While they are the smallest bird species, hummingbirds have a huge following of fans.
These fast and energetic birds are loved by serious birdwatchers as well as those who enjoy watching them from their home deck or patio.
Attracting hummingbirds is easier than you might expect. Just follow a few simple tips and sit back and watch their beautiful aerial displays.
Read on for 7 ways to attract hummingbirds.
Why Everyone Loves Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are often the favorite guest in someone’s flower garden. These tiny birds are not only recognized by sight, but also by the distinct humming sound they make. This sound is a result of the speed with which they flap their wings to stay in the air.
For their size, they have a high metabolism, which means they need to eat all day! They can visit over 1000 flowers a day. This feeding schedule is what keeps them coming back for more and why they are so popular among bird lovers.
Their unique flying skills are also fun to watch. They can fly forwards, backward, and even upside down. In a truly rare accomplishment for any vertebra, they can actually hover as well. And don’t forget fast. They can reach up to 30 mph in flight.
So are you ready to see more of them? Here’s how.
1. Plant for Continuous Blooming
Since hummingbirds need to eat all the time, keep the blooms coming. Ask your local nursery to recommend native flowers that will bloom in the spring, those for mid-summer, and even more for late summer. It is also a good idea to introduce a new species to your garden from time to time.
Flowers that attract hummingbirds include trumpet honeysuckle, beebalm, and scarlet sage. Any native orange or red flower also works great.
Having a steady supply of nectar will ensure they are frequent visitors to your garden. Also, be sure to deadhead the flowers. This simply means to remove the dead blooms from the plant. This signals to the plant that more flowers are needed, and the blooms continue!
If you don’t have a lot of space for a garden, consider hanging plants that attract hummingbirds. Geraniums and fuchsia are great choices.
2. Have Areas for Them to Nest
While hummingbirds fly fast and move around a lot, they do need their rest. They would rather have a home near a steady supply of food. Having a safe and quiet place for them to build their nest will keep them close.
They prefer low shrubs and small trees for nest building. These should be close to the edge of the yard where they will feel protected and out of harm’s way. Their nests are shaped like cups and are made from leaves, twigs, leaves, and sewn together by spider web silk threads. A female hummingbird will lay two eggs which hatch in just under 20 days.
3. Create Snag Perches
Flapping their wings at 80 beats a second makes for a tired hummingbird. They will occasionally look for a place to land and rest a bit.
Create a few snag perches from dead branches and twigs. Stick them upright in the ground near a favorite feeding spot. They can sit and survey the landscape, look for insects to feast on, and some will even claim the area as their territory.
If you do find a particular male hummingbird trying to control the area, add a few feeders to draw in more birds.
4. Hummingbird Feeders
Maybe you don’t have the room or time to keep up a flower garden. Don’t worry! You can still attract hummingbirds with feeders.
These birds love red, orange, and other bright colors. If you already have a feeder, but it has gotten dull over time, consider repainting it.
However, maybe you don’t want to spend time and energy on old feeders. Why not go for a brand new one from https://nature-niche.com/products/dr-jbs-16-oz-clean-feeder-red-with-yellow-flowers?variant=31887000698952?
5. Add Color Ribbons to Your Yard to Attract Hummingbirds
This might be the easiest and most effective tip here.
Since hummingbirds are drawn to bright colors, consider adding a few red, yellow, or orange ribbons to your yard. Tie them to railings, on a fence, or even low hanging branches. Surveyor’s tape is good to use as it is bright and durable.
Once the hummingbirds see the ribbons, they will come closer to inspect. Since they are already there, when food is also available, they will stop in for a quick meal.
6. Limit Pesticides
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds eat insects. They use the protein for new feathers and feed them to their young still in the nest. You need to keep pesticides to a minimum so spiders and other insects do not die off.
In addition to eating the spiders, hummingbirds also use the silk threads from the spider’s web for their nests as mentioned above. They will swipe dead insects caught in the webs for an easy snack.
For a little extra insect power, you can also put a bowl of very ripe bananas where the birds frequent. This will attract fruit flies and the hummingbirds will love that.
7. Add Water Element or Mister
Like most birds, hummingbirds love to bathe and enjoy being around water. Because of their size, they don’t need very much.
An excellent choice is a mister that attaches to your regular water hose. It sends out fine mist droplets that hummingbirds love to fly through. They will then find one of the perches and do a little preening.
If you don’t want a mister, you could also invest in a small water fountain for the yard. Not only will it be an attraction for the birds, but also a great decor item in your flower garden.
If You Plant, They Will Come
Most everyone loves to watch the small but beautiful hummingbirds as they flit around from flower to feeder and back again. If you want to attract hummingbirds, all you need are bright flowers or full feeders, some perches, and a safe place for their nests.
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