How to Make Those Hummingbirds Come to You, Easily

Springtime is just bursting forth. Hummingbirds are making their way north. How do you increase the odds of them coming to visit you?

There are a few things you can do to increase the odds of the hummingbirds coming for a visit and possibly even staying for a while.  It’s not rocket science, rather it’s a study in what hummingbirds like and dislike.  Many people over the years have studied this little bird and discovered the things that really attract them to some gardens while they completely ignore others.  Knowing what they like is the first battle that we need overcome.

Attracting Hummingbirds Means Knowing What They Like

Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is not as difficult as it might seem. It just takes a little knowledge and some timing on your part. It also takes your will to make this happen. And you can do this, easily.

Hummingbirds are a wonder of the natural world, they fly like no other bird. They can maneuver forwards, backwards and hover like a helicopter. No other bird flies like these little minis do.

Enticing them into your garden is done rather easily. In early spring (right about now) you can go outside and literally paint your bushes and trees with red and orange tapes or streamers. Make sure that these will weather well. The hummingbirds are attracted to the colors red, red/orange, and red with yellow. So any combination of these colors flitting in your yard, will be a beacon for the returning hummingbirds during their migration north.  You can also make sure that your hummingbird feeders are out and filled with sweet nectar.   After all, they have been traveling thousands of miles. When they arrive they are hungry, tired and need some safety.  Hummingbird feeders are an important part of their ability to survive.  Some like the classics below have proven themselves perfect for these little dynamos of the bird species.

 

Yes hummingbirds, as little as they are, travel thousands of miles to get from their winter home to their summer residences.  Once they arrive here, they want to stay put until the cool weather returns and makes them look for warmer climes.

So How Can You Make Them Take up Residence at Your House?

The easiest answer to that is to make sure that you are providing them with something they really want.

In order to keep these little marvelous birds flying, they need and consume an incredible amount of calories.  This they get through the drinking of nectar from flowers or from hummingbird feeders that have been filled with the nectar that they seek.  Sugar water is the basis of nectar, so fooling them is easy with feeders filled with sugar water.  The ratio of sugar to water is between 3:1 or 4:1 depending on how prolific the flowers are blooming in your yard.

It’s not enough to have feeders in your yard!  The hummingbirds if they want to make your backyard their home will need a few more things than a ready supply of nectar.

 

What else could they possibly need?

Like all animals, hummingbirds are looking for safety in their home.  If they are constantly feeling threatened by other birds or animals, it is likely that they will only visit your yard once in a while.  If, on the other hand, they feel like their needs are being met by you, they just might make your yard their home for the summer.

Great bushes around the yard where they can rest or nest safely, will be the next consideration.  Hummingbirds love cedars and pines where their nests can be hidden among the green.  They also love having spider webs nearby for the glue that will keep their nests not only soft, but also sturdy.  So don’t go cleaning up all those spider webs.

What else will make them stay?

Like all animals, hummingbirds need a source of clean drinking and bathing water.  If you have a pond or birdbath around, they will be attracted to the water.  If you can get a pump going, they will be enticed even more by the sound of water falling around.

Not only is this good for the hummingbirds, but it will also entice other birds and small animals into your yard as well.

Hummingbirds will also want a constant supply of food.  No other bird works as hard as a hummingbird to keep itself alive and thriving.  If you have the right amount of flowers in the shades of red and red/orange that they love, you can almost be assured that they will come to your yard and stay as long as they can.

What kind of flowers should I plant?

There are many flowers that hummingbirds love.  Some are annuals and other perennials.  You can mix and match any number of the flowers to make the hummers happy!

Here is a great list to get you started:

Butterfly Bushes, Orange Trumpet Vines, Cardinal Climbers, Morning Glories, Canna, Honeysuckle Vines, Bees Balm, Red Hot Poker and so many more.

I will do a write up later on the great things you can plant for the Hummingbirds so that you will have a complete list and instructions on how to grow these.  Stay tuned folks.  There is more to come.

In the meantime Get those Feeders Cleaned and Filled.  Hang them in a spot where they can be seen, so that these little birds will indeed find you.

Then don’t forget to mark on the Migration Map for 2017 the first day you see Hummingbirds in your yard.  Here is the link to the Page:  Ruby Throated Hummingbird Migration Map 2017!

Have fun with feeding these little Mighty Mini’s!