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.
whats the best way to attract hummers to a new location
jan – corona calif
Jan 25, 2010 - 22:39
someone told me that sugar can damage a hummingbirds beak if it crystalizes...is this true?
Cindy – Central California
Jan 23, 2010 - 13:36
I brought my feeder in and it had mold on the interior. I've clean with a mixture of 1 part bleach and 6 parts water. Rinsed multiple times. Will this cause a problem for the Hummingbirds? I've let it air dry. Haven't refilled yet. Please let me know as soon as possible.
Reply to Cindy
michele – southpasadena
Feb 05, 2010 - 19:00
I hope it's not too late. Never clean anything animals will use with bleach, it's toxic for them and toxic to the environment. A friend cleaned her geckos cage with bleach and thoroughly dried it and the gecko died within a few days. Non toxic cleaners are the way to go like Simple Green or hoe remedies like vinegar and lemon.
carole – ventura/half moon bay
Jan 21, 2010 - 17:55
what is the harm in using organic sugar to feed??
sandra Eaves – Springfield, Oregon
Jan 11, 2010 - 21:24
Does it hurt ( the hummingbirds) to leave the feeder out all winter?
That is with food in it.
Reply to sandra Eaves
kay – gresham, or
Jan 23, 2010 - 14:56
no, it doesn't... not this winter but 2008 we fed them throughout the horrid winter, we were amazed to have four of them feeding, even in below freezing. We worried about them as the feeder would freeze in the evening but husband would bring it in mornings and I ran it under the hot tap until it thawed enough to come out, saved it, made new with very warm water and hung out.
they would flock around it.... when husband wasout shoveling snow off our deck, if it was forzen again they would get right down in his face and buzz him to let him know they needed food! Between us and the neighbors on both sides we kept all 4 alive until spring. All of us feed about three squirrels too! I am basically a shut-in and I love watching all our critters.
Widebandit – southern nevada
Jan 10, 2010 - 19:57
I boil for 2 reasons: It helps the sugar dissolve, and it sterilizes the container. I use 4 cups water, 1 cup sugar, heat the water in the microwave, then pour the hot water directly over the sugar in a 32oz sports bottle. I let the bottle cool till it's just warm then put it in the fridge.
I live in a desert climate and have only about 5 or 6 birds in summer that take only an oz or two a day. I have 3 or 4 costas that stay year-round so consumption is less in winter.
With so few birds, competition is fierce. I've found it better to place several 1-oz feeders around the yard, making it harder for one bird (male or female) to dominate the feeders.
As for sugar, my birds prefer sucrose (cane sugar) over dextrose. I discovered this by accident when I ran out of a well-known instant nectar containing dextrose and made a batch of cane sugar. Overnite I went from only one or two visits per hour to birds guarding the feeders. Cane sugar is a lot cheaper and red color is not-necessary as the birds don't care and if your sugar is good, they'll take it regardless of color.
I use cage-style bee guards modified for easier hummer access. Honeybees are no problem, but yellow jackets sometimes get stuck in the cage.
imogene – northern calif
Jan 05, 2010 - 20:16
Seriously - WHY you have to boil the water - I am worried now since for years I haven't - I make sure the sugar is dissolved.????? Hint: To keep ants etc from getting in - you can buy a very inexpensive thing to hang it from from the store. thanks, Imogene
Reply to imogene
Richard Stinespring
Jan 29, 2010 - 11:40
The point of boiling is to make sure the sugar is thoroughly dissolved. If you are doing that without boiling then your solution is fine. I have done it for years.
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
