Hummingbirds are beautiful, delicate creatures that many people enjoy having visit their yards and gardens. While it’s tempting to want to attract hummingbirds by putting out feeders, there are some very good reasons why experts recommend not feeding hummingbirds during the summer months. Understanding hummingbird natural food sources, migration patterns, and feeding behaviors will help illustrate why relying on supplemental nectar in summer can do more harm than good.
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 accessing nectar at the heart of tubular flowers. While hummingbirds will visit feeders for the artificial nectar, they have evolved to rely on flowers as their primary food source.
Some of the native plants that hummingbirds are adapted to get nectar from include:
- Trumpet vine
- Cardinal flower
- Columbine
- Bee balm
- Salvia
- Petunia
- Morning glory
- Honeysuckle
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds rely on small insects and spiders to get key proteins. They have excellent vision and hunting skills to pluck tiny insects out of the air or forage among leaves and branches.
Hummingbird migration and breeding
The majority of hummingbirds in the United States and Canada are migratory. They winter in Mexico and Central America, traveling north to take advantage of food availability in the spring and summer to breed and nest.
Migration takes place in spring and fall. Here are some key events in the hummingbird calendar:
- Early spring – Hummingbirds start arriving back from migration
- May – Peak spring migration period
- June-July – Nesting and breeding season
- August – Young fledge and prepare to migrate
- September – Fall migration gets underway
- November – Most hummers have migrated south
The key time period when hummingbirds rely on flower nectar the most is during spring and summer, when they are energetically defending territory, displaying mating behaviors, building nests, laying eggs, feeding hatchlings, and preparing for migration. This is why the natural abundance of flowers during this season is so crucial.
Dangers of relying on feeders
There are a few reasons why experts strongly advise against relying on feeders as a primary food source for hummingbirds in summer:
- Lack of nutrients – Feeders provide sugar water, which lacks the wide range of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that hummingbirds get from natural nectar and insects.
- Dependency – Hummingbirds may start to associate feeders as their main food source and fail to forage for the diversity of flowers and insects they need.
- Limited territory – Defending a feeder prevents diverse feeding on real flowers and limits the territory where a bird can access food.
- Damage to chicks – Adults feeding mainly from sugar water cannot provide proper nutrition to rapidly growing chicks.
Thebottom line is that feeders are no substitute for natural food sources that allow hummingbirds to thrive during the critical breeding season. Relying on artificial nectar can negatively impact their health and set back breeding and nesting.
When to use feeders
This doesn’t mean you can’t use feeders at all when hummers are present in summer. Here are some appropriate times to use hummingbird feeders:
- Early spring after migration – Provides a reliable energy source when fewer flowers are blooming.
- Autumn migration – Fuels up birds preparing for their long journey south.
- Emergencies like storms or drought – Supplements food needs if flowers are damaged.
- Winter – A handful of areas, like south Texas and California, host wintering hummingbird populations.
The key is not to let feeders become the main food source. Keep them up only temporarily or use only a small number of feeders.
Best practices for summer hummingbird care
Here are some great ways to support hummingbirds visiting your yard in summer without relying on feeders:
- Plant native flowers – Choose a variety of tubular flowers and plants that attract insects to give hummers a natural food buffet.
- Provide insect food – Spray aphids and other insects on trees/shrubs or set out cotton balls soaked in overripe fruit juice to attract gnats and fruit flies.
- Choose safe pest control – Avoid pesticides that can poison hummingbirds or kill the insects they eat. Use natural options only when absolutely necessary.
- Buy a few small feeders – 1-2 very small feeders are ok to supplement if also providing plentiful natural food sources.
- Change nectar often – Make sure any supplemental feeders are kept fresh and clean to prevent mold, bacteria, or fermentation.
The best way to care for hummingbirds in summer is to landscape generously with their favorite flowers so they can access the natural, nutrient-rich diet they’ve relied on for millennia.
Key takeaways
Here are the key reasons to avoid relying on feeders to support hummingbirds in summer:
- Hummingbirds depend on nutrient-rich natural nectar and insects to thrive.
- Migration and breeding make summer a critical time with high energy needs.
- Feeders provide insufficient nutrition compared to flowers and insects.
- Reliance on feeders can negatively impact health, breeding, and behaviors.
- Planting preferred flowers and providing insect food is the best way to help hummingbirds in summer.
With some simple changes to make your yard more hummingbird-friendly, you can enjoy watching these special birds all season long while supporting their natural behaviors and nutrition needs. Avoid keeping feeders up as a primary food source, and you’ll be giving hummingbirds the summertime care they truly need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t hummingbirds need nectar feeders since there are fewer flowers blooming in summer?
While it’s true that some places have peak bloom periods in spring or fall, most areas have a wide diversity of flowers blooming from spring through summer into fall. There are many native plant options that provide nectar specifically adapted for hummingbirds’ needs all season long without having to rely as heavily on feeders.
Can’t I just use feeders as supplemental food in addition to flowers?
The problem is hummingbirds can start to depend too much on feeders if they are readily available, and will be less motivated to seek out diverse natural food sources. It’s best to take feeders down altogether during peak summer so hummers don’t associate your yard primarily as a feeder location. Leave some up only if also planting many flowers.
What if I take down my feeders and hummingbirds still come to my yard – won’t they be confused and hungry?
Hummingbirds may continue visiting a yard out of habit even once feeders are removed, especially if they previously depended on them. But leaving only flowers and insect food will force them to resume more natural feeding behaviors. After a short adjustment period, they will redirect their energy to foraging in the diverse ways they are adapted to.
I love watching hummingbirds all summer – don’t feeders allow me to observe them more closely?
It’s understandable to want to see more of these special birds up close, but relying too much on feeders can alter their behavior and habitat use in ways that aren’t natural or healthy. You can still enjoy observing them feeding on flowers, defending territories, building nests, and raising chicks throughout the season.
What are the best flower types and plants to grow for hummingbirds?
Some great options include salvias, bee balms, trumpet vines, cardinal flowers, columbines, petunias, morning glories, honeysuckles, and flowering native plants like milkweed. Choose a variety of tubular red and orange flowers adapted to hummingbird pollination.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are captivating, energetic creatures that enrich our lives by visiting gardens and yards to feed on flower nectar. While providing supplemental feeders may seem helpful, relying on them too much in summer can be harmful when hummingbirds most need the nutrition from flowers and insects. By landscaping with their favorite blooms and avoiding feeder dependency, you can create a welcoming habitat that supports hummingbirds’ natural needs for thriving through the breeding and migration seasons. A few small feeders are fine to use occasionally as backup food sources, but the most vital summertime gift we can offer hummingbirds are abundant natural food sources and healthy habitats. With some thoughtful planning, we can enjoy these special visitors all season long while supporting their unique adaptation as nectar- and insect-feeding birds.
