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How to Attract Hummingbirds to a Feeder

How to Attract Hummingbirds to a Feeder

All images and illustrations by Daniel Ray

Hummingbirds are a wonderful addition to any garden. These fearless little birds are fun to watch while they feed and fight with each other. Planting a hummingbird flower garden is a good way to attract hummingbirds to a feeder. Hummingbirds are very territorial and will protect their feeding areas from birds and insects. Watching the hummers take nectar from flowers is interesting and showcases the bird's natural feeding habits. With just a little effort, you can enjoy a beautiful flower bed--complete with hummingbirds--to enjoy from indoors or outdoors.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Tiller Garden tools Commercial hummingbird seed mix Shepard's hook Sugar
  • Tiller
  • Garden tools
  • Commercial hummingbird seed mix
  • Shepard's hook
  • Sugar
Step 1
Preparing a flower bed
Preparing a flower bed
Prepare a flower bed in the feeder area. Weed and aerate the ground with a tiller or by hand. Enrich the soil with compost and manure. Make this bed in the late winter so it will be ready in the spring.
Step 2
Hummingbird flowers
Hummingbird flowers
Sow a variety of seeds after the chance of frost has passed. Use a commercial hummingbird mix, and broadcast the seeds throughout the flower bed. Gently rake the seeds into the soil, and water generously. Bee balm, zinnias, lantana and columbine are a few of the flowers that hummers prefer.
Step 3
Hummingbird feeding
Hummingbird feeding
Drive a tall shepard's hook into the ground where you wish to hang the feeder. Make sure the feeder is by a window or in an area where you can observe the birds.
Step 4
Hummingbird at feeder
Hummingbird at feeder
Prepare the nectar by combining sugar and water at a rate of one part sugar to four parts water. Boil the water, and stir in the sugar. Mix thoroughly, and let the mixture fully cool.
Step 5
Hummingbird flowers
Hummingbird flowers
Clean the feeder thoroughly. Be careful if using chemicals. Rinse repeatedly to ensure that all detergents and chemicals are gone.
Step 6
Hummingbird
Hummingbird
Fill the feeder and gently turn the feeder on its side to "burp" or remove air in the feeding tubes. Hang the feeder from the hook.

Tips & Warnings

 
Add several feeders to attract more hummers.
 
Do not use a pesticide or herbicide on the flower bed.

Resources

Article Written By Daniel Ray

Daniel Ray has been writing for over 15 years. He has been published in "Florida Sportsman" magazine. He holds an FAA airframe and powerplant license and FCC radiotelephone license, and is also a licensed private pilot. He attended the University of South Florida.

Write for Trails.com

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