Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds, possessing one of the highest metabolic rates in the animal kingdom. Their tiny bodies require an almost continuous supply of energy, fueled primarily by nectar, to sustain their hovering flight. Understanding these unique biological needs is the first step in successfully inviting these aerial acrobats into your outdoor space. This guide provides practical methods for transforming your yard into a welcoming habitat.
Setting Up Nectar Feeders
The most immediate way to attract hummingbirds is by offering supplemental nectar. Prepare this sugar water solution using a ratio of one part white sugar to four parts water. Boiling the water briefly before mixing ensures sterility and helps the sugar dissolve completely. The liquid must be cooled entirely before being offered to the birds.
Avoid adding red food coloring to the mixture, as the dye offers no nutritional value and may potentially be harmful. Never substitute honey or artificial sweeteners for white sugar. Honey quickly ferments and harbors fungal growth, while artificial sweeteners provide no usable energy for the birds’ metabolism.
Strategic placement of the feeder significantly increases the chance of attracting visitors. Mount the feeder about five to six feet off the ground, ensuring it is clearly visible from the air. Positioning it near natural shelter, such as a large tree or dense shrub, provides a safe perch where the birds can rest and observe their surroundings before feeding.
Partial shade is the ideal location for the feeder, as direct sunlight causes the sugar solution to ferment rapidly. Nectar spoils quickly, especially when temperatures rise above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Mold or fermentation is detrimental to the birds’ health.
Maintaining strict hygiene is necessary for feeder management. Feeders require cleaning every two to three days, or daily during hot weather. Use only hot water and a dedicated bottle brush to scrub all interior surfaces, avoiding soap which can leave harmful residues.
Creating a Hummingbird Garden
While feeders provide quick energy, a natural garden offers a sustainable and diverse food source. Hummingbirds have co-evolved with specific flowering plants that cater to their unique feeding style. These flowers typically exhibit a long, tubular shape that prevents most insects from accessing the nectar, making the reward exclusive to the birds.
Hummingbirds show a distinct preference for flowers in the red, orange, and pink spectrums. They associate these colors with high-energy nectar sources based on visual cues. Planting clusters of these brightly colored flowers together makes the food source highly visible from a distance.
Several reliable native and non-invasive species are excellent choices for a hummingbird garden. Bee Balm (Monarda didyma), with its shaggy red or pink blossoms, is a favorite. The intensely red spires of Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) are highly effective attractants, as is the climbing vine Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens).
A successful hummingbird garden requires a continuous bloom cycle from spring through fall. Select a variety of plants that flower sequentially to provide nectar during the entire growing season. This is especially important during spring arrival and fall migration periods when energy demands peak.
Nectar is only part of the hummingbird diet; they require small insects and spiders for protein, fats, and minerals. They actively “hawk” tiny flying insects or glean them from foliage and spiderwebs. This consumption is necessary for the development of young birds.
Because they rely on these small arthropods, the use of systemic pesticides or broad-spectrum insecticides should be avoided. These chemicals are absorbed into the plant tissue, poisoning the insects that the hummingbirds consume, or eliminating their necessary protein source entirely.
Shelter Water and Hazard Mitigation
Beyond food, providing accessible water sources and safe shelter supports a complete habitat. Hummingbirds rarely use traditional bird baths for soaking, preferring to fly through fine mist or bathe in dew on leaves. Installing a fine-mist sprayer or a slow-drip device creates the moving, shallow water they find appealing for bathing and drinking.
Dense foliage is necessary for safety, rest, and nesting. Tall trees and thick shrubbery provide perching spots that allow them to rest and conserve energy between feeding flights. Females also use these protected areas to build their nests, which are often camouflaged with lichen and spider silk.
Mitigating common outdoor hazards is the final step in creating a safe environment. Outdoor cats pose a significant predatory threat to these small birds; keeping feeders high and clear of ground cover can reduce this risk. Window strikes are also a frequent danger, and placing decals on glass or positioning feeders either very close (within three feet) or far away (more than thirty feet) can help birds recognize the obstruction.