Every species of bird require water, food, nesting spots and shelter and people who understand the basic needs of hummingbirds can attract a lot of tem to their garden.
When it comes to food, the main thing really to keep in mind is it's a basic need for every creature in the planet, and thus probably the most important one. For hummingbirds, you can provide them with food by either growing the right kind of plants that they like to feed on, with small insects they can eat, and also have your garden enhanced with feeders they can visit.
Plants - The hummingbirds frequently feed on flowers rich with nectar, and planting these kinds of flowers will easily attract a large number of the birds. Though red color is quite attractive to the hummingbirds, the presence of plenty of nectar in the flowers is the most important factor. Flowers like petunias, salvias, impatiens, bleeding hearts, columbine, bee balm, honeysuckles and several other flowers, trees and species of shrubs attract different kinds of hummingbirds. People, who prefer non-red colored flowers, can add purple or red gazing balls which will also attract the birds.
Now, still related to food, are insects. Though hummingbirds just love feeding on nectar, they also like to mix up their diet with spiders and a few insects. So further attract these hummingbirds, you can allow insects in your garden, and also not use insecticides or pesticides. Keep in mind if you use these you're also killing their source of food, and you might be endangering the lives of the hummingbirds also.
Feeders - A very common way of attracting hummingbirds to the garden is by keeping a nectar feeder. A large variety of feeder styles are available in the market including inverted tubes, saucer disks and gel packs. Feeders also come with ant, bees and hornet guards and are mostly colored red, for attracting the hummingbirds. You can use the commercial nectar concentrates or more preferably the nectar solution made at home in the feeders.
Water - Apart from meeting the hummingbird's need of food, you should also be meeting their need for play. And you can do that by placing fresh and clean water sources that are dripping or moving near the nectar-rich flowers. This way, hummingbirds can go for a bit of play in the moving water after they enjoy the nectar.
So we've already addressed their need for food and play, the next thing we should be thinking of is their need for nesting spots. Unlike other birds, hummingbirds prefer to build their cup-shaped nests in shrubs, trees, and along wires or clotheslines. It'd be a good idea then to have a few native plants dotting your garden where they can safely build their nests and will make your garden even more attractive. You can go a step further by also placing proper nesting materials like fine lint, animal fur, and small lengths of string that the hummingbirds can pick up.
Shelter - Hummingbirds look for shelter or perching to preen or rest while they are not feeding. You can provide perches like clotheslines, thin poles and vines, wires, trellises and various levels of shrubbery to give them suitable shelter. As, many of the hummingbirds are quiet aggressive, they also prefer perches with good field of view for protecting their territories. To attract more hummingbirds, position the perching shrubs and plants near the food sources.
When it comes to food, the main thing really to keep in mind is it's a basic need for every creature in the planet, and thus probably the most important one. For hummingbirds, you can provide them with food by either growing the right kind of plants that they like to feed on, with small insects they can eat, and also have your garden enhanced with feeders they can visit.
Plants - The hummingbirds frequently feed on flowers rich with nectar, and planting these kinds of flowers will easily attract a large number of the birds. Though red color is quite attractive to the hummingbirds, the presence of plenty of nectar in the flowers is the most important factor. Flowers like petunias, salvias, impatiens, bleeding hearts, columbine, bee balm, honeysuckles and several other flowers, trees and species of shrubs attract different kinds of hummingbirds. People, who prefer non-red colored flowers, can add purple or red gazing balls which will also attract the birds.
Now, still related to food, are insects. Though hummingbirds just love feeding on nectar, they also like to mix up their diet with spiders and a few insects. So further attract these hummingbirds, you can allow insects in your garden, and also not use insecticides or pesticides. Keep in mind if you use these you're also killing their source of food, and you might be endangering the lives of the hummingbirds also.
Feeders - A very common way of attracting hummingbirds to the garden is by keeping a nectar feeder. A large variety of feeder styles are available in the market including inverted tubes, saucer disks and gel packs. Feeders also come with ant, bees and hornet guards and are mostly colored red, for attracting the hummingbirds. You can use the commercial nectar concentrates or more preferably the nectar solution made at home in the feeders.
Water - Apart from meeting the hummingbird's need of food, you should also be meeting their need for play. And you can do that by placing fresh and clean water sources that are dripping or moving near the nectar-rich flowers. This way, hummingbirds can go for a bit of play in the moving water after they enjoy the nectar.
So we've already addressed their need for food and play, the next thing we should be thinking of is their need for nesting spots. Unlike other birds, hummingbirds prefer to build their cup-shaped nests in shrubs, trees, and along wires or clotheslines. It'd be a good idea then to have a few native plants dotting your garden where they can safely build their nests and will make your garden even more attractive. You can go a step further by also placing proper nesting materials like fine lint, animal fur, and small lengths of string that the hummingbirds can pick up.
Shelter - Hummingbirds look for shelter or perching to preen or rest while they are not feeding. You can provide perches like clotheslines, thin poles and vines, wires, trellises and various levels of shrubbery to give them suitable shelter. As, many of the hummingbirds are quiet aggressive, they also prefer perches with good field of view for protecting their territories. To attract more hummingbirds, position the perching shrubs and plants near the food sources.
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