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.
Do you make the humming bird food a little more sweeter in the winter? As we get them in the winter also.
Linda – Wisconsin
Nov 12, 2009 - 10:09
I no longer hang my feeder close to a window. Had 2 hummingbirds who were doing their territorial flight/battles and one hit the window hard.
Picked him off the ground and placed him up safe to recover, but he could not fly again. I fed him by hand out of a milk cap (red/pink color milk caps) and held him up to my fuschia plant to fed. It was sad thing and never want to have to go through that again.
I now make sure my feeder is far from any window traps.....
Q. Melson – Chandler Az
Nov 11, 2009 - 22:59
I have a feeder on my Patio. About two months ago a strange humming bird which appears to be deformed showed up. It has one normal leg and the other is what appears to be a longer leg closer to the upper right side of its body, it hangs approxiamately 2inchs long with a sack on the end of it that is covered with feathers, it also swings as he is feeding. This sack is about the size of a small gum ball. I have described it the best way I could. I had watched him for about 3 weeks and could never catch a video of him. Finally I captured a couple of photos and took a Video of it on my cell phone, although the color is not that clear, you can surely see it and the sack. I went on line and could't find anything on deformed humming birds. Can someone tell me how this occured. I haven't seen him in a couple of weeks now, however the other are still feeding. I am wondering what happened to its body and has anyone ever seen a Humming Bird as described.
Martha O. – Indio, CA
Nov 02, 2009 - 15:29
I have 3 feeders and I have always used Perky's food, which you just add water (I use filtered). They seem to like it as I need to refill the feeders at least 3/4 times a weeks. Sometimes, I think around March, they seem to go away. I am told this is their mating season. Does anyone know this for sure???
Ruth Simpkins – northern CA
Oct 23, 2009 - 19:59
I make my own food for the feeder but it leaves black gook in the feeder on the red plastic part. Anything I can do so this doesn't happen? I clean the feeder every week.
Reply to Ruth Simpkins
Margaret – Bay Area
Oct 27, 2009 - 13:50
What do you use to clean? The little hummers bring impurities on their beaks and mold can appear after a week or so. I use white vinegar and a very long, narrow brush to clean inside and out. When I am desperate, I wash it with a weak bleach solution and rinse like crazy so as not to poison my birds.
Lynnda – Linden,Texas
Oct 15, 2009 - 16:48
I have had hummingbirds all summer . We moved here in May 2009 from Houston and really did not know much about this area. But I have come to love all the things we see everyday such as my hummingbirds/ Some times I have as many as 6 at one time.
Eda Greene – Escondido, CA
Oct 15, 2009 - 13:00
I live in a very big and busy apartment complex but amazingly we have lots and lots of hummingbirds, mostly in our bottle-brush trees. I've tried feeders without much success. I assumed my dog sent them fleeing. Two days ago, I tried the feeder again but this time with home-made nectar. Almost immediately, I had visitors! Now two little birds are squabbling over the feeder. I can even sit out on the patio and watch them close up. I guess they are used to all the hustle and bustle around the apartments and they don't mind my little dog either. Thanks for the good recipe for nectar!
stacey fontaine – panama city beach, fl
Oct 07, 2009 - 16:20
I saw my first hummer last week at my back window hovering around a potted morning glory. I quickly mixed some nectar and filled my feeder, hung it out and have enjoyed one little fellow ever since. Today I spotted two hummers fighting over my feeder. How exciting for my kids to eat dinner and watch these tiny creatures a few inches away:)
Stacey
Bay Point
Chal y – Magnolia, TX
Oct 07, 2009 - 00:16
For two days I have been swatting yellow jackets, watching for hours to rid the yard of them. We cannot find their home (they live in a hole in the ground.) While swatting them I spilled all the store-bought nectar, so I'm glad to have found the recipe.
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
