When to Put Out Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbirds are fascinating birds to watch. Putting out a hummingbird is the best way to attract them to your home. Before you put out a feeder, there are a few facts you should know.

Hummingbird Diet

Hummingbirds rely on nectar to provide them the energy they need to fly, to hover and to eat the insects that are their main source of protein. They obtain most of this nectar from flowers but are more than willing to have their nectar needs met from an appealing feeder.

Choosing a Feeder

The best hummingbird feeders are easy to clean and easy for the hummingbirds to feed from. Basin style feeders are the best. The feeder should also have perches so the hummingbirds can conserve their energy while they feed. The color red attracts hummingbirds, so your feeder should contain some red parts.

Making the Nectar

Fill your hummingbird feeder with a sweet nectar made of 1 part white cane sugar to 4 parts water. It is not necessary to add red food coloring to your syrup and may actually be dangerous for the birds.

When to Put Your Feeder Out

There are certain patterns to the hummingbird migration. By checking the pattern for the species that are local to your area, you should be able to learn the expected return date for the birds (see link in References for a map). Put your feeder out about 2 weeks before that date.

Watch for Spoilage

Nectar will spoil after a time. If the weather will be 80 degrees F or higher, you should clean your feeder every 4 to 5 days. If it will be above 90 degrees, you must clean the feeder every 2 days.

Cleaning Your Feeder

Each time you fill the feeder, clean it without using soap by running extremely hot tap water though every opening. Make sure there is no black mold on it anywhere. If there is, use a weak bleach solution to clean it off, and then rinse with hot water.

Resources

• The Hummingbird Society