Attracting More Hummingbirds

Migration

Like many birds, hummingbirds migrate south for the winter to stay warm. As the temperature rises, they move back up to the Great North. Males come first (not scouts) to find the best places to eat and nest.

More

Attracting more Hummingbirds to your yard begins early. When the males head north they look for the best places to feed. Food sources can be hard to come by, so putting Hummingbird feeders out early can help attract those early males to set up shop and stay for the season. It is important to note that Hummingbird feeders need to be kept meticulously clean. Don’t fill your feeders to the brim right out of the gate. Use a small amount of feed until you have birds feeding regularly. Be sure to clean your feeders regularly.

The best way to keep Hummingbirds fed throughout the season is to fill your landscape with plants they like. This assures a varied diet and much healthier birds.

Here are some plants that are great at attracting more hummingbirds to your yard:

Annuals:

• Salvia (Black and Bloom, Wendy’s Wish, Hot Lips)
• Fuchsia (above)
• Morning Glory (A vining annual that reseeds itself every year and can be in a pot)

Perennials:

• Agastache
• Crocosmia
• Zauschneria

Vines

• Honeysuckle (above)

A few extras

Providing nesting material is a great way to provide what they need to build their adorable nests. Seriously, look up some pictures of Hummingbird nests -- they’re amazing!