It has been said that hummingbirds will search every square inch of their habitat in search of food. You can easily learn how to attract hummingbirds to your garden or your yard in several ways.

Putting up a hummingbird feeder is covered on this page. A hummingbird nectar recipe is shown on the Hummingbird Nectar Recipe page. Plants that attract hummingbirds are found on the Attracting Hummingbirds With Plants page. Adding water to your garden to attract hummingbirds is found on the Attracting Hummingbirds With Water page.


Put up a Hummingbird Feeder

There are approximately nine species of hummingbirds that migrate to the United States and Canada annually, with the Anna's and Costa's Hummingbirds staying year round in a few locations. You need to find out the time frame that hummingbirds visit your area in order to determine when to put up your feeder. Get ready for the migration.  You can track and report your first Rufous and Ruby Throat Hummingbird sightings of the year starting in February at Journey North.  

Using a basic glass hummingbird feeder that is red in color at the base with home made (fresh) nectar is best.

It is better to have multiple feeders that are smaller, than one feeder that is bigger. This will reduce the chance for one hummingbird to dominate the feeder and chase others off.

When first putting out a feeder, it may be best to put it away from your house, in an area visible from above, but less distracting. Feeders near houses are less likely to be seen. Additionally, movement from inside the house may scare the hummingbird away. Once you have some hummingbirds visiting your feeder, you may wish to move closer to your house for better viewing. Many find the use of a hummingbird feeder w/ suction cup their favorite as it puts the birds right next to the house.

Feeders should be kept up for approximately two to four weeks after the last hummingbird has been spotted for any straggling migratory hummingbirds. Occasionally, some locations may have a hummingbird staying over the winter. Keep your eyes peeled!