Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures, but they require special care and feeding, especially during the hot summer months when food sources are scarce. Their fast metabolism means they need to eat often to maintain their energy. While hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flower nectar and tree sap, offering supplemental feeds can help provide the carbs and protein they need to thrive in high temperatures.
Should you still feed hummingbirds in hot weather?
Yes, it is important to continue feeding hummingbirds even when temperatures rise. Hummingbirds rely on nectar as their main food source. As flowers blossom and fade during summer, they need supplemental feeding stations to find the fuel they require. Setting up a feeding station provides a consistent and dependable food source when the birds need it most.
What do hummingbirds eat in hot weather?
Hummingbirds consume up to half their body weight in nectar each day. Their diet consists of:
- Flower nectar
- Tree sap
- Small insects like gnats and fruit flies
- Sugar water (from feeders)
- Pollen
During summer, natural food sources can become depleted. Providing nectar feeders and plants that attract pollinators gives hummingbirds the high-energy food they require in hot conditions. Feeders should be cleaned and refilled frequently to prevent spoilage.
What is the best nectar for hummingbirds in summer?
The ideal homemade nectar recipe for summer feeding is:
- 1 part white granulated sugar
- 4 parts water
Do not use honey, brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, or red dye. Plain white sugar provides the maximum calories and energy hummingbirds need. The higher ratio of water prevents fermentation in hot weather. This sweet liquid provides essential carbohydrates hummingbirds use for energy.
Should you add anything else to the nectar?
Some experts recommend adding a pinch of salt to the nectar mix. Sodium is an electrolyte hummingbirds need to stay hydrated. A tiny amount of salt may help them maintain fluid balance in extreme heat. Always use finely ground non-iodized salt.
Never add red dye, vitamins, honey, artificial sweeteners or other ingredients. Plain sugar water is healthiest.
How should you serve the nectar?
Use a clean nectar feeder made specifically for hummingbirds. Glass and metal feeders are preferable to plastic ones. Refrigerating the nectar is ideal to prevent spoilage in heat. Do not leave nectar outside for more than a day in high temperatures. Change the nectar every 2-3 days to avoid bacterial growth. Rinse feeders thoroughly before refilling.
Use feeding ports made for hummingbird beaks so other insects cannot access the nectar. Place feeders in shade to keep the nectar cool. Multiple feeders spread around your yard provide more feeding opportunities.
Should you provide other food sources?
In addition to nectar feeders, consider putting out other food sources:
- Fruit feeders – Ripened bananas, oranges, grapes, watermelon, or berries provide nutrients
- Insect feeders – Put out overripe fruit to attract gnats and flies
- Pollen feeders – Mix edible flower pollen into a jelly for extra protein
- Sugar water drippers – Dripping sugar water mimics sap from tree holes
- Bee balm – This red tubed flower attracts hummingbirds searching for nectar
Rotate different food sources to provide a diverse nutritional profile.
Should you adjust feeding times in summer?
Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to refill feeders in heat. Hummingbirds are most active and require frequent feeding right after dawn and before dusk when temperatures are coolest. They tend to rest in the middle of the day when it’s hottest.
Check feeders multiple times during summer to ensure ample nectar. Waiting until they are empty could lead to dehydration or starvation for visiting hummingbirds. Refilling feeders just before birds are active reduces spoilage too.
How can you supplement water sources?
Providing fresh water is just as important as offering nectar. Hummingbirds need water to replenish fluids lost through respiration and staying cool. Options to supplement their water intake include:
- Misting vegetation for water droplets
- Positioning feeders near fountains or sprinklers
- Placing a shallow bath or dripper near feeding stations
- Planting nectar-rich flowers and water-filled blossoms
Misting, drippers, and fountains provide drinking water. Sprinkling ground vegetation creates small droplets on leaves hummingbirds can drink.
What are the best flowers for hot weather?
The most effective flowers for attracting hummingbirds in summer offer both nectar and water. Recommended varieties include:
| Flower | Color | Blooms |
|---|---|---|
| Bee balm | Red | Summer |
| Honeysuckle | Orange | Summer-Fall |
| Trumpet vine | Red/orange | Summer-Fall |
| Coral honeysuckle | Red | Summer |
| Fuchsia | Pink/purple | Summer-Fall |
| Petunias | Varied | Summer-Fall |
| Verbena | Purple | Summer |
| Sage | Purple | Summer |
Prioritize tubular red flowers that provide the most nectar. Group together clusters of the same flowers to make it easier for hummingbirds to locate them.
Water-filled flower varieties
- Gladiolus
- Hostas
- Impatiens
- Morning glory
- Columbine
- Delphinium
These flowers hold rain and dew drops within their petals, providing small pools hummingbirds can drink from. Plant them near feeders and perches to supplement water access.
Should you provide perches?
Adding perches near feeders gives hummingbirds a place to rest in the shade. You can use small branches, poles, hooks, or plastic rods secured in the ground or potted plants. Locate perches 5-10 feet away from feeders and water sources for safety. Ensure a clear flight path so birds aren’t vulnerable while feeding.
What are the best feeder and perch locations?
Ideal feeder and perch placement includes:
- Morning sun and afternoon shade
- Near flowering plants or trees
- Close to water sources
- By windows for indoor viewing
- Multiple setups around the yard
- Swinging feeders for accessibility
- High out of reach of predators
Position feeders in spots both protected from direct sun but still viewable. Group several feeders together to support more birds. Move feeders periodically to discourage territorial behavior.
What precautions should be taken in extreme heat?
Extreme heat poses a threat to hummingbirds’ survival. Here are some precautions to help them in sweltering conditions:
- Double check food and water every 1-2 hours during heat waves
- Mist around feeders to provide cooling moisture
- Freeze nectar ice cubes to insert in feeders
- Switch feeders multiple times daily
- Offer shaded feeding areas
- Supplement feeders early and late in the day
- Provide multiple fresh water sources
Well-hydrated birds with adequate food can better cope. Monitoring feeders vigilantly prevents depletion during critical times. Cooling and shading tactics reduces heat stress.
Can you overfeed hummingbirds?
It is difficult to overfeed hummingbirds. Their rapid metabolism requires constant energy intake. The availability of surplus food only means less time spent foraging. Leaving feeders up continuously gives hummingbirds a reliable food source. They will eat according to their needs.
However, spoiled or fermented nectar can make birds ill. Focus on keeping feeders clean and nectar fresh. Changing it frequently prevents contamination. As long as the nectar quality is maintained, feeders can remain topped off.
Conclusion
Caring for hummingbirds in hot weather requires paying special attention to their feeding and hydration needs. While hummingbirds thrive on flower nectar and tree sap, offering supplemental nectar feeds provides the fuel they need during summer. A clean, fresh nectar formula of one part sugar to four parts water gives them the quick energy they require. Adding minimal salt may help them maintain fluids. Fruit, insects, pollen, and drippers can round out their nutritional intake.
Feeders and water sources require more frequent monitoring and changing in high heat. Placing feeders in shaded spots and providing perches gives hummingbirds a place to rest. Red tubular flowers, water-filled blooms and additional bird baths supplement their water access. With extra care, these delicate pollinators can flourish even during summer’s dog days.
