Use This Guide to Attract a Swarm of Color This Year
Whether you’re a certified bird nerd or not, everyone loves hummingbirds. The hummingbird’s uniquely vibrant colors and need for speed make them a very popular bird in the US. For people who don’t typically see many birds in their yard, a hummingbird sighting can feel like magic.
Just a few years ago, I saw my first hummingbird on my property. You wouldn’t believe what did it! Read on to learn how to attract hummingbirds to your yard for years to come.
Add Native Plant Species to Your Garden
This is an important step for both bird watchers and avid gardeners. Planting native flowers will increase your chance of seeing hummingbirds, assist your local pollinator population, and add some nice (non-invasive) color to your garden.
To find out what flowers are native to your area, check out Audubon’s free tool here! Type in your zip code and get a list of the plant species that would be a great addition to your garden. Using native plants brings a more natural biodiversity to your yard, which will attract more local birds.
Bonus tip: Create a bloom schedule and plant flowers that will bloom at different times of the year. That way, you have consistent blooms all season long that attract hummingbirds.
How to Attract Hummingbirds Using Red Decorations
Hummingbirds love bright colors, which is why most hummingbird feeders you see are a bright red. Tie red ribbons to the trees to lure in hummingbirds from afar. You can also decorate your property with brightly colored decorations to bring in more of these sprightly birds.
You would think that hummingbirds can’t be so easily tricked, but they can! Years ago I was given a rainbow welcome sign to hang up on my porch as a birthday gift. I was sitting outside enjoying a cup of coffee when a hummingbird buzzed right over my head straight for it! I live in an area where you really have to work to see a hummingbird, as they’re not very common, and I was pleasantly surprised. If you don’t mind brightly colored decorations, this is a great trick.
Hang Up Several Hummingbird Feeders
Hummingbird feeders are red feeders that you can fill with premade nectar or sugar water. Hang these feeders around your property to attract more hummingbirds. Offering a regular supply of nectar to these birds will keep them coming. Place the feeders:
- In trees and shrubs where they would naturally perch
- Near a flower bed that will naturally attract hummingbirds
- In the shade so the sun doesn’t speed up fermentation of the nectar
- Within easy reach so you can clean them regularly
Learn how to attract hummingbirds to your garden through trial and error. Every yard is different and will need different placement of feeders. These feeders naturally attract hummingbirds due to their bright red color and immediate access to a nectar source. At the end of the day, wherever you place them, the hummingbirds are likely to appear.
How to Attract Hummingbirds by Maintaining Your Garden and Feeders
At this point, your garden should be hummingbird central! Keep it this way by maintaining your garden and feeders properly. Use this weekly checklist to keep your garden and feeders in tip top shape:
Clean Feeders Regularly
Feeders that are clogged and dirty will not attract hummingbirds. Once a week, check your feeders. Make sure they are still vibrantly red and that the access holes to the nectar are clean. You can clean feeders by taking them apart and soaking them in warm water and soap. Before you hang those feeders back up, let them air dry and add fresh nectar.
Deadhead Your Flowers
“Deadheading” is a popular gardening practice that will keep your flowers blooming for a longer period of time. Once a week, go through all of your flower beds and pull any wilting blooms. This will trick your plants into thinking they need to create more flowers. It’s a similar concept to pruning dead leaves off of houseplants.
Check Nectar Levels in Feeders Weekly
That nectar gets depleted more quickly than you think (especially if it’s not finch and squirrel proof). Make sure that the feeder is always full with nectar. If your hummingbirds go for a feeder that’s empty, they may not come back. You can also reduce the frequency you need to refill your feeders by buying feeders that only hummingbirds can access.
Follow These Tips and Enjoy The View
The last thing I will recommend is to buy yourself a pair of binoculars to get a closer look at these stunning birds. If you follow this guide you’ll have plenty of hummingbirds stopping by to enjoy a sip of nectar from your hummingbird feeders year after year. Enjoy!