Nature’s Tiny Acrobats: Inviting Hummingbirds to Your Outdoor Oasis

Have you ever been captivated by the mesmerizing dance of a hummingbird as it hovers effortlessly, its wings a blur, and its iridescent feathers shimmering in the sunlight? These remarkable creatures are not just a delight to observe, but they also play a crucial role in the ecosystem as pollinators, making them a welcomed addition to any garden.

The Hummingbird’s Remarkable Metabolism

Hummingbirds are truly remarkable and fascinating creatures. This diverse family includes the world’s smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird of Cuba, as well as some of the strongest migrants. The Rufous Hummingbird, for instance, undertakes the longest avian migration in the world if based upon distance traveled in proportion to body size. To sustain their supercharged metabolisms, hummingbirds must eat once every 10 to 15 minutes and visit between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers per day. Those hefty appetites were the focus of Hummingbirds at Home, a community science program run by Audubon from 2013 to 2021.

Hummingbirds and Climate Change

Wanting to help these amazing birds, participants in Audubon’s Hummingbirds at Home observed hummingbirds and their insatiable feeding and reported their observations to the program. One goal of Hummingbirds at Home was to learn more about hummingbird feeding habits from a variety of nectar sources. From this, Audubon scientists studied how this reflects the changing climate’s impacts on hummingbirds and their habitats. As plant bloom times change in response to climate change, do hummingbirds adapt to feed from other nectar plants? The program received thousands of feeding reports, which are an important first step to understanding the crucial relationship between hummingbirds and their food sources.

Hummingbird-Friendly Plants

Over the program’s run, 21 hummingbird species were reported to Hummingbirds at Home, as well as 371 identified blooming plant species. Some of the most commonly reported native plants that can attract hummingbirds include:

• Native in the southwest, Pacific northwest, mountain west, southeast, east, and mid-west sections of the US
• Native to California, the southwest, and the southeast sections of the US
• Native to the Pacific northwest, east, and mid-west sections of the US
• Native to California, New Mexico, Texas, the southeast, east, and mid-west sections of the US
• Native to the southeast, east, and mid-west sections of the US
• Native to California, the southwest, southeast, east, and mid-west sections of the country
• Native to the southeast US
• Native to the southwest US
• Native to Texas
• Native to California

These native plant groups can have a variety of species that span the country, and you can learn more about recommended native plants that attract hummingbirds on the Audubon website.

Creating a Hummingbird-Friendly Oasis

You can attract, feed, and nourish hummingbirds in your backyard with a few easy steps. Flowers, perches, insects, and water are the key ingredients to a healthy yard that will attract these amazing jewels. Hummingbirds are specialized for nectar-eating, evident by their long bills and grooved tongues, which are ideal for probing flowers. Sugary nectar supplies fast energy and makes up 90 percent of a hummingbird’s diet.

Unfortunately, due to development and climate change, hummingbird-friendly habitat may be changing across many hummingbird migration routes. But you can create a healthy environment for hummingbirds with these steps:

Provide Nesting Sites

Hummingbirds prefer to nest near a ready supply of nectar and other food, and you can encourage them to nest in your yard by maintaining some shrubbery and small deciduous trees in which they can seek protective cover, especially around the edges of your yard. They build their tiny, expandable nests on tree limbs and other small horizontal surfaces, often constructing them from lichens and spider webs. Make sure you have plenty of safe places for hummingbirds to rest and sleep in your yard.

Offer Perching Spots

Hummingbirds often perch to rest or survey their territory. Some spots should be in the open and obvious for territorial birds, while others should be in protected areas, hidden from view and buffered from any cooler overnight temperatures.

Provide Protein Sources

Hummingbirds need protein from pollen and insects to maintain their bodies and grow new feathers. Like swifts, hummingbirds are specialized aerial hunters and can snatch small insects from the air. Hummingbirds also glean insects from leaves and from spider webs. To maintain a healthy ecosystem in your yard, avoid using pesticides that can harm these beneficial insects.

Include a Water Source

Hummingbirds love to bathe frequently, even in the pools of droplets that collect on leaves. Provide your yard with a constant source of water from a drip fountain attachment or a fine misting device. A misting device is an especially attractive water source for hummingbirds.

Hang a Hummingbird Feeder

Backyard hummingbird feeders provide hummingbirds with nectar critical to their survival, especially during fall and spring migration. Follow these steps to ensure your yard is a safe and nutritious stopover for hummingbirds:

• Use the standard recipe of four parts water to one part sugar to make the nectar. Boil the mixture for two minutes to sterilize it, then let it cool to room temperature before filling the feeder.
• Avoid using honey or artificial sweeteners, as they can harm the birds.
• Don’t add red food coloring, as the feeders are already designed to attract hummingbirds.
• Clean the feeder at least once every three days in hot weather or once a week in cool weather to prevent harmful bacteria buildup.

By following these steps, you can create a thriving hummingbird oasis right in your own backyard. And who knows, you might even get to witness the breathtaking aerial displays of these remarkable creatures as they flit from flower to feeder, adding a touch of magic to your outdoor space.

Remember, if you’re looking for inspiration or guidance on how to transform your yard into a hummingbird-friendly paradise, be sure to visit Today’s Gardens, a trusted resource for all your garden design and landscaping needs.