Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by Cristina
Check this article and find out what is the best way to feed hummingbirds.
These world’s smallest birds are some of the most fascinating and flashy fliers you will ever see, and attracting them to your yard is not difficult if you start thinking like you are one of them. Given that they feed five to eight times in just one hour, with very little effort on your part, you can use those voracious appetites with a wonderfully attractive habitat to entice them to visit you. Keep reading this article as instructions on the best way to feed hummingbirds await you below.
Instructions On The Best Way To Feed Hummingbirds
All beginners will be delighted as this definitive guide to hummingbird feeding will explain everything you need to know about creating a hummingbird-friendly, safe and comfortable environment.
So, if you are in favor, let’s go into more detail about the best way to feed hummingbirds.
How To Feed Hummingbirds?
These birds are truly insatiable and there is almost no food source they will refuse to taste. Most of all, just like us humans, they like to be fed a buffet, as it is guaranteed to be tempting for these tiny birds, but can also satisfy all their nutritional needs.
You can offer food to hummingbirds in several different ways. For example, you can place brightly colored feeders in your yard, plant a variety of nectar-rich plants and flowers, or leave pieces of peeled and open ripe fruit.
Finally, we have to mention one of the most beautiful, but at the same time the rarest forms of feeding these birds, which is with your own hands. Although they are very small and gentle, once you gain their trust, hummingbirds can literally eat out of your hand. They are not that afraid of humans, what’s more, you can be great friends.
In any case, you have many options; it is just up to you to choose the one that suits you best.
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When Do You Feed Hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds eat year-round, however, depending on your location and whether you have non-migratory or just migratory species, the time you bring your feeders out into the yard will vary.
Furthermore, it is difficult to predict the exact date when the first bird will arrive in your town, therefore, feeders need to be out by mid-March to attract early migrants. We would never suggest you wait to bring them out until you see the first visitor, which is not such a smart idea, rather preempt them to make sure they choose you and not some neighbor two streets down.
For an easier understanding of when to expect hummingbirds in your area, feel free to click here. This article could be of great help to you.
What Is The Best Food For Hummingbirds?
Hummingbirds need a varied and nutritionally rich food source to live a healthy and happy life. Although nectar, regardless of whether it is from flowers or your feeders, is the most abundant, they need a lot of other things to meet their daily needs for proteins, fats, minerals, and vitamins.
Accordingly, the best way to feed hummingbirds is by offering a variety of food sources.
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Real Flowers Are Best
Given that they are guided by the sense of sight and not the sense of smell, these incredible flying creatures instinctively watch for red things and investigate them. Countless times we found ourselves in a situation where a small hummer chased the nose of our friend who got sunburned. In addition, we saw them around the children’s park humming around the swings and slides just because they were painted in bright red and orange tones.
This is exactly why we suggest that you enrich your yard with bright red blooms with a tubular shape, as they are best adapted for hummingbird pollination.
Furthermore, to be sure to avoid all possible dangers, you must opt for those plants that are indigenous to your area that provides natural nectar that contains micronutrients, as opposed to the refined sugar found in feeders.
Offer Homemade Nectar
Wondering what takes the crown as “the best thing to feed hummingbirds”? Although it is quite difficult to single out just one thing, however, if we really have to, then we would say that the best thing you can offer them is homemade nectar. In addition, it is a much better option than those commercial mixes, and it can also save you a lot of money as it is made from two basic kitchen staples that can be found in every pantry.
A simple (1:4) solution of sugar water is just as attractive to hummingbirds as sources of natural nectar, but we must note that it is advisable to boil the water in order to clean it of impurities and thereby extend its shelf life.
How To Feed A Hummingbird Without A Feeder?
Although most of you will think at first that feeding without a feeder is an impossible mission, the reality is just the opposite. If you can’t afford a feeder, it doesn’t mean you have to give up this hobby.
The best way to feed hummingbirds without a feeder is to pour nectar into an open container, cup, bowl, plate, or whatever you have on hand. It’s just important to place it near brightly colored things to attract their attention.
On top of that, we mustn’t forget to mention that a good part of their daily menu consists of various creepy-crowly, soft-bodied creatures. This is exactly why you should try to attract insects to your yard with a water feature or some plants such as Dill, Fennel, Parsley, and/or Cilantro.
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That’s it, now you know the best way to feed hummingbirds. It is only important to keep your feeder clean and filled with fresh nectar and to plant non-invasive native species so as not to harm the environment.
We hope you find this article useful. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know in the comment section below.
Related article: How Long Do Hummingbirds Live Without Food?
