You can attract hummingbirds by providing their favorite nectar-rich flowers, seeds, water for daily activities, shelter, comfortable perches etc. You can create a hummingbird-friendly garden having small tree, branches and different flowers to attract hummingbirds. It will bring beauty to your garden. You don’t need a large area to set up the garden for hummingbirds. You can provide food, water and shelter easily to hummingbirds by using different hanging pots for this purpose. Hummingbirds play an important role in transferring pollen grains, flourishing different landscapes, planting flowers etc. Attraction of these birds provides and contributes to the ecosystem.
In this article, I will tell you:
- Provision of food to hummingbirds,
- Different water sources for hummingbirds,
- Providing shelter to hummingbirds,
- Observing hummingbirds’ behavior
- Adaptation of migratory hummingbirds.
Let’s start without wasting time!
Provision of Food: Flowers and Feeders
Bright-colored flowers and nectar feeders are important in attracting hummingbirds towards themselves. Provision of an easily accessible food source is a good way to bring a hummingbird to your garden.
Flower Options
- Balcony: You can use different potted plants such as fuchsia, petunia and salvia to attract hummingbirds. Hanging potted plants and planters having red, orange, pink and yellow flowers also create a good source to attract hummingbirds.
- Window Gardens: If you have window sills, then it is better to opt for small flowering plants that include columbine, miniature, hibiscus etc. Indoors as well as outdoors plants also attract hummingbirds
Nectar Feeders
If you have no garden or small space, then it is better to install different feeders that will help you in attracting hummingbirds.
- Choose a Compact Feeder: It is better to select a small and compact feeder, so it can easily be installed in a limited space even on balconies or in windows.
- Simple Nectar Recipe: If you want to attract hummingbirds, then you can create nectar by yourself. Add 1 by 4 parts of water with granulated sugar. You can add different sweeteners to attract hummingbirds.
- Placement Tips: The placement of feeders are very important. If you want to know the behavior of the hummingbirds, it is better to install a feeder, where you can easily see them without coming close to them.
Provision of Water Sources
Besides nectar and flowers, hummingbirds also like shallow water for bathing, drinking, playing etc. The traditional bathtubs of hummingbirds are deeper, which is not suitable for them for bathing. So, it is better to opt towards alternatives for hummingbirds.
Water Sources
- Window-Mounted or Balcony Fountains: You can install small solar fountains for hummingbirds that have very gentle water movement. It requires a small space. Hummingbirds love the sweet sound of moving water.
- Misters or Drippers: Drippers and misters are good options to attract hummingbirds. Misters are a good option, as they create mist that is loved by hummingbirds to fly. Flowing water through drippers is also a useful technique for attracting hummingbirds.
- Shallow Bird Baths with Rocks: If you have a little space available, then you can make a bath tub of rocks for hummingbirds. Make sure, it is safe and easily accessible by hummingbirds.
Creating Shelter
As you know food and water hold an important place for the survival of birds. But, shelter is vital for birds to live in a safe environment. In urban areas, you can easily create different shelters to enhance the comfort of your tiny birds.
Shelter Options
- Small Trees and Shrubs: If you have a garden, it is better to plant different trees and bamboos to attract hummingbirds. As, it will provide shelter and food to them.
- Trellises and Vines: Different plants like trumpet vine, honeysuckle and trellises serve as natural shelters for hummingbirds. These plants are rich in nectar and you can easily plant these flowers in your balconies, if you have no garden available.
- Artificial Perches: You can fit small perches on railings and walls to provide a safe and comfortable shelter for the hummingbirds.
Avoiding Pesticides
Never use pesticides to kill small insects. Hummingbirds rely on small insects to fulfill their protein intake. So, always keep your garden pesticide-free. Pesticides and herbicides are toxic and harmful to bird species and affect their food sources.
Pesticide-Free Practices
- Natural Pest Control: Instead of using pesticides, you can encourage natural insects like ladybugs to keep pests in check.
- Organic Fertilizers: Always use organic fertilizers for growing different plants. Organic fertilizers help provide good health to plants.
- Rinse Off Pollens: It is better to rinse off pollens that contain chemicals in different potted plants.
Observing Hummingbirds’ Behavior
If you want to attract hummingbirds, then first of all observe their routine and behavior. As you know hummingbirds are territorial birds, and they quickly run away towards their favorite food spot. As a hummingbird lover, it is better to understand their behavior to attract them.
Common Hummingbird Behaviors
Here, I will tell you some important facts about the behavior of common hummingbirds.
- Hovering and Chirping: Near their food like flowers, nectars, feeders etc, they chirp and hover. Before moving towards a new feeding spot, first, they inspect that area.
- Territorial Displays: Male hummingbirds show territorial behavior. They start “Dive bombing” to protect their food spot.
- Perching Patterns: They have a unique perching pattern. They like to sit on different small trees, bamboos, branches and keep watching their favorite feeding area from these spots.
Adaption of Migratory Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds are migratory birds found in different areas of the world. Knowing the migratory behavior and patterns of hummingbirds, it is important to prepare a comfortable space for them to attract them.
Tips for Migratory Hummingbirds
- Early-Blooming Flowers in Spring: If you start planting different flowers in earlier spring season, then it will catch the hummingbird towards it. If the flowers are nectar rich, then hummingbirds always keep returning.
- Leave Feeders Out in Fall: Always attract hummingbirds easily during the migratory season, because many hummingbirds start traveling late.
- Year-Round Feeders in Warm Climates: If you are living in a warmer area, then you have more chances to attract hummingbirds throughout the year because few species of hummingbirds don’t leave or migrate.
Conclusion
It is very easy to attract hummingbirds through the provision of different food sources, shelter, water for bathing, drinking, playing etc. You do not require even a large garden to attract hummingbirds. If you have a balcony, suburban backyard or a sunny window, then you can easily attract hummingbirds. Make sure that the place you provide for shelter to hummingbirds is comfortable and safe. Through patience and consistency, you can increase the birds’ view from your windows or balconies. By attracting hummingbirds, you can enhance the beauty of nature.
If you have any queries regarding the article, text me in the comment box, and I will reply to you soon.
Thanks for reading!
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I’m Amna, and I absolutely adore birds, especially parrots. I’ve been immersed in the world of these colorful feathered friends for over 10 years. While I’m not a bird doctor, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge on how to care for and understand them.
My experiences extend to various bird species like parrots, macaws, cockatoos, canaries, and finches. In addition to my personal adventures with birds, I’ve dedicated time to volunteering at a local bird rehabilitation center.
My true passion lies in sharing what I know about parrots and birds with you. Through my articles, I aim to share the information you need to provide the very best care for your avian companions. So, let’s embark on this journey together and make your feathered friends’ lives as joyful and healthy as possible!