How to attract hummingbirds to your yard

Want to attract hummingbirds to your yard?

More than 300 species of hummingbirds exist worldwide. However, only about 18 are regularly found in the U.S., including nine common species in Texas.

Experts from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and The Gardens at Texas A&M University share tips for providing reliable food sources and habitat that can help attract these birds to your yard when they’re nearby.

“Hummingbirds can buzz around as fast as 40 mph from flower to flower and have the highest energy output per unit of body weight of any animal in the world,” said Mike Arnold, Ph.D., professor and director of The Gardens, Bryan-College Station. “They are the smallest birds but need an incredible amount of energy, which means a substantial amount of nectar — or nectar substitute — to keep up with their caloric demands.”

Hummingbird feeder use and maintenance

Hummingbirds need extra energy during spring and fall migrations. So, offering reliable nectar during these seasons is especially important.

However, feeders can remain out year-round in the appropriate regions of Texas — if they are properly maintained, said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension agent in Gillespie County and Birding with AgriLife Extension program coordinator.

Follow Grant’s tips to keep hummingbird feeders clean and safe:

• Put feeders out two weeks before hummingbirds are expected to arrive in your area.
• Replace food every two to four days to prevent black mold that can make birds sick. If temperatures exceed 90 degrees, replace food daily or every other day.
• Clean feeders with white vinegar during each refill and rinse thoroughly. Avoid using dish soap, which can leave a residue. Clean feeders more often if they are in direct sunlight and in humid climates.
• Only offer as much nectar as hummingbirds can drink in a few days.
• Place multiple feeders in different areas of your yard to reduce competition between birds.
• Choose feeders with ant moats, bee guards, bright colors and clear nectar containers for best results.

“Keeping feeders clean, filled and well-maintained takes time and consistency,” Grant said. “If that’s more commitment than you’re ready for, consider doing a landscape design that’s best for your birds instead.”

How to make homemade hummingbird nectar

Making homemade hummingbird nectar requires only two ingredients and a few simple steps:

1. Mix nectar — Boil water and mix four parts of water with one part of white granulated sugar.
2. Cool before use — Let the nectar cool completely before filling feeders.
3. Store the extra — Refrigerate unused nectar for up to two weeks.

While hummingbirds are attracted to red and other bright colors, don’t add dyes or additives to nectar. These additives are unnecessary and can be harmful to hummingbirds.

Instead, choose a feeder that is red or has red accents. You can also paint the feeder pole or hanger.

How to provide water for hummingbirds

Hummingbirds need fresh water in addition to nectar. A shallow container filled with water or a bubbling bird bath provides a place for them to drink and bathe.

Best flowers to attract hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to tubular flowers that match their long, specialized beaks, Arnold said.

Some hummingbird-friendly plants are: Firebush, Turk’s cap, Lantana, Petunia and Pride of Barbados.

For more planting ideas, access AgriLife Extension’s guide to creating an insect and pollinator-friendly garden at tx.ag/PollinatorFriendlyGarden.

For best feeding results:

• Plant a variety of flowers with staggered bloom times.
• Aim for a continuous nectar supply from March through fall.
• Use feeders when there aren’t enough flowers in bloom to provide nectar.

When are hummingbirds in Texas?

Some hummingbirds stay year-round in parts of Texas, while others migrate south to spend the fall and winter months in a warmer climate.

“Simply put, some hummingbirds migrate and some don’t,” Arnold said. “Depending on the part of the state you live in, you can have birds year-round.”

To track migration activity and learn more about hummingbirds in your area, visit Cornell Lab’s BirdCast website.

To learn more, visit https://wildlife.tamu.edu/birding/.