Bee balm, hollyhock, hibiscus, trumpet honeysuckle, clematis, impatiens, phlox and fuchsias are some of the common flowers that will attract hummingbirds to your garden. But hanging a hummingbird feeder where you can easily see it is probably the best way to observe the hummingbirds in action.
There's no need to buy expensive hummingbird nectar - make your own, from this simple hummingbird syrup recipe.
Hummingbird Nectar Recipe
1 part sugar/4 parts water
Boil the water first, then measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water.
Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use.
Do not add food coloring, honey (which ferments), or artificial sweetener, which has no nutritional value.
You will need to clean your feeder about once a week. According to the National Audubon Society, this should be done by rinsing with one part white vinegar to four parts water. If the feeder is dirty, try adding a few grains of dry rice to the vinegar solution to help scrub it clean. Follow the vinegar wash by rinsing three times with clear, warm water before refilling with sugar solution.
The wing beat rate of hummingbirds varies by species, with the common Ruby-Throated Hummingbird averaging a wing beat of about 53 per second, seen by the human eye as a blur. The wings move in a figure eight pattern to produce the gravity-defying hover effect for which hummers are famous. The energy needs of this little bird are amazing - they must feed every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day, consuming up to two thirds of their body weight in food. An important part of the hummingbird diet is sugar, from flower nectar, tree sap and, of course, backyard feeders.
Hummingbirds cannot smell and depend on their eyesight to seek out flowers and food sources. Inexpensive hummingbird feeders are readily available and will attract the busy little birds without the need for coloring the food - the bright red container and easy food source will keep them coming throughout the day. Since hummingbirds are territorial, you may want to hang two feeders - one in the back yard and one in the front, to accomodate as many hummingbirds as you can. Hanging the feeders in a shady spot will discourage fermentation and spoilage of the nectar.
You can prevent ants from getting to the hummingbird feeder. Search online for "hummingbird ant moat". It's a cup you fill with water that goes between your hanging device and feeder. I've used it for years and it works. You do have to remember to keep it full of water. Anyone have a solution to keep bees away from a hummingbird feeder?
jessica – ga
Mar 17, 2010 - 12:05
i didnt see an answer regarding the ants. we have ants really bad. how can we avoid the ants yet still get to the humming birds??? i am preparing mine today so any help is appreciated!
-jessica
Reply to jessica
gpickett – il
Mar 18, 2010 - 06:21
put soap on the wire to your feeder to keep ants out of the food
Judy Ingle – Hamilton, AL
Mar 16, 2010 - 23:56
Is it to early to put out my feeders?
chris thomas – grass valley, CA.
Mar 16, 2010 - 21:47
Am I the only one with ant problems? I hung my feeder for a few days, and it was fine. Then today, the ants were everywhere, including on the deck where it dripped. I can handle the deck, but they were coming down the hanging wire into the feeder. The little feeder holes were FULL of ants. How can I keep them from coming down the wire without insecticides? HELP>>>>
joanne – cleveland,ms
Mar 11, 2010 - 19:29
just saw my first hummingbird today at 6:00pm, thursday,3/11 in cleveland, ms
Reply to joanne
Terry – Columbus, MS
Mar 15, 2010 - 10:52
That is encouraging to me; I am hanging up my feeder today; Spring needs to get here!
Thomas Latne – Brightwood, OR
Mar 06, 2010 - 22:55
I found an older "Hummingbird Soup" recipe, and it goes a bit beyond the typical 4 cups water/1 cup sugar ratio. It calls for 4C water and 1 C sugar, and then says to add 1 tsp powdered milk, 1 T dextrose, and 1 T soyagen. The anonymous author says this is more nutritious than simply sugar and water. Has anyone any experience with this combo? Is it healthy and non-toxic for hummers?
pilar – seattle
Mar 06, 2010 - 11:11
can I use organic agave in place of sugar for my hummungbird feeders?
Reply to pilar
Mike
Mar 12, 2010 - 20:34
NO. Only use white granulated corn sugar. Anything else may be dangerous. For example using honey grows a deadly fungus, and using raw sugar (the brown stuff) contains too much Iron which builds up in the birds body and leads to death.
Creating a Hummingbird Garden Turn your garden into a haven for hummingbirds. This charmingly illustrated volume has garden plans, plus information on zone hardiness, soil conditions, sun and shade. It's also packed with facts on the lives and habits of hummingbirds.
It's a Hummingbird's Life This children's book about hummingbirds has beautiful watercolor illustrations, plus lots of charming hummingbird lore as the author follows a ruby-throated hummingbird through the seasons. Parents will like the tips on growing a hummingbird garden!
A Hummingbird in My House: The Story of Squeak Heart-warming story of the author's adoption of Squeak, a hummingbird that she rescued from killer frost. Squeak lives in her sunroom until spring, while the author photographs and records what it is like to interact with "a living jewel among the flowers."
Sweet Valley Hummingbird Feeder
For yourself or as a special gift, this Sweet Valley Hummingbird Feeder crafted of hand-blown glass, giving each piece its own unique iridescence. Holds 20 ounces of nectar (sold separately) and includes a graceful metal "S" hook for hanging.
Hummingbird Migration Maps:
Track the migration of ruby-throated hummingbirds in North America; add your own first sighting of the season to the Hummingbird Migration Map.
Ontario Hummingbird Project Maps and tracks hummingbird migration and the hummer population in Ontario, Canada.
Printable Hummingbird Bookmarks: Hummingbird Bookmarks If you're setting up a hummingbird feeder as a gift, why not include one of the free printable hummingbird bookmarks from AllFreePrintables?
How to Make Hummingbird Food
The wing beat rate of hummingbirds varies by species, with the common Ruby-Throated Hummingbird averaging a wing beat of about 53 per second, seen by the human eye as a blur. The wings move in a figure eight pattern to produce the gravity-defying hover effect for which hummers are famous. The energy needs of this little bird are amazing - they must feed every 10 to 15 minutes throughout the day, consuming up to two thirds of their body weight in food. An important part of the hummingbird diet is sugar, from flower nectar, tree sap and, of course, backyard feeders. 
Creating a Hummingbird Garden
It's a Hummingbird's Life
A Hummingbird in My House: The Story of Squeak 
Hummingbird Feeder Tubes For Making Your Own Feeders (Pkg of 12)
Sweet Valley Hummingbird Feeder
