5 simple tips for feeding hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are constantly on the search for their next meal.

Their small bodies have an incredibly high metabolism, so they need large amounts of food to sustain themselves.

Any gardener or birdwatcher can attract hummingbirds to their yard by building an enticing feeding environment for them.

These 5 tips for feeding hummingbirds will draw on their natural tendencies and meet their nutritional requirements.

1: Build an attractive environment

Hummingbirds are drawn to areas with a wide range of plentiful food sources.

Their diet consists primary of nectar from a variety of different flowers. They drink up to two times their body weight in nectar a day and are therefore love areas with abundant feeding options.

Planting bright and colorful flowers gives hummingbirds a natural feeding source. The flowers will also attract insects and other bugs which hummingbirds eat to add protein to their diets.

In addition to plentiful food sources, hummingbirds like areas with shelter, places for them to build their nests, and with opportunities to rehydrate.

Minimize any spray or pesticides that you use in your garden. Hummingbirds are very sensitive to chemicals which can them long term harm.

2: Put out red hummingbird feeders

Supplying artificial nectar is a great way to feed hummingbirds.

By adding a red hummingbird feeder to your yard or garden you can add a feeding element that is consistent throughout the season. This will encourage hummingbirds to stop by because they know they can find a meal.

We recommend using a red colored feeder because hummingbirds are naturally attracted to the color red.

Homemade nectar, essentially sugar water, is indistinguishable from natural nectar to a hummingbird’s taste buds. It also gives them the same nutritional benefit. We recommend using 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water in your nectar mixture.

Do no use brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup because these ingredients cannot be digested by hummingbirds and it will cause them harm in the long run.

There is a common myth that adding red food coloring to nectar will make hummingbirds more likely to drink it – this is a myth that can cause harm to hummingbirds.

These little birds are very sensitive to any colorants or chemicals and adding red food coloring is not recommended.

3: Use several feeders

Variety is the spice of life! This is as true for humans as it is for hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds are very visual and are drawn to brightly colored objects that look like flowers. Adding several different feeders to your garden adds diversification and increases feeding options for these birds.

Mix things up with different feeder shapers, feeders made of different materials like glass or plastic, or different sizes. More hummingbirds are likely to be attracted to several small feeders instead of one large one so feel free to add several to your garden.

4: Spread the feeders out

Despite their cute appearance and tiny size, hummingbirds are very territorial with other hummingbirds. Bully hummingbirds frequently claim a feeder as their own and will protect it through intimidation and sometimes violence.

Spreading the hummingbird feeders out across your yard reduces the odds of territorial confrontations while increasing that chance that more birds will pay a visit.

Placing the feeders close to nectar producing flowers will also increase the odds that hummingbirds come to feed. They naturally search nearby for more flowers so adding a steady food source with a nectar-filled feeder will make your yard an important feeding destination.

5: Prevent competition from bees and other insects

Hummingbirds are not the only pollinators that appreciate homemade nectar. Bees, wasps, flies, and other insects will also be attracted to a hummingbird feeder.

Bees are attracted to the color yellow, so avoiding that color on your hummingbird feeder will help keep bees at bay. It is also important to always keep hummingbird feeders clean as any spilled nectar will attract insects.

We recommend using hummingbird feeders that have built-in ant guards to prevent ants from swarming. An ant guard is a small pool of water collected on the top of the feeder which prevents ants from descending down to the sweet nectar solution below.

Another myth is that putting sticky products or oil onto a hummingbird feeder will discourage insects from coming to feed. Again, this is a myth that should not be followed. Hummingbirds are very sensitive to chemicals and oils and should only come across sugar water at your feeder.

A more effective strategy than adding any chemicals would be to wipe down the feeder several times a week.

Keeping a hummingbird feeder free of competition will encourage them to come feed at that location.

Following these 5 simple tips to feeding hummingbirds will help attract them to your garden.

Providing them with an attractive, safe environment to feed from several food sources greatly increases the odds of attracting them to your garden.

What did you think of this article? Did you learn anything about what to feed hummingbirds? Please let us know in the comments section.

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