How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden and what to Feed Them

What is a Hummingbird ?

By definition, a hummingbird is a tiny American
bird with a long slender bill and wings which allow vibrating flight. 

According to Rubythroat.org, there are 338 species of hummingbirds worldwide.  There are 16 species of hummingbirds that breed in the continental U.S. alone!  Attracting these small birds can be lots of fun if you do it right.

Flowers and Hummingbirds It's true that hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, however, there are a number of flowers (of any color) that also attract the birds.    To name a few, Cardinal, Lantana, Hollyhocks, Fuchsias, Begonia and Geranium.  Shrubs such as Azaleas, Weigela and Honeysuckle also attract hummingbirds.

Attracting the Hummingbird

To attract hummingbirds to your yard or garden, you can use strategic placement of your feeder for starters.  Placing your feeder near the attracting flowers is a smart move, obviously.  If you don't have the attracting flowers planted in your yard, you can also place a basket of flowers near your feeder.

NOTE:  Keep in mind that if you live in the United States eastern half, the Ruby-throated hummingbird is the only one who will show up, and he defends his territory so that no other hummingbirds can use that particular feeder or the flowers surrounding the feeder. To attract more than one hummingbird, you'll need to place additional feeders in other areas of your yard that can't be seen from the original feeder.

Another way to attract hummingbirds is by using the color red somewhere on the feeder to attract the birds.  You can paint a portion of it red or attach something red to the feeder.

In the spring, as flowers begin to bloom, don't be alarmed if the birds ignore your feeder.  This is normal because hummingbirds prefer the natural nectar from the flowers.  When the flower blooms go away, the birds will return to your feeder.

When to Expect Hummingbirds?

This will depend on where you are located.  In North America, you will need to hang your feeder just in time for warm weather.  The timing will depend on where you live.  For example, in Florida the birds could show up in January, however, in the Northeast, they won't begin arriving until May (after the winter weather has passed.  Try to hang the feeder around five to ten days before you expect the birds so they'll choose your yard as a place to dwell for the season.

Taking the feeder down is totally up to you.  It will not change the birds' habits one way or the other.  They will migrate whether your feeder is taken down or not.

Feeding Your Hummingbirds

Nectar is used to feed hummingbirds.  There are several different recipes for making nectar which can easily be found online through search engines.  The type of recipe you use is up to you.  Sugar and water are the basic ingredients - it's simple and inexpensive to make. 

NOTE:  Research this before making the nectar to be sure you're feeding the birds something that will be healthy for them.

How to Maintain Your Humming Bird Feeder

Fill your humming bird feeder half full of nectar.  Change the nectar and clean the feeder at least once a week.  Keep a close eye out for mold in your feeder as well.  Use hot water to rinse out your feeder, not detergent.

Take these simple steps and you'll see these precious little birds coming for a visit soon!

Article written by Candice Pardue, web content and brochure writer. Go here to license an article like this for your website or publication.