How to Provide Hummingbird Nectar

If you love hummingbirds, you're not alone. Lots of people adore these remarkable miniature birds. Hummingbirds inspire artists, sculptors, photographers and bird watchers around the world. There are many different types of hummingbirds in the world, including the Buff-bellied, Broad-tailed, Xantus, Magnificent, and well-known Ruby-throated species. Hummingbirds are migratory birds and often visit areas of North America in the warmer months, so keep this in mind. If you want hummingbirds to visit your garden or yard, the most important thing you need to provide is hummingbird nectar.

One way to provide hummingbird nectar is by planting a hummingbird garden. There are a wide variety of trees, shrubs, vines and flowers that you can plant to attract hummingbirds. Here are some great choices: Azalea, Bee Balm, Butterfly Bush, Honeysuckle, Morning Glory, Trumpet Creeper, Fuschia, Cardinal Flower, Red Columbine, Hollyhock, Petunia, Begonia, and Impatiens. If you can, always go for the color red, or at least deep, bright pink. Hummingbirds are attracted to certain flowers because of the shape and color, and do not have a very good sense of smell.

When caring for your hummingbird garden, use organic pest control products only. Pesticides are not only bad for you and your family, but the hummingbirds as well. One easy organic tip for deterring pests is to sprinkle hot pepper or cayenne around your flowers, as the spicy aroma and taste is highly unappealing to garden pests. Some organic gardeners introduce ladybugs into their gardens. These cute little bugs love to eat pesky aphids!

Along with your hummingbird garden, you should hang some hummingbird feeders. Hummingbird feeders are bottle-shaped, with little holes from which the birds can extract the nectar. When shopping for a feeder, choose a red one if possible. As previously mentioned, hummingbirds love the color red! You can even tie a red ribbon to your feeder or place red gazing balls in your garden to attract hummingbirds to the area. When filling your feeder, you have two choices. You can go with a commercially prepared, store-bought nectar solution. Or, you can save money and make your own.

To make hummingbird nectar, simply combine one part sugar to four parts clean water. Boil this solution for a few minutes to dissolve the sugar. Allow the mixture to cool before placing in the feeder. When it's time to replace the nectar solution, wash the feeder with hot, soapy water to prevent bacteria from forming.

Copyright 2006 Frances Coleman - All Rights Reserved

2007 Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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