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Hummingbirds

Here is some information that may help you attract hummingbirds to your backyard.  Hummingbirds are quite a colorful delight to your yard.  If your calm, they will come up and feed right next to you as you are watching them.  There are many people that have been able to get a hummingbird to feed on nectar right out of their hands! 

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There is nothing like the the colorful buzz of a hummingbird on your the deck in your backyard.  If you have problems with bees and other insects, check out the selection of bee-proof hummingbird feeders available at Barn in the Sticks.  One of the most important thing about feeding hummingbirds is keeping the feeder clean, so make sure to purchase a hummingbird feeder brush when you purchase your feeder.  Many of the Droll Yankee feeders offered at Barn in the Sticks come with a hummingbird feeder brush.

Understand the Hummingbirds for your area.  Here are some ways to know which hummers you have:

  • If you live east of the Mississippi, odds are you have only seen one type of hummingbird, the ruby-throated hummingbird.  If you live to the west, you have roughly 14 different species to identify.  Generally, you can identify most species of hummingbirds by the throat gorget.

     Hummingbird Species  Throat Gorget Color
     Allen's  Orange-Red
     Anna's  Hot Pink
     Black-Chinned  Black
     Blue-Throated  Cobalt Blue
     Broad-Billed  Blue Blending to Green
     Broad-Tailed  Ruby Red
     Buff-Bellied  Green
     Calliope  Purple Streaks Against White
     Costa's  Purple
     Lucifer  Purple
     Magnificent  Rich, Bright Green
     Ruby-Throated  Ruby Red
     Rufous  Orange
     Violet-Crowned   Pure White
     White-Eared Emerald Green, Purple Under Bill

Types of feeders

  • Hummingbirds love feeding from nectar bearing flowers, but will generally flock to the color red. 
  • Most hummingbird enthusiasts will NOT use a red-dyed nectar, and instead will use a feeder colored red. Remember that hummers are attracted to the red FLOWERS on the feeder, not the container.  I have looked for an article on an actual study done on this myth, but have not found one.  From the information that I have found, there has never been a study that concluded that the red dye has any adverse affect on hummingbirds.  If you see one, please let me know.
  • If bees are more frequent than hummers, try using a hummingbird feeder with some type of bee guards.  Start without the bee guards, then once your hummers are using the feeder, insert the bee guards.  It will discourage bees, but the hummers will still feed normally.
  • If ants are the problem, try using an ant moat.  They are available to attach to your current hanging feeder, without purchasing a new feeder.  If you want to add a feeder, add one with a built-in ant moat.
  • Droll Yankee feeders have the recipe for the nectar engraved on the feeder, so you'll never have to search for the recipe in your cupboard again!

What plants will help attract hummingbirds?

  • Here are some flowers that hummers love:
  • Wild Columbines
  • Butterfly Bush
  • Trupetvine
  • Delphiniums
  • Impatients (red-orange)
  • Cypress Vine
  • Gilia
  • Cardinal Flower
  • Bee Balm
  • Penstemons
  • Red-Flowering Currant
  • Red-Flowered Savias
  • Mexican Sunflower

 

Where do hummingbirds nest?

  • Most hummers will build their nest, which looks like a small cup, using spider web to hold it together.  They will also often use tiny bits of lichen to help camoflage the nest.  You generally don't find the hummingbird nest until fall, when all of the leaves fall from the trees. 

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