How to Attract Hummingbirds to a Yard

Hummingbirds feed on flower nectar and small insects. You can invite these tiny flyers to your yard by providing them with the food they like in natural form (from flowering shrubs) or by setting out special hummingbird feeders.
Remember to keep the hummingbird feeder filled with fresh nectar. Nectar, whether store-bought or homemade, can spoil quickly in the summer heat. Clean and refill the feeder at least once a week to keep the hummingbirds coming to your yard.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Plant flowering shrubs that provide natural nectar. Hummingbirds are attracted to Bee Balm, Butterfly Bush, Rose of Sharon, Trumpet Vine and Honeysuckle. Color does not matter, though hummingbirds do seem to favor red flowers.

2. 

   Set out hummingbird feeders to attract birds to your yard. Feeders come in many sizes and shapes, and can be filled with store-bought "nectar" or sugar water. Make your own nectar by mixing four parts water with one part sugar. It is unnecessary to color the water if the feeder has red parts. Set the feeder in a shady location to keep the solution fresher longer. You can purchase suction cup hooks and hang a lightweight feeder directly to your window.

3. 

   Hang red ribbons in shrubs in your yard. The ribbons with attract hummingbirds by tricking them into thinking you have flowering shrubs. Place a feeder near the ribbons so they will find it.

4. Hang multiple feeders around your house and yard. Hummingbirds, though small, are fierce fighters and very territorial. Set feeders out of sight from each other to attract more hummingbirds to your yard.

Resources

• Abount Hummingbird Landscaping