How to Attract Hummingbirds Easily

Flowers, water and feeders attract hummingbirds.

Every state except Hawaii is home to one or more species of hummingbirds or is on their migration corridors. It does not take a lot of space, money or special expertise to encourage these tiny travelers to stop while in your area. The secret of hosting a hummingbird visit is to attract them with the right kind of food and encourage them to stay longer by providing water and shelter.

Things You'll Need

• Plants known to attract hummingbirds
• A water source
• Hummingbird feeders
• Hummingbird nectar

Instructions

1. 

   Hummingbirds are attracted to flowers of many colors.

   Plant colorful flowers. Flowers can be planted in a garden, a window box or a planter. The resource section has a list of flowers that attract hummingbirds. The perennials on the list grow in all areas of the U.S. during the summer and fall.

2. 

   Fill your hummingbird feeder with homemade nectar.

   Hang a hummingbird feeder. Hang one or more hummingbird feeders near the flowers and preferably in the shade. Make the nectar in the feeder using a 1:4 sugar to water ratio.

3. 

   Water in a birdbath must be shallow and changed every day to prevent mosquitoes.

   Provide water for bathing and drinking. Hummingbirds prefer moving water from a mister or a dripping hose but will also use a shallow birdbath.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie a red ribbon to the hummingbird feeder to increase its visibility.

• Don't add red dye to the nectar. It doesn't help attract hummingbirds and could make them sick.

• Keep cats inside. Cats chase hummingbirds and will scare them away permanently

References

• Hummingbirds.net: Attracting Hummingbirds
• Texas Parks and Wildlife: Hummingbird Garden Tips
• World of Hummingbirds: Attracting Hummingbirds

Resources

• "Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard"; Wayne Bell; February 2001