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.
Please subscribe me to your newsletter. I have about 12 hummingbirds in my garden. Just Beautiful. Also I can get very close to them. Thank you!
Andrea – Stone Mountain, GA
Sep 01, 2010 - 14:38
They seem to love Butterfly Weed. It looks strange in the garden because the stalks can get very tall (some over 5ft) but they graze on them all day.
Sandy – Austin, Texas
Aug 31, 2010 - 14:54
HELP....I wondered if it's O.K. to use powdered or brown sugar to make my hummingbird feed as I ran out of regular granulated sugar...anyone know?? Thanks...
Reply to Sandy
suzy
Aug 31, 2010 - 21:30
no, only use granulated sugar
Nancy Truscott – Michigan
Aug 31, 2010 - 14:25
great site. thanks for the info. we hope to be feeding the hummers in about an hour.
Johnny Shaffer – Santa Fe, Texas
Aug 30, 2010 - 18:58
I think this is very imformative site. I am trying to attract hummingbirds and also butterflies. I use to see a lot of lightning bugs or fire flies in years past not so much anymore?
Ray – kokomo, Indiana
Aug 30, 2010 - 16:35
What causes the food made as the above recipe to get cloudy?
Reply to Ray
Jan – Missouri
Aug 31, 2010 - 21:58
Make sure you boil the water and, use a good brand of cane sugar. Also, make sure you clean your feeders each time you refill or, at least once a week, which ever is sooner. If you continue to have this problem, try using bottled drinking water. Could be something in your water supply.
JRJ – NW arkansas
Aug 29, 2010 - 18:34
Lets get back to the bees and ants which I just can't get rid of, I would like something that really works.
Reply to JRJ
sue – minerva ohio
Aug 31, 2010 - 18:29
I haven't found a natural way yet so...I use 7 dust. It works great.
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
