The right combination of flowers, fresh nectar, water, shelter, and safe places to perch, will help you attract more hummingbirds to your yard.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money or have a large space. A few nectar-rich flowers and a well-maintained hummingbird feeder can make your yard more appealing to these tiny birds.
One of the easiest ways to attract hummingbirds is to provide a reliable source of nectar with a hummingbird feeder. Feeders can be especially helpful when flowers aren’t blooming and during spring and fall migration.
Fill your feeder with fresh hummingbird nectar and place it somewhere that’s easy for birds to spot. Red feeders can help catch a hummingbird’s attention, but the nectar itself does not need to be red. Use only all natural nectar with no added colors or preservatives.
If you’re introducing a new feeder, don’t be discouraged if hummingbirds don’t find it immediately. It can take time for birds to discover a new food source. Learn more about feeding hummingbirds.
Planting nectar-rich flowers gives hummingbirds a natural food source while making your yard more attractive. Hummingbirds are particularly attracted to flowers that have tubular shapes. They like red, orange, pink, and other bright colors. Consider adding hummingbird-friendly plants such as:
Choose plants that are native to your area.
Once hummingbirds discover your feeder, keeping it clean is essential.
Hummingbird nectar can spoil quickly, particularly during hot weather. Check your feeder regularly and replace the nectar before it becomes cloudy or shows signs of spoilage. Clean the feeder thoroughly before refilling it.
A dirty feeder can develop mold and other contaminants that can be harmful to hummingbirds. During warm weather, you may need to clean and refill your feeder more frequently.
Where you put your hummingbird feeder can make a big difference. Look for a location that is:
If you have multiple hummingbirds visiting your yard, consider hanging more than one feeder in different locations. Hummingbirds can be territorial, and spreading feeders apart can make it more difficult for one bird to control the entire food supply.
Hummingbirds may spend much of their time hovering and feeding, but they also need places to rest.
Trees, shrubs, branches, and other vegetation can provide natural perches. Small branches near your feeder or garden can give hummingbirds a convenient place to rest between meals or watch for other birds.
You don’t need to install a special hummingbird perch. Natural branches and shrubs can work perfectly well.
Hummingbirds need water for more than just drinking. They also enjoy bathing and may use fine sprays or droplets of water collected on leaves.
A traditional deep birdbath isn’t necessarily the best option for hummingbirds. Instead, consider a mister, drip fountain, or another source that creates a shallow layer of moving water.
A fine mist can be particularly attractive because hummingbirds can fly through it or perch nearby while bathing.
Timing matters when you’re trying to attract migrating hummingbirds.
Because migration varies depending on your location and the species in your area, it’s helpful to learn when hummingbirds typically arrive and leave your region. Putting your feeder out before they arrive gives migrating birds another potential source of food when they need it.
And don’t worry about leaving your feeder out too long. Providing a feeder does not prevent hummingbirds from migrating. Migration is influenced primarily by environmental cues such as changing daylight rather than the availability of feeders
Your location and the season are the biggest factors in how often hummingbirds will visit your yard. Some hummingbirds may discover a new feeder quickly, while others may take months or even years. Migration habits, and availability of food on their normal routes have a big impact on where they search for food.
If you aren’t seeing hummingbirds right away, don’t give up. Make sure your feeder is in a visible location, keep the nectar fresh, and add nectar-producing flowers nearby.
Hummingbirds are creatures of habit, and once they discover a reliable source of food, they may continue returning to the same area throughout the seaso
Hummingbird activity varies depending on where you live and the time of year. Learning when hummingbirds typically arrive, migrate through, and leave your area can help you know when to put out your feeder and what to expect throughout the season.
During migration, you may see new hummingbirds passing through your yard, sometimes for only a short time. Keep your feeder filled with fresh nectar and enjoy the activity while it lasts. Learn more about hummingbird migration and when to expect hummingbirds in your area. Visit our Hummingbird FAQ for more info.