Hummingbirds are some of the most beloved backyard birds. Their metallic colors, acrobatic flight, and hover-and-sip feeding habits make them a joy to watch. Attracting hummingbirds to your yard or garden can bring hours of entertainment as you watch them buzz around your flowers and feeders. But what is the best way to attract hummingbirds and bring more of these tiny dynamos to your outdoor space?
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flower nectar and the small insects they eat. Their long slender beaks and tongues are perfectly adapted for reaching into tubular flowers and extracting the nectar. Some native plants that are excellent for attracting hummingbirds include:
- Trumpet vine
- Cardinal flower
- Bee balm
- Butterfly bush
- Columbine
- Foxglove
- Penstemon
While hummingbirds get a lot of their nutrition from flowers, they also need protein from eating small spiders and insects. Planting flowers that attract insects can provide a good food source. Good insect attracting flowers include:
- Zinnias
- Cosmos
- Coneflowers
- Salvia
- Petunias
- Impatiens
- Verbena
Should you use a hummingbird feeder?
In addition to planting nectar-rich flowers, you can supplement a hummingbird’s diet with store-bought nectar from a specialized hummingbird feeder. Feeders allow you to easily observe hummingbirds up close as they visit to sip the sweet liquid. The easy access to calories also helps attract more hummingbirds to your yard.
If you choose to use a feeder, it’s important to follow proper care and cleaning methods. The nectar solution should be made from just white sugar and water in a 4:1 ratio. Do not use any red dyes, honey, or artificial sweeteners in the mix. Change the nectar every 2-3 days, or daily in hot weather, to prevent spoilage. Thoroughly clean the feeder with hot water and replace any scratched or clouded feeding ports.
Types of hummingbird feeders
There are several common types of hummingbird feeders:
- Saucer or tray feeders – The nectar is held in an open tray or saucer dishes. Multiple birds can feed at once.
- Tube feeders – Nectar is stored in vertical tubes. Hummingbirds reach their long beaks and tongues inside to access the nectar.
- Funnel feeders – Similar to tube feeders but with horizontal funnel-shaped feeding ports. Their shape provides a landing space for hummingbirds.
- Hammock feeders – Designed for hanging. The nectar reservoir is suspended below the feeding ports, allowing hummingbirds to feed upside down.
Tube and funnel feeders are most popular as they accommodate a single hummingbird at each port, reducing squabbling over the nectar. However all styles can be effective if cleaned properly.
Where should you place hummingbird feeders and flowers?
To maximize your success in attracting hummingbirds:
- Place feeders and nectar flowers in open areas away from bushes where predators may lurk.
- Choose locations near trees, fence posts, or wires where hummingbirds can perch and rest between feeds.
- Position feeders in shaded spots so the nectar solution does not overheat in the sun.
- Use red feeders or tie red ribbons on them, as hummingbirds are attracted to red.
- For flower beds, plant red or orange tubular flowers in clusters of bright colors.
- Set up multiple feeders around your yard to reduce territorial battles between hummingbirds.
Avoid areas near where cats, dogs, or other predators may threaten hummingbirds. Mist jets or drippers can be added near feeders to provide drinking and bathing opportunities.
When do hummingbirds migrate through my area?
Hummingbirds are migratory birds that spend their summers in northern locations and migrate south for the winter. Different species pass through different regions on their annual travels. To attract hummingbirds, you need to understand when they’ll be in your local area.
Here are the typical migration times through the major U.S. regions used by hummingbirds:
| Region | Spring Migration Period | Fall Migration Period |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Northwest | Mid March – Mid May | Mid August – Early October |
| Southwest | Mid February – Mid April | Early September – Mid November |
| Northern Midwest | Mid April – Late June | Mid August – Late September |
| Southern Midwest | Early April – Mid May | September – Early October |
| Northeast | Early May – Mid June | Mid August – Mid October |
| Southeast | Early March – Late April | Early September – Late October |
Make sure your feeders and flowers are available during the migration periods to take advantage of passing hummingbird populations.
How many hummingbirds will visit my yard?
If you provide a welcoming habitat with sufficient food sources, you can potentially attract many hummingbirds over a season. However, it depends on your location, the native plants on your property, competition from neighbors, and other factors.
As a general guide for what’s possible, here are the typical numbers of hummingbirds that may visit properly prepared yards during peak migration and breeding times:
- Pacific Northwest – 4-12 hummingbirds at a time
- Southwest – 8-15 hummingbirds at a time
- Northern Midwest – 3-6 hummingbirds at a time
- Southern Midwest – 5-10 hummingbirds at a time
- Northeast – 4-8 hummingbirds at a time
- Southeast – 6-12 hummingbirds at a time
With multiple feeders placed strategically around your property, you can attract hummingbirds to take up residence for the seasons when food availability is highest. Pay attention to territorial species that chase others away from feeders and add more locations to reduce fighting.
Tips to attract more hummingbirds
Here are some additional tips to maximize the number of hummingbirds in your yard:
- Plant both tubular nectar flowers and insect attracting flowers.
- Use multiple feeders and spread them around your yard.
- Include ground-level water misters for drinking and bathing.
- Set up feeders along migration paths such as near woods or water.
- Use feeders with perches so hummingbirds can rest between feedings.
- Keep feeders clean, maintained, and stocked with fresh nectar.
- Avoid using pesticides which reduce insects that hummingbirds eat.
- Supplement with additional feeders during migration seasons.
Conclusion
By landscaping with the preferred flowers that hummingbirds are adapted to feed from and supplementing with clean nectar feeders, you can successfully attract these energetic birds to your outdoor space. Place feeders and flowers strategically around your yard and keep them well-stocked during the seasons when hummingbirds migrate through your region. With a properly prepared habitat, you may be rewarded with up to dozens of hummingbirds buzzing around your property and captivating you with their beauty.
