How to Attract Hummingbirds
The greatest variety of hummingbirds occurs in the American Southwest. In winter, hummingbirds are almost exclusively limited to California, Arizona and Texas.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Bottlebrush Plants
- Flowering Eucalyptus
- Fuchsias
- Honeysuckle Bushes
- Hummingbird Feeders
- Impatiens
- Larkspur
- Granulated Sugar
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring cups
-
-
1
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.
-
2
Visit your local nursery for advice about local plants that attract hummingbirds.
-
3
Plan your garden so it contains several varieties of nectar-bearing flowering plants or trees that are attractive to hummingbirds.
-
4
Hang hummingbird feeders in several locations around your property.
-
5
Fill each feeder with a mixture of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
-
6
Clean feeders often and thoroughly (see "How to Clean a Hummingbird Feeder").
-
1
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.
Related Searches
Comments
-
lbl1108
Nov 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 -
wytetyger059
Sep 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
-
Missvivienne
Sep 23, 2008
Why not red food dyes? its made from plants. I have 40 to fifty Humming birds on two feeders from sun up to sundown. We put 1 cup suger to 4 cups of water. When they are empty the Humming birds dance around our heads and make such a fuss till we fill them again! its a beautiful sight. Vivienne. Cal
-
mchapman
Sep 09, 2008
Thank you for this one, I am going to my local Home Depot to purchase what I need....Mary
-
Jun 30, 2006
Using 1 cup sugar to 2 cups of water is beyond being sweet. The correct ratio is 1 cup sugar to 4 water.
