![]() And remember to put your feeders where you can see them, whether it’s a place with a clear sightline from your kitchen window or hung near your favorite outdoor relaxation spot. And if you want to help local hummingbirds find your feeder, place red or orange flowers near it to attract their attention. If you wish to avoid window collisions, either place the feeder very close to a window or at least five feet away from one. To prevent predators from reaching your hummingbird feeder, place it at least four feet above the ground. And since hummingbirds are territorial, it’s a good idea to get a feeder with several feeding ports, or to hang two or more feeders in your yard to prevent fighting. Placing hummingbird feeders out of direct sunlight also helps keep the nectar fresher longer. Hang your hummingbird feeder in an area of your yard or garden where there is shelter from sun, wind, rain, and snow. Also, avoid using brown sugar, molasses, honey, or artificial sweeteners in your homemade solution, as these can also be detrimental to hummingbirds. PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of the solution you choose, DO NOT add (or use solution with) red coloring, as it’s unnecessary and can be harmful to hummingbirds. Any extra solution should be refrigerated and will typically stay fresh for 7-10 days. If you go the homemade route, you’ll need to bring this solution to a boil and let it cool before pouring it into your feeder. You can buy hummingbird nectar concentrate or mix your own homemade 1:4 solution of refined white sugar and water. And, as mentioned above, avoid using pesticides and insecticides, as it will not only drive away the insects hummingbirds like to feed on, but it can also harm the hummingbirds themselves. You can also put out some overripe fruit to attract fruit flies-a hummingbird favorite. Planting native plants will help attract more insects to your garden. Hummingbirds also eat insects, and they are an important protein source. ![]() It’s important, however, that you avoid using pesticides, which can harm and even kill hummingbirds. The colors red and orange attract hummingbirds, so try to plant tubular plants in these colors. These gardens include one or more flowers native to the area, which may include beebalm, coral honeysuckles, cardinal flowers, and different kinds of sages. Have you noticed that hummingbirds tend to flit from flower to flower? That’s because these speedy little birds love the nectar they provide, which is why many people like to go the natural route and plant a hummingbird garden. But if you want a better idea of when to expect hummingbirds in your area, here’s a nifty tool to help guide you. As such, it’s a great idea to provide feeders year ‘round. Hummingbirds feed virtually all year long, though when to put out your hummingbird feeders depends on your location, climate and temperature, and migration patterns. Most importantly, feeding hummingbirds supports a type of bird whose numbers have been in decline for decades-with some species seeing as much as a 62 percent population loss! When to Feed Hummingbirds ![]() It acts as a source of fuel for nesting and migrating, and since hummingbirds need to eat every 10-15 minutes (which means visiting between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers daily), it’s also important for everyday sustenance. Let’s get started, shall we? Why Should You Feed Hummingbirds?Īs with any wild bird feeding, providing food for hummingbirds supplements the food they find in nature. In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to offer hummingbird-friendly fare in a safe environment for these small but mighty birds. Want to attract hummingbirds to your yard but not sure what (or how) to feed them? We’re here to help with this definitive guide to hummingbird feeding.
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