from larger birds, animals, and insects. Here are some ways to help keep them safer:
Thorny Plants
Use plants with thorns like rose, blackberry, raspberry, and hawthorn to discourage predators from stalking popular areas.
Netting
Insect netting over feeders prevents bees and wasps who may try to take over food sources and attack hummingbirds.
Feeding Height
Position feeders at least 5 feet high on porches or hang from cables or shepherd hooks to make it harder for predators to reach.
Brush Piles
Hummingbirds can quickly take cover in dense brush piles when threatened. Place these throughout your habitat.
Water Movement
The ripples, splashes, and sounds from fountains, drippers, or misters helps mask approaching predators.
Wind Chimes
Strategically hung wind chimes create sounds that deter stalking from cats, snakes and larger birds.
Timers
Use timed sprayers to periodically scare away prowling animals. Motion sensor lights work too.
Migration Support
Providing key habitat features will make your yard an attractive stopover and refueling spot for migrating hummingbirds in spring and fall. Strategies include:
Early Blooms
Plant early blooming flowers that emerge in late winter and early spring to fuel up northbound migrants.
Late Blooms
Have plenty of late flowering species extending into fall to attract southbound migrants replenishing before long flights.
Year-Round Feeders
Cleaning and maintaining feeders during winter provides critical backup food on both migration journeys.
Water
Keep fresh clean water available even when flowers and feeders are scarce to keep migrants hydrated and nourished.
Native Plants
Landscape with native plants suited to your region to support journeys of migrants that evolved with those species.
Sheltered Areas
Provide protected brush piles, crevices, and covered spaces for migrating hummingbirds to safely rest and recover during stopovers.
Central Location
If located along a migration route, expect more migratory traffic. Urban corridors and Southern locations draw the most migrants.
Location and Climate
Where you live and your climate plays a major role in what a hummingbird-friendly habitat looks like for your area. Consider these regional factors:
Native Plants
Research what native plants grow best in your hardiness zone and states to source native species adapted to thrive and support hummingbirds.
Yard Composition
In hot southern climates, more shade, trees, and drinking water are needed. Northern areas focus more on flowers and feeding.
Urban vs Rural
Rural areas mimic natural habitats while urban yards play an outsized migration support role by providing concentrated resources.
Eco-Regions
What natural eco-region do you live in? Providing plants and features native to local mountains, forests, plains, deserts or coastal areas is ideal.
Seasonal Needs
Does your area see harsh winters or extreme heat? Provide seasonal support like winter shelter or extra summer feeding and hydration.
Extreme Weather
Protect hummingbirds from your area’s weather extremes like storms, wind, rain, flooding or droughts by providing backup food and shelter.
Conclusion
Creating an ideal backyard habitat catered to hummingbirds takes planning, planting, and providing the key features these energetic birds rely on. While every location is different, you’ll want to focus on offering a diversity of food sources through native flowers, feeders, and insect-attracting plants.
Make sure to provide clean fresh water daily, as well as shelter options with trees, shrubs, brush and safe nesting sites. Placement of feeders, water sources, and nesting areas all help reduce territorial behavior and keep hummingbirds safe from predators. Tailoring your habitat to your migratory needs and regional climate will help draw in more hummingbirds while supporting their survival.
The right balance of flowers, feeders, water, shelter, nesting spots and smart placement creates a flourishing hummingbird habitat that nourishes these jeweled-toned, hovering visitors and brings their beauty up-close for your enjoyment. When you create an ideal nurturing environment in your own yard, hummingbirds will thank you with their sparkling presence throughout the seasons.
