How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard
There’s just something special about seeing hummingbirds show up in the yard. One minute everything is quiet, and the next minute that little bird is hovering around a flower like it owns the place.
The good news is, you don’t need a big garden or anything fancy to attract hummingbirds. A few of the right plants, a clean feeder, and a little water can make your yard a regular stopping place for them.
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Let’s talk about a few simple things you can do.
Plant Flowers Hummingbirds Love
Hummingbirds are always looking for nectar, so flowers are one of the best ways to bring them into your yard.
They’re especially attracted to bright colors like red, pink, orange, and purple. Tubular flowers are usually a favorite because their long beaks are made for reaching down inside them.
A few good plants to try are:
- Bee Balm
- Salvia
- Cardinal Flower
- Coral Honeysuckle
- Butterfly Bush
- Penstemon
- Phlox
- Columbine
- Fuchsia
You don’t have to plant every one of these. Just start with a few that work well in your yard.
I also recommend choosing plants that bloom at different times of the year. That way, you’ll have something blooming from spring through fall instead of giving the hummingbirds one quick meal and sending them on their way.
Plant in Groups Instead of One Here and One There
Hummingbirds are more likely to notice a large patch of flowers than one lonely bloom stuck off in the corner.
Try planting several of the same flower together. That block of color is easier for them to see when they’re flying overhead.
It also gives them more nectar without making them work so hard for it.
Native Plants Are a Great Choice
Native plants are always worth considering because they’re already suited for your area.
They usually handle the local weather better, and many of them provide nectar and attract the tiny insects hummingbirds also need.
A hummingbird doesn’t live on sugar water alone. They eat small insects for protein, especially when they’re raising babies.
Add a Hummingbird Feeder
A feeder can be a great addition, especially when flowers are between bloom cycles or during migration.
The nectar recipe is simple:
- 1 part white granulated sugar
- 4 parts water
Mix it well and let it cool before filling the feeder.
You don’t need red food coloring. Most feeders already have enough red on them to catch a hummingbird’s attention.
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Don’t use honey, brown sugar, or artificial sweeteners. Plain white sugar and water are all you need.
Keep the Feeder Clean
This part is important.
Sugar water can spoil quickly, especially during a hot Georgia summer. If the nectar looks cloudy or you see anything growing inside the feeder, it needs to be changed right away.
During hot weather, I’d clean and refill the feeder every two or three days.
During cooler weather, every four or five days is usually fine.
A dirty feeder can make hummingbirds sick, so it’s better to put out a smaller amount and refill it more often than to fill it completely and let it sit.
Give Them a Place to Rest
Hummingbirds may look like they never slow down, but they do need a place to rest.
Small trees, shrubs, thin branches, shepherd’s hooks, and garden arbors can all give them a good perch.
You may even notice one sitting nearby and guarding the feeder. They may be small, but they can be pretty bossy when another hummingbird comes around.
Add Moving Water
A regular bird bath may be too deep for a hummingbird, but they often love light, moving water.
A few good choices are:
- A small fountain
- A mister
- A dripping water feature
- A bubbling rock
- A very shallow bird bath
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On a hot day, you may see them flying through the mist or stopping to cool off.
Be Careful with Pesticides
Hummingbirds need insects as part of their diet, so spraying every bug in the yard can remove an important food source.
This is especially important during nesting season when the adults are feeding their young.
Whenever possible, use the least harmful pest-control option and avoid spraying around flowers hummingbirds are visiting.
Leave a Few Spider Webs Alone
Now, I’m not saying you have to let your porch turn into a haunted house, but don’t be too quick to remove every spider web in the yard.
Hummingbirds use spider silk to help build their tiny nests. The silk allows the nest to stretch as the baby birds grow.
They may also pick small insects from the webs.
When Should You Put the Feeder Out?
Here in the Southeast, putting your feeder out in early spring is a good idea.
Some hummingbirds arrive earlier than you may expect, and having a feeder ready gives them a quick source of energy after a long migration.
In the fall, don’t take the feeder down the minute you stop seeing birds. Leave it up for a few weeks because late migrants may still come through.
Keeping a feeder up won’t stop hummingbirds from migrating. They’ll leave when their natural instincts tell them it’s time.
Common Hummingbird Feeder Mistakes
A few mistakes can cause problems, so watch out for these:
- Letting the feeder sit too long without cleaning it
- Using red food coloring
- Using honey or artificial sweeteners
- Putting the feeder where cats can easily reach it
- Spraying pesticides near the feeder or flowers
- Planting only one type of flower
- Forgetting to provide shelter and water
Give It a Little Time
You may put out a feeder and not see a hummingbird the first day. That doesn’t mean they won’t come.
It may take them a little while to find your yard. Once they discover a dependable source of food, there’s a good chance they’ll return.
Plant a few nectar-rich flowers, keep your feeder clean, give them a safe place to rest, and add a little moving water.
Before long, you may find yourself stopping in the middle of your work just to watch one of those tiny birds hover around the garden.
And honestly, that’s one of the best parts of having a yard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flowers attract hummingbirds?
Bee Balm, Salvia, Cardinal Flower, Coral Honeysuckle, Butterfly Bush, Penstemon, Phlox, and Columbine are all good choices.
Do I need red food coloring in hummingbird nectar?
No. Red food coloring isn’t needed. The red parts of the feeder are usually enough to attract them.
How often should I clean a hummingbird feeder?
During hot weather, clean it every two or three days. During cooler weather, every four or five days is usually fine.
Do hummingbirds eat bugs?
Yes. Hummingbirds eat small insects and spiders for protein, especially when feeding their young.
Will leaving my feeder up stop hummingbirds from migrating?
No. Hummingbirds migrate based on instinct, daylight, and seasonal changes. A feeder won’t make them stay when it’s time to leave.
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