Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that bring joy to backyard birdwatchers. Their iridescent feathers shimmer in the sunlight as they zip around flowers and feeders. If you want to attract hummingbirds to your yard, one of the best things you can do is hang a hummingbird feeder.
What do hummingbirds eat?
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and need to eat frequently to fuel their high energy levels. Their diet consists mainly of nectar, tree sap, and small insects. Nectar is their primary food source. In the wild, they get nectar from flowers such as trumpet vines, cardinal flowers, bee balms, and coral honeysuckles. When these natural nectar sources are not available, hummingbirds will happily visit feeders.
What is in hummingbird nectar?
You can make homemade nectar by mixing 1 part white granulated sugar with 4 parts water. It is important not to use any other type of sugar or sweeteners. Do not add red food coloring, as this provides no nutritional benefit and may even be harmful to the birds. Boil the mixture to dissolve the sugar completely and let it cool before filling your feeder. Store unused nectar in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Be sure to change the nectar in your feeder every 2-3 days, or whenever it looks cloudy.
What is the best hummingbird feeder?
There are many different types of hummingbird feeders available. The best feeders will have the following features:
- A bright red color to attract the birds.
- Ant moats or bee guards to prevent insects.
- Multiple feeding ports for several birds.
- Easy to disassemble and clean.
- Dishwasher safe.
Plastic and glass feeders both work well. Some feeders even have perches for the birds to rest. Look for a feeder that holds at least 12 ounces of nectar. Be sure to thoroughly clean your feeder with a bottle brush and non-soapy warm water every time you change the nectar.
Where should I hang the hummingbird feeder?
Hang your feeder in a shady spot near natural vegetation, trees, and flowers. Hummingbirds do not like to be too exposed. Make sure to hang it securely so it does not sway or tip in the wind. A sturdy shepherds hook pole with an S hook works great for hanging feeders.
Place your feeder where you can observe it through a window. Do not hang it directly on the glass where birds may injure themselves. Hang it 5-10 feet away from the window so you can watch the activity comfortably.
Position it at eye level or slightly higher for easy refilling. Do not hang it too high up. Hummingbirds will be wary of a feeder that requires overly exposed hovering to reach it.
How to attract hummingbirds
Follow these tips to make your yard attractive and welcoming for hummingbirds:
- Plant native flowers and shrubs that hummingbirds are naturally drawn to such as lantanas, firecracker plants, and weigelas.
- Avoid pesticides that may be harmful to hummingbirds.
- Provide a water feature such as a mister, fountain, or birdbath for drinking and bathing.
- Supplement feeders with fresh fruit such as sliced
oranges, bananas, and grapes. - Provide perches where the birds can rest near the feeder.
When will the hummingbirds come?
Hummingbirds migrate north in the spring and south in the fall. Hang up your feeder 2-3 weeks before hummingbirds normally arrive in your region. Here are the general migration time frames:
- Western states – Late February to early May
- Midwest states – Mid April to early June
- Northeastern states – Early May to early June
- Southeastern states – Mid March to late April
To find out your local hummingbird’s spring arrival dates, contact your state’s ornithological society or natural heritage program. Once your feeder is up, check it frequently for activity. It may take a few days for the hummingbirds to find it.
How many hummingbirds will come?
It depends on several factors. If your yard provides everything hummingbirds need – food, shelter, nesting spots – you may attract quite a few. The availability of natural nectar flowers will also impact how many use your feeder. During migration you may see 20 or more hummingbirds competing for feeder access.
Once females start nesting in late spring, you’ll see less activity and likely only a mated pair regularly feeding. By late summer, you may again get more traffic as the babies leave nests and more hummingbirds pass through during fall migration. With a properly maintained feeder in a bird-friendly yard, expect 2-12 hummingbirds regularly throughout the season.
What hummingbird species will I attract?
The species that visit your feeder will depend on your geographic location. Here are some of the most common hummingbird species in different regions:
| Region | Common Species |
|---|---|
| Southwest | Anna’s, black-chinned, Costa’s, rufous |
| Midwest | Ruby-throated |
| Southeast | Ruby-throated, rufous |
| Northwest | Anna’s, rufous |
| Northeast | Ruby-throated |
Ruby-throated hummingbirds are the most widespread species and can be found east of the Great Plains. In the west and along the Pacific Coast, Anna’s and rufous hummingbirds are common feeder visitors. Keep an eye out for rare vagrant species passing through as well.
Troubleshooting hummingbird feeder issues
Here are some common hummingbird feeder problems and solutions:
Problem: No hummingbirds are coming to the feeder
- Try moving the feeder to a different location
- Add more feeding ports
- Use brighter red colors
- Wait longer, it can take a week or more for them to find it
Problem: Ants in the feeder
- Use an ant moat or coat the hanging wire with petroleum jelly
- Move the feeder farther from vegetation touching it
- Clean the feeder more frequently
Problem: Bees or wasps in the feeder
- Try a feeder with bee guards on the feeding ports
- Use an insect bait trap nearby to divert them from the feeder
- Add less nectar so the liquid level is lower
- Move the feeder to a different spot
Problem: Mold in the feeder
- Empty and completely clean the feeder
- Do not fill feeder too full
- Change the nectar more frequently
- Rinse with a bleach water solution after cleaning
Problem: Cloudy nectar
- Change the nectar and thoroughly clean the feeder
- Use a nectar solution with less sugar
- Do not leave unused nectar sitting too long before refilling
If problems persist, try switching to a different style of hummingbird feeder. With a quality feeder in the optimal location, you should soon have happy hummingbirds buzzing around!
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are easily attracted to yards with feeders, flowers, and trees that provide their preferred habitat. Follow the tips above on feeder type, placement, nectar, and landscaping to create an appealing environment. With a properly maintained feeding station, you can enjoy watching the aerial antics of these energetic little birds all season long. The hummingbirds will start arriving in your area on their migration schedule, so get your feeder up 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Be patient, and you’ll soon be rewarded with the joy of hummingbirds at your feeder.
