How to Attract Hummingbirds

Did you know that there are over 330 species of hummingbirds, and that they are found exclusively in the Americas? Here in Ohio, we’re graced with the presence of only one species–the ruby-throated hummingbird–but what we lack in diversity, these little birds make up for in personality! They truly are a highlight of the spring and summer seasons.

Hummingbirds return to the Cleveland area in mid April, so they’ve already been around for about a month now. Have you seen any flitting around your yard or garden? If not, we’re going to share some top ways to attract them to your landscape, along with some cautions and best practices.

A Bird’s Life

Hummingbirds have a distinctive long, thin beak, and an even longer tongue that they use to sip nectar from deep within flowers. Some are found exclusively in the tropics. Others, like the ruby-throated, follow the weather patterns and migrate thousands of miles every year, from the uppermost states in North America and all the way into Canada, south to Mexico and both Central and South America. When cold temperatures set in, around mid October, the birds head back to those warmer climates.

These tiny birds are only about 3 to 4 inches long, and weigh in at less than 0.2 ounces. To put that in perspective, that’s lighter than a marshmallow! But with their high-speed wing work and energetic nature, they can, and need to, consume quite a bit of food to stay active and healthy. 

Here’s our favorite hummingbird fact: a group of the little winged wonders is called a charm. Could that be more perfect?!

Provide Habitat

As is true whenever you’re trying to attract wildlife to your windows or garden, you need to start your efforts by knowing what those animals prefer and require to live happily in your space. In this case, the ruby-throated hummingbird can live in a broad range of habitats, from deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, to woodland clearings and edges, parks, and even an urban or suburban garden. Wherever they can find the resources they need, that’s where you’ll find them. 

Like all birds, ruby-throats like to have a safe space to raise their young, which they typically do in trees and shrubs, often anywhere from 5 to 20 feet from the ground. Some evidence suggests that they prefer trees with rough bark covered with lichens to build their nests, since they use these natural materials (along with spiders’ webs) to build their teeny tiny nests that measure less than 2 inches in width and height. Hummingbirds will also perch and take shelter from weather and predators in landscape plants, and so having plenty of brush and small trees on your property means that hummingbirds will feel safe and confident enough to spend time there.

Offer Water and Food

As you can imagine, hummingbirds have enviable metabolisms, and need to take in calories all day long. That means eating every 10 or 15 minutes, which could equal over 1,000 flower visits per day! Clearly then, to attract hummingbirds to your yard and garden, you want to have plenty of flower nectar available to them, from when they show up in spring to when they leave town in fall. 

Some of the easiest and most reliable plants to grow for hummingbirds are those native to your area. The birds are used to these plants, and oftentimes the plants are heartier and more resilient than non-natives. That said, as long as a plant isn’t invasive, any red, orange, or purple bloom that offers nectar will grab their attention. It’s often best to stay away from highly ornamental flowers that are bred to have double or triple the amount of petals, since that takes away from available nectar reserves and pollen for beneficial insects. The shape of the flowers matters too, and often long, tubular flowers are most attractive to hummingbirds.

Here are some tried-and-true hummingbird favorites:

• spotted touch-me-not
• trumpet vine
• cardinal flower
• honeysuckle
• fire pink
• columbine
• wild bergamot
• salvia 
• azaleas
• rhododendrons
• milkweed (some species)

Besides these perennial flowering plants, there are also many annual blooms that will attract hummingbirds to your garden. Group them together to provide reason for the birds to linger while feeding, giving you a better opportunity to view them up close.

While you’re creating the perfect hummingbird oasis for your feathered friends, don’t forget about that life-sustaining liquid we all need–water! Like all other animals, hummingbirds need water for drinking and bathing. Adding a solar-powered mister or sprayer to a clean birdbath is a great way to get a front-row seat to their antics.

Use Hummingbird Feeders

You can, of course, also offer sugar water at a specially-designed hummingbird feeder. The birds will often go to plants before feeders, but if you choose to use them, be sure to set a pleasing table for your winged guests. 

Only use fresh water and refined white cane sugar, at a ratio of 4 parts water to 1 part sugar. Any other type of sweetener can have contaminants, or can be too sticky and compromise the hummingbirds’ ability to feed. Heat the water to boiling, mix in the sugar, let cool, and fill your freshly washed feeders. Never use red food coloring–feeders are typically decorated with red accents and that is enough to attract a thirsty bird.

Find the best location for your feeders around your property, preferably out of sight from each other, since hummingbirds are very territorial and will fight off other birds looking for nectar. The liquid in feeders located in the sun can quickly begin to spoil and ferment–if the nectar isn’t clear, it needs to be changed. All feeders should be emptied and thoroughly cleaned with hot, mildly soapy water at least once a week in cool weather, twice a week in the heat of summer. Use an ant moat that attaches above the feeder to prevent crawling insects’ access to the sugar water.

Like all migrating birds, hummingbirds have an astonishing memory, and they will likely return to a place they know to be rich in food, water, and shelter. So if you’re diligent about offering these things, you can hope to see generations of these winged gems grow and thrive in your garden! And while some express concern as to whether feeders delay migration, the experts agree that hummingbirds are smarter than that, and rely on an array of signs that tell them it’s time to fly south. They also aren’t depending on the feeders for all of their nutrition, so while it’s a bonus for them, they will ultimately find what they need in nature. 

Carefully Manage Your Landscape

Everyone knows that hummingbirds love flower nectar and sugar water, but did you also know that they eat insects? Protein is an important part of the birds’ diet, and they eat plenty of small spiders, mosquitoes, and other pest insects in our yards and gardens. For this and many other reasons, it’s recommended to reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides. Not only do they kill off a vital part of the birds’ food source, but they can also lead to negative health effects up the food chain as hummingbirds eat tainted insects and retain the insecticides within their tiny bodies.

Herbicides used to kill weeds and lawn fertilizers can also be problematic, as they can collect in available water sources, and these powerful chemicals could end up harming the very animals you’re trying to attract. All in all, learning to rely on natural cycles to feed the desired plants and eliminate pest insects is the most sustainable way to garden. It also benefits the little beauties we love to see flitting from flower to flower. 

Lastly, when we attract hummingbirds into our gardens, we need to remember that these are artificial, man-made spaces. Perfectly clean, shiny windows look wonderful to us, but to birds they reflect the sky and trees and can be confusing. Bird strikes in glass windows result in the death of millions of birds every year. Protect your avian friends by using approved UV-reflective stickers, coatings, and other available products that prevent window strikes. Remember, too, that your curious cat or dog can also pose a threat. Make sure to place feeders out of their reach and keep them indoors if possible.

Once you’ve done all the things necessary to attract these little flying gems to your garden, spread the word to your neighbors! A corridor of hummingbird-friendly habitat is more valuable than a few random patches of refuge, so encourage those living around you to try out these tips as well! 

At Fairview Home Improvement, we want you to love your outdoor spaces. That’s why we’re offering these pointers on how you can attract wildlife to your garden and make your backyard the closest park you don’t want to leave. If you need help designing your ideal patio enclosure, or are looking for entry door installation services or replacement windows in Cleveland, you know who to call! Get in touch with our skilled Cleveland home improvement team today and together we’ll beautify your outdoor living spaces.