How To

How to Attract Hummingbirds

By Karen Bridgers

Rate: (17 Ratings)

The greatest variety of hummingbirds occurs in the American Southwest. In winter, hummingbirds are almost exclusively limited to California, Arizona and Texas.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Look at a birding field guide or consult your local chapter of the Audubon Society to determine if hummingbirds are normally found in your area and, if so, in what season.
Step2
Visit your local nursery for advice about local plants that attract hummingbirds.
Step3
Plan your garden so it contains several varieties of nectar-bearing flowering plants or trees that are attractive to hummingbirds.
Step4
Hang hummingbird feeders in several locations around your property.
Step5
Fill each feeder with a mixture of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
Step6
Clean feeders often and thoroughly (see "How to Clean a Hummingbird Feeder").

Tips & Warnings

  • Honeysuckle, fuchsia, columbine, bottlebrush, sage, larkspur, impatiens, trumpet vine, tree tobacco, silk tree, and flowering eucalyptus attract hummingbirds.
  • It may take several years before newly planted trees or shrubs begin to flower.
  • Never use honey or red food coloring in hummingbird feeders, and avoid commercial mixes that contain red dyes.

Comments

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lbl1108

lbl1108 said

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on 11/14/2008 Once of while I have humming birds comming by. I use the feeder to feed them. But there has a problem is the ants and bee alway go to the feeder before the humming bird come! Please tell me how to keep the ants and bee away from the feeder? Thank you

wytetygres

wytetygres said

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on 9/30/2008 Good article. I wrote about hummingbirds on ehow, too. The most common hummingbird around here is the ruby throated. There's one other, but we haven't been able to identify him. 5*

wytetygres

wytetygres said

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on 9/30/2008 Good article. I wrote about hummingbirds on ehow, too. 5*

wytetygres

wytetygres said

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on 9/30/2008 Good article. I wrote about hummingbirds on ehow, too. 5*

Flag This Comment

on 9/30/2008 I've read that scientists think the red dyes might be causing problems for the hummers. I mix my own sugar water, 1 to 4. Our hummers divebomb us if they have empty feeders. lol

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eHow Article: How to Attract Hummingbirds

Article By: Karen Bridgers

Karen Bridgers

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Category: Hobbies, Games & Toys

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