Attracting Hummingbirds

Created by Megan F. Henson, MSU-Extension, Genesee County

There is something about the tiny, iridescent-feathered hummingbird that sparks human interest. Maybe it's their aggressive habits when defending their food sources, such as dive-bombing other birds. Possibly people like to watch hummingbirds because they are the only bird that can fly backwards and hover, and their wings beat 20-80 times per second. Maybe it's the fact that these tiny birds fly 500 miles non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico while migrating north and are always hours from starvation. They must feed fifteen minutes out of every daylight hour. Whatever the reason, feeding hummingbirds is becoming quite popular and you too can discover this hobby. Here are a few tips on how to attract hummingbirds.


Hummingbird Feeders

There is a large variety of commercial feeders especially designed to attract hummingbirds. Look for a feeder that can be easily cleaned, has red coloration, and has small plastic screens over feeding ports to keep bees and insects away. Or, you can make your own quite easily from a clean plastic bottle, a rubber cork, a drinking tube (like the ones used in hamster cages), and a little red paint or red ribbons.

Hummingbirds mainly feed on nectar ~ nature's sugar solution. You can make your own solution with four parts boiling water and one part table sugar. Red food coloring is not recommended. Only use table sugar as a sweetener because honey and artificial sweeteners ferment quickly, potentially harming hummingbirds and other animals. Your feeder should be cleaned every 3-5 days and replaced with fresh solution. Don't clean your feeder with soap, detergents, or bleach; hot water is sufficient and harmless.

You can place your hummingbird feeder almost anywhere. Since hummingbirds are so aggressive, you can even place them near windows for a "close-encounter." Just remember that sunny places may spoil the sugar solution faster and windy areas may knock down your feeder. You may want to place several feeders since hummingbirds are extremely territorial.

Hummingbird Flower Gardens



Planting flowers specifically for hummingbirds is also a great way to attract them and will compliment carefully-placed feeders. Hummingbirds are attracted most to red, tubular (cone-shaped) nectar flowers, but you don't have to plant all red flowers; purple and blue hues will also work. Here is a list of hummingbird favorites:

 Annuals Perennials Shrubs and vines*
Fuchsia Bellflower, peach Azalea-dwarf evergreen
Petunia Columbine, American Clematis
Salvia Day Lily Trumpet Vine
Snapdragon Lupine Weigela


*Using bamboo or plastic stakes you can create a wall of vines to give hummingbirds a shelter.

Hummingbird Species by Region

 East, Midwest

Western Mtns.

West Coast

Southwest

 Ruby-throated

Black-chinned

Allen's

Allen's
 

Broad-tailed

Anna's

Anna's
 

Calliope

Black-chinned

Black-chinned
 

Rufous

Broad-tailed

Broad-tailed
   

Calliope

Calliope
   

Costa's

Costa's
   

Rufous

Magnificent

 

Hummingbird Links

Hummingbirds! Robertal Lee Wildlife Art
Hummingbird Gardens - book by N. Newfield
Hummingbirds in Houston
The Hummingbird Watchers Club