They are one of the most exciting guests to your backyard garden—the hummingbird. However, they can also be one of the most elusive, with many homeowners wondering how to attract hummingbirds to their yard.
You can find 23 species of hummingbird in the US, in a range of bright and vibrant colors, with most so small and fast that you may hardly notice them at first!
If you’d like to see more of the beautiful hummingbird in your yard, here’s how you can naturally attract them to your property.
Knowing How to Attract Hummingbirds Starts with Knowing What They Eat
A hummingbird feeder is a great way to attract them to your yard. While you may already have a feeder for bird seed, hummingbirds have different tastes and will want sugar water, which can be easily mixed at home.
If you’re wondering how to attract hummingbirds to a feeder, know that it helps to hang it in shade and to change the water every few days in the summer, before it goes cloudy.
Online shops like Nature-niche.com are a good place to find feeders, if you don’t already have one.
Plant Flowers Rich in Nectar
What do hummingbirds eat? Nectar! This is why they have such long beaks, as they depend on the energy from the nectar of flowers to constantly fly.
If you plant native flowers and plants, this can help attract hummingbirds to your yard. The best plants will vary based on your climate, but they love honeysuckle, bee balms, and foxgloves, to name a few.
Look for brightly-colored flowers, as this will catch their eye.
Add a Birdbath to Your Yard
Most birds love water, so adding a birdbath to your yard may appeal to local hummingbirds. Attaching a mister to your birdbath is a good way to attract them, as this type of bird likes to take frequent baths.
Plus, putting water for birds can be a lifesaver if you live in a dry climate.
Provide Plants They Can Use for Nesting
If you can provide shrubbery and bushes for nesting, this will help encourage hummingbirds to stay in your yard. Trees and shrubs keep them safe and provide protection, so try to plant them in your yard.
Hummingbirds also like perching, as it allows them to take a break in a safe place and look around. While tree branches are good for this, you can also add some small wooden platforms around your lawn to help.
Start Enjoying the Beauty of Hummingbirds
Ready to increase the variety of birds in your yard? Now that you know how to attract hummingbirds, use the tips above to make your yard more appealing to these gorgeous and tiny creatures.
While it may take some time before you start seeing them arrive, it’s worth the wait—these spectacular birds are fun to watch and are unlike anything else.
Did you find this helpful? If so, please check out our other blogs for more tips and inspiration.