What does it mean to attract hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are some of the most fascinating birds to observe in nature. Their ability to hover mid-air and dart from flower to flower with incredible speed make them a joy to watch. Many homeowners wish to attract hummingbirds to their yards so they can enjoy watching these tiny birds up close.

Why are hummingbirds attracted to gardens?

Hummingbirds are attracted to gardens for two main reasons: food and shelter. These tiny birds have extremely high metabolisms and must constantly eat to maintain their energy. They get most of their nutrition from drinking nectar from flowers. So having a garden with lots of nectar-producing flowers will help attract hummingbirds. They are also looking for places to perch and rest when not feeding. Trees, shrubs, and other garden structures provide shelter and lookout points for hummingbirds to rest.

What plants attract hummingbirds?

There are many different flowering plants that can attract hummingbirds to your yard. Some of the top options include:

• Trumpet Vine – Produces bright orange/red tubular flowers loved by hummingbirds.
• Bee Balm – Purple flowers rich in nectar.
• Fuchsia – Vibrant, hanging red and purple flowers.
• Coral Bells – Tiny red bell-shaped blooms that hummingbirds enjoy.
• Cardinal Flower – Spikes of bright red flowers full of nectar.
• Petunias – Abundant single blooms in bright colors like red, pink, purple.
• Vines like Morning Glory or Trumpet Creeper – Have lots of long tubular flowers.
• Lilacs – Clusters of fragrant star-shaped blossoms.
• Columbine – Nectar-rich red and yellow blooms with a unique shape.
• Salvia – Spikes of small, vividly colored flowers appeal to hummingbirds.

In general, hummingbirds are drawn to flowers that are tubular in shape, which allows them to access the nectar with their specialized beaks. Bright red, orange, or pink blossoms tend to attract hummingbirds the most. Having a variety of flower colors, shapes, and bloom times will provide constant nectar through the seasons.

How else can I attract hummingbirds besides plants?

In addition to having plenty of flowering plants, there are some other strategies you can use to make your yard as attractive as possible to hummingbirds:

• Install a feeder – Supplying a nectar feeder will provide a reliable food source.
• Offer fresh water – A mister, fountain or bird bath provides water for bathing and drinking.
• Grow native plants – Hummingbirds are used to native plant nectar.
• Avoid pesticides – These can be toxic to hummingbirds.
• Provide perches – Hummingbirds like to rest in between feedings.
• Use red items – Red attracts hummingbirds, like feeders, flowers, ribbons.
• Be patient – It can take weeks for hummingbirds to discover feeders.
• Keep feeders clean – Dirty nectar can make hummingbirds sick.
• Hang wind chimes – Hummingbirds use wind chimes to locate feeders.

Having a diverse habitat is the best way to create an attractive space for hummingbirds. Meet their basic needs for food, water, shelter and they will happily take up residence in your yard.

What is the best way to set up a hummingbird feeder?

Follow these tips for properly setting up and maintaining hummingbird feeders:

• Use a feeder made for hummingbirds – Choose a specialized hummingbird feeder with red coloring and feeding ports suited to hummingbird beaks and tongues.
• Use the proper nectar mixture – Fill with a 1:4 solution of white refined sugar and water. Do not use honey, raw sugar, or artificial sweeteners.
• Change nectar frequently – Every 2-3 days in warm weather, 5 days in cooler temperatures. Old nectar ferments and goes bad.
• Thoroughly clean feeders – Use a bottle brush and hot water. Rinse well to prevent residue buildup.
• Use ant moats or petroleum jelly – Coat hangers with slippery gel to keep crawling insects out of the nectar.
• Hang at the proper height – Position feeders around 5 feet high, within easy reach of perches and flowers.
• Avoid placing near windows – Collisions with glass kill many hummingbirds.
• Start early in the season – Put out feeders 2-3 weeks before hummingbirds arrive to establish feeding spots.

With a quality feeder that is kept clean and filled with fresh nectar solution, you can provide supplemental food that will attract hummingbirds to your garden all season long.

What is the migration pattern of hummingbirds?

Hummingbirds are migratory birds that follow fairly consistent annual migration patterns:

• Spring migration – Most hummingbirds migrate north in late winter and early spring from their winter grounds in Mexico and Central America. The timing depends on the species and location, but February through May are common migration months.
• Summer breeding grounds – They spend summers throughout the United States and Canada, with the largest summer grounds being the Pacific Northwest and a broad central band reaching the Great Lakes and Atlantic coast. Here they mate and raise their young.
• Fall migration – Starting in July/August, hummingbirds begin migrating south again for the winter. The timing varies by species – Rufous hummingbirds leave by July and Ruby-throated hummingbirds leave by October.
• Winter grounds – Southern Mexico and Central America provide warm climates for most hummingbirds to overwinter, with Panama being a key migration stopover. Anna’s and other West coast hummingbirds may overwinter in coastal California.

This yearly migration covers thousands of miles for many hummingbirds. Providing nectar feeders during spring and fall migration can help sustain them on their incredible journey.

How can I identify hummingbirds?

There are over 300 different species of hummingbirds worldwide. Here are some tips for identifying the most common hummingbird species seen in North America:

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

• 4 inches long
• Metallic green upper body, gray breast, forked tail
• Adult male has vivid ruby red throat
• Female has white throat
• Most common and widespread hummingbird in Eastern U.S.

Anna’s Hummingbird

• 4 inches long
• Emerald green upper body, gray underside
• Adult male has iridescent rose-pink throat and crown
• Female has green crown, red-spotted throat
• Common year-round resident of gardens along the Pacific Coast

Rufous Hummingbird

• 3.5 inches long
• Golden green upper body, rusty orange throat in males
• Distinctive bright rusty orange on sides of tail
• One of the farthest northern migrating hummingbirds

Allen’s Hummingbird

• 3.5 inches long
• Green upper body, gray-green underparts
• Adult male has orange-red throat, yellow-green crown
• Common in gardens along the California coast

Observing key field marks like size, colors, range, behaviors, and sounds can help identify the species visiting your feeders and flowers.

What is the best hummingbird flower garden layout?

Here are some tips for laying out flower beds and gardens to best attract hummingbirds:

• Plant big clusters of the same flowers together – This allows hummingbirds to efficiently feed.
• Include a mix of flower colors – Red, orange, pink, and purple flowers attract the most hummingbirds.
• Plant both low growing flowers and hanging flowers – Hummingbirds feed at all levels.
• Arrange flowers in the shape of a corridor – Hummingbirds like to feed in a continuous route.
• Plant flowers on the south side of buildings – Hummingbirds like sun.
• Avoid straight rows – Curving beds and short, irregular rows work better.
• Include native plants – These are best adapted to your climate and for hummingbirds.
• Provide vertical spaces – Use trellises, arbors, fences and poles with climbing vines.
• Include feeders and water features – These provide supplemental food and drinking spots.
• Situate flowers near trees and shrubs – These provide perches and shelter.

Sample Hummingbird Flower Garden Layout

Here is one example for a small garden layout designed to attract hummingbirds:

This sample layout uses climbing vines, low growing shade plants, sunny bed flowers, and hanging potted plants to create a small area packed with hummingbird favorites.

Conclusion

Attracting hummingbirds to your yard requires providing a diverse habitat to meet their basic needs. Plant a variety of tubular, nectar-producing flowers in their favorite colors of red, orange, and pink. Arrange blossoms in clustered, curving beds at multiple heights. Include feeders, water features, trees and shrubs for shelter and perches. Eliminate pesticide use in your gardens. With a little planning, you can create an ideal environment that will draw hummingbirds to visit your yard all season long so you can enjoy observing these special birds up close.