The Joy of Hummingbirds

| Joy |

In the northern hemisphere, spring is in full swing, and summer will be sneaking up soon. One thing that fills me with joy during this time of the year is the return of hummingbirds. My son spotted the first arrival for us a few weeks ago, and I was so excited to put out our hummingbird feeder knowing the pleasure it will bring. So, I’d like to offer the idea of attracting hummingbirds as a simple way to sprinkle a little joy into your life if you live in an area they visit.

Hummingbirds are only found in the Americas. The majority of species live near the equator. Only about twenty-four species can be found in the United States where I am. Most migrate north and south for food, eating nectar from flowers (and juice in hummingbird feeders), insects, and even tree sap if other food sources aren’t available. Before they migrate, they must double their weight for the long travel. That being so, attracting hummingbirds to your home not only provides you some joy but also helps these tiny birds out.

Attract Hummingbirds with Feeders

Hummingbird feeders filled with sugar water are great way to attract hummingbirds, but they do require some work. The juice needs to be fresh and the feeders need to be kept clean. It’s recommended to clean and add fresh juice every two days in warm and hot weather and every three days when it’s cooler out. If you don’t feel you have the time to devote to keeping up a feeder but would like to have hummingbirds around, skip to the next section about plants they enjoy.

If you’d like to put out a hummingbird feeder, the first step is to pick one out. There are many different styles to choose from. Once you have your feeder, give it a good cleaning and let it dry. While it’s drying, make some juice and pick a spot to place it. I recommend a location that has some shade during the hot hours of the day, or I’ve found the juice gets too hot and goes bad faster. When the feeder is dry and the juice is ready, I recommend only filling the feeder with a small amount and storing the remaining juice in the refrigerator. That way less is wasted when you change it out.

How to make hummingbird juice…

• Mix 1 part white granulated cane sugar to 4 parts water. For example, use 1 cup of sugar and 4 cups of water. (Don’t add red food coloring to your mix or use sugar alternatives. They are harmful to hummingbirds.)
• Stir the mix up and let the sugar dissolve. Some recipes call for boiling the mix for a few minutes and some don’t. I used to boil it, but now I don’t and haven’t noticed any difference.
• The mix can be stored in your refrigerator for up to a week. If you notice any mold growing on it, pour it down the drain and make a new batch.

How to clean your feeder…

• Take apart and rinse the left over juice out of the feeder.
• In your sink or a large container, soak the feeder (all parts) in a vinegar and water solution (1/4 cup distilled white vinegar and 4 cups of water) for about 10 minutes.
• Use a bottle brush to scrub as needed. (It’s important to make sure no black mold is growing in the feeder. It is harmful to hummingbirds.)
• Rinse thoroughly.
• Air dry or dry with a microfiber towel to prevent lint buildup.

Attract Hummingbirds with Plants

Hummingbird feeders are a commitment, but there are many plants that offer an alternative way to encourage hummingbirds to stop by. They also give you the added bonus of beautiful flowers, not to mention attracting some other fun visitors like butterflies and bumblebees.

Bellow is a list of some flowering plants that provide nectar hummingbirds love to get you started. As you look through the list of plants, consider how much space you have available, the amount of sun exposure, and your climate. Also, plant them in an area that won’t be exposed to pesticides. Pesticides unfortunately affect more than just the pest, weed, or fungus they are targeting and can harm hummingbirds and other creatures that will visit the plants. The following is a link to a comprehensive guide to planting for hummingbirds. https://www.gardenersoasis.com/hummingbird-plants/

Plants to attract hummingbirds…

• Bee Balm
• Fuchsia
• Honeysuckle
• Lantana
• Milkweed
• Phlox
• Salvia
• Sunflower
• Trumpet vine
• Verbena

I’d love to hear about any hummingbird visits you have!