You can find hummingbirds in the Western Hemisphere where they can find food and water. Due to their small size and acrobatic flying skills, these birds are fun and exciting to watch. Create the perfect hummingbird environment in your garden by planting vibrant flowers that will attract hummingbirds.
Design your garden
For example, plant azaleas, bee balm, shrubs, foxgloves, morning glories in your garden (they are all very juicy, bright and colorful). Choose varieties that are mild, but bright and juicy.
You can plant trees, grapes, shrubs, perennial and annual flowers. For example, honeysuckle, cypress, bells, impatiens.
The tubular flowers are very rich in nectar, which is why these plants are most attractive to hummingbirds.
Keep the garden blooming
Different plants bloom at different times (usually in spring and summer). To make sure your garden is always vibrant and fragrant, plant some early flowering plants, some mid-season plants, and a few ‘late bloomers’.
Prune flowers to keep them blooming for as long as possible. After the flower is just starting to wilt, cut off the fruit or seed from it. Thus, you "cheat" the flower. After this procedure, the plant blooms for some time.
Avoid using pesticides
Birds can ingest pesticides, they not only harm them, but they can even kill! In addition, birds eat insects, and pesticides kill them. Better not to use them at all.
To keep your garden healthy, it is best to use only natural materials. Hummingbirds are very sensitive to food and should only eat natural and safe foods.
Make sure the birds have a place to settle down
Hummingbirds can hover in one place, but this is difficult and often needs rest. Place different trees and flower beds in the garden where birds can rest.
The male hummingbird protects its territory, as a rule, it chooses a place from which a view of the surroundings opens.
Hanging Hummingbird Feeders
Make the nectar yourself. Many believe that homemade nectar attracts hummingbirds even more than regular nectar. Make enough nectar to fill half of the two feeders.
Here's how to do it:
- Mix sugar and water in a ratio of 1: 4.
- Boil for 1-2 minutes.
- Refrigerate nectar and store in a reusable container. Don't use red food coloring, honey, or sugar sweetener - all this is bad for hummingbirds.
Hang up colorful hummingbird feeders when you're done
To attract hummingbirds, you need bright red feeders, you can even hang ribbons on them.
When the hummingbird arrives depends on where you are. Whenever you expect a hummingbird, prepare the feeders 5-10 days in advance so the hummingbirds stay in your garden for a long time!
Don't throw away the feeders at the end of the season! Even when cold snaps come, do not get rid of the feeders, because they may still be useful to you.
Place the feeders away from each other
Male hummingbirds are very territorial birds, they will not allow other males to even get close to the feeder.
Hang feeders in the trees, in the backyard, near the fence. Where they are visible! Choose an area that is shaded for at least most of the day. This will inhibit mold growth, which will only deter hummingbirds. Some people hang all the feeders in one place, but if one of the birds is dominant (for example, the male), it will not be easy for other birds to get close to the food.
Buy an ant repellent
Most of the feeders are already protected from strangers, but if you made the feeder yourself, it is better to buy a product or rub the edges of the feeder with Vaseline every couple of days.
Getting rid of bees is a little more difficult. Even a bee-proof feeder will not be 100% effective. If you see drops of nectar on the edges of the feeder, it is best to wipe them off immediately so as not to tempt the bees.
Change the nectar every 3-4 days
Even if the hummingbirds haven't finished eating it, you still need to remove the leftovers. If you don't, the nectar can grow moldy, especially if you live in hot climates. By the way, for the same reason, it is better to fill the feeders by half.
When changing nectar, it is best to rinse the pan with hot water, but do not use soap. If the nectar starts to mold (you will see black spots), add sand and shake until the mold is removed. You can use a brush.
Hummingbirds prefer clean feeders, so they may skip treats if the feeder is dirty. To attract hummingbirds and gain their attention, keep feeders clean.
