Hummingbirds were named after the humming sound they make by rapidly beating their wings. These birds move very fast, and records say that they travel up to 45 mph.
Since hummingbirds have a speedy metabolism, they need a lot of nutrients to keep them active.
And if you want to attract hummingbirds with feeders, you may be wondering how they find feeders.
Contents
- What Time Of The Day Do Hummingbirds Feed?
- Attracting Hummingbirds To Your Yard And Garden: The Best Way To Go About It
- More Tricks To Help Increase Your Hummingbird Flock
- Placing Your Hummingbird Feeder: The Rule To Follow
- Keeping Hummingbird Feeder Away From Pests
- Hummingbirds: What Time Of Year Are They Most Active?
- What Ratio Of Sugar-To-Water Should Be Used For Feeding Hummingbirds?
- Can Molasses Or Honey Be Used Instead Of Sugar To Prepare Hummer Nectar?
- Do Hummingbirds Find Flowers By Their Smell?
- Conclusion
How do hummingbirds find feeders?
These birds are generally attracted to the colors orange and red. So the orange or red on your hummingbird feeder is the easiest way to help them find your feeder. Once these adorable birds find your feeder, they will undoubtedly come back to the same spot the following year, even if you are yet to hang the feeder. Hummingbirds have very sharp eyes and have the ability to remember significant feeding locations.
What Time Of The Day Do Hummingbirds Feed?
Hummingbirds love to find a feeder and feed on your nectar at dawn and dusk. Even though their favorite times to feed are early in the morning and late in the afternoon, hummingbirds can be seen feeding at different times of the day.
If your feeder for hummingbirds is always available, you will have constant hummingbirds’ activities in your yard or garden because these birds eat twice or more than twice their body weight every day.
Attracting Hummingbirds To Your Yard And Garden: The Best Way To Go About It
The hummingbird has over 300 species, and 17 of the species regularly live in the US. The ruby-throated is found in the Mississippi. Most of the hummingbirds migrate, and they create a hummingbird season. This season lasts from spring through summer.
Hummingbirds are among birds you can find throughout the Western Hemisphere, and they can build their home wherever they find shelter, food, and water.
The small sizes of this bird and their acrobatic flying movements make them entertaining to watch.
To attract these adorable birds, decorate your environment with orange and red, feeders, and a beautiful garden. And this will invite them and encourage them to stay.
A lot of people like having hummingbirds in their yard, and attracting them is very easy. After you provide them with food by hanging up a feeder in a safe place that cats and other predators cannot reach, make sure you provide hummingbird-preferred plants.
Doing this gives them space to rest and hunt for insects. Plants that hummingbirds like include cardinal flower, trumpet vine, bee balm, trumpet creeper, honeysuckle, petunia, coralbells, impatiens, and columbine.
If you decide to hang a feeder for a hummingbird, ensure that you make hummingbird water or syrup that is not harmful to the creatures.
Although hummingbirds love the colors red and orange, do not add a red or orange dye to their food. Instead of doing this, buy a red feeder.
Don’t make use of sugar substitutes and also keep the hummingbird feeder clean by rinsing it and refilling it every three to four days.
Once you find that the solution is cloudy and smells foul or fermented, this means that it has spoilt and should be replaced.
Also, other colors like purple, blue, and yellow attract these birds. But because bees are fond of the color yellow, you are better off without using yellow in your garden or yard.
Also, repaint your plastic flowers if the red parts are getting dull or fading away. You can repaint the feeders with a bright magenta nail polish. Ensure your nail polish is dry before you refill the feeder. The bright color of the dry polish will attract hungry hummingbirds.
More Tricks To Help Increase Your Hummingbird Flock
Attracting hummingbirds isn’t just about making your garden or yard an attractive feeding place for them.
If the number of hummingbirds is not increasing, you can try these tricks to make your yard or garden more appealing to them.
- To provide natural nectar, plant flowers for hummingbirds in your yard or garden.
- Reduce the use of insecticides that remove the insects that hummingbirds need to hunt for protein.
- Add more red and orange color to your garden or yard with gazing balls, furniture, or other objects.
- Ensure that there is enough shelter and perches for the birds to use so that they can stay nearby.
Hummingbirds are much-loved backyard birds, and it can be so thrilling to have plenty of them in your yard. If you do what’s expected, you will achieve your aim of having plenty of hummingbirds around you.
Placing Your Hummingbird Feeder: The Rule To Follow
Always remember to put the feeder for hummingbirds in a place where you can view the activities of the hummingbirds.
If you have fulfilled all the requirements mentioned above, here are some rules to hanging your hummingbird feeder:
- Hang the feeder at the edge of your porch. However, it must be close to a smoky barbecue.
- Place the feeder near a garden bench that’s facing eastward to avoid the harsh afternoon sun disturbing your eyes.
- Place the hummingbird feeder close (not too close) to a window. These birds can injure themselves if a collision occurs.
- Place the feeder within the range of your binoculars or your camera equipment. Doing this will help you see them up close.
Keeping Hummingbird Feeder Away From Pests
Ants and Bees
When it comes to nectar feeders, things like ants, and bees, are a huge problem. Although they won’t harm your hummingbirds, ants can find a way into your sugar water wells, and they will clog them up.
Also, while bees are useful pollinators, they can block your views of the birds and also sting the birds. To ward off the skirts, keep your feeders neat and tidy.
If your feeder is turned around by the wind or not securely placed, the nectar can drip, and this will give insects assess.
To prevent leakages, hang the feeder in an area where there is less breeze and keep them away when the weather is too windy.
Clean up spills with hot water and sponger at least once every week. Trash the old nectar and refill the feeder with a fresh one. If the weather is warm, change the filler two times every week.
Other Birds
If there are larger birds in your garden or yard, hummingbirds will not stop to feed. However, upping the avian diversity in your garden will not hurt them.
Different species of birds such as Ladder-backed Woodpeckers and Verdins will visit your hummingbird’s feeders. And this depends on your location. Anything that likes sweet things will visit your garden.
Bears
When bears see hummingbird feeders, they will ensure that they feed on the sugar water, and once the bears find free food, they will always return for more.
Hungry bears will not harm your hummingbirds. However, getting close to humans is not safe for their families and your family.
Attacks are not frequent, but if you scare or surprise them, especially when their cubs are around, the bears can become violent.
If bears are coming to your feeders frequently, take the feeder down and move it inside, and when they stop coming, take your feeder out again.
Make sure your yard is always clean, free of stinky garbage that can attract different animals. Hanging your hummingbird feeder out of reach can also send the bears away. Finding the perfect spot can be quite tricky because those animals can climb trees.
Hummingbirds: What Time Of Year Are They Most Active?
These creatures love warmer climates and eat flower nectars and tiny insects.
Since flowers bloom in springtime through summertime and insects are also usually out at this time, hummingbirds are typically active when the temperature is mild.
Hummingbirds must consume around half their body weight of pure sugar and two to three times their body weight of food because they have a high metabolism rate. You will find hummingbirds in the United States from March through September.
What Ratio Of Sugar-To-Water Should Be Used For Feeding Hummingbirds?
To prepare your hummer nectar, use four parts water to one part sugar. It is the closest to natural flower nectar sucrose content.
The birds readily consume stronger concentrations, but there is no scientific evidence that says there are potentially helpful or harmful effects on the birds.
Can Molasses Or Honey Be Used Instead Of Sugar To Prepare Hummer Nectar?
White sugar is the ideal ingredient. It is the only human-made sweetener that resembles natural flower nectar when mixed with the appropriate amount of water. Do not use other sweeteners, they spoil quickly, and they are not suitable for hummingbirds.
Do Hummingbirds Find Flowers By Their Smell?
Hummingbirds’ sense of smell is shallow. Most hummingbird-friendly plants do not have fragrances, and those that have fragrances, for example, Japanese honeysuckle, are usually native to Africa or Asia. So, hummingbirds don’t find flowers to feed on by their scent.
Best best Hummingbird Feeders For Outdoors
- 【Bee & Ant Proof】: The Glass Hummingbird Feeders with 4 metal flower feeding ports and a built-in ant moat to keep bees and ants away from the hummingbird feeder! Also, with 360° metal hummingbird perches for your birds to rest and play on happily!
- 【Leak-Proof Construction】: Featuring a 16 oz capacity and a leak-proof durable gasket, our Humming birds Feeders for outside prevent nectar from spilling, even when the feeder is jostled by wind or birds landing on it.
- 【Easy to Clean & Refill】: Our hummingbird feeder is equipped with a wide-mouth bottle design, enabling effortless cleaning and refilling, providing a practical choice for daily use. The transparent glass bottle allows for convenient monitoring of the nectar level, facilitating timely refills to ensure a continuous food source for your avian companions.
- 【Steady & Durable Material】: Crafted with a high-quality glass nectar container in an attractive shape, the glass humming bird feeder can accommodate multiple hummingbirds, and ensure long-lasting use in outdoor conditions all year round.
- 【Perfect Gifts for Your Family & Friends】: The Unique bee proof hummingbird gifts for women. A gift for bird lovers, gardeners and grandparents who have it all. Pretty glass hummingbird feeder gifts for Anniversary, Birthday, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- CROWN HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER: This stunning hummingbird feeder features a unique "CROWN" design. With 5 feeding ports, it allows hummingbirds to feed peacefully, creating a beautiful and elegant addition to your yard and enhancing the overall aesthetic of your garden
- LEAKPROOF RESERVOIR: This outdoor hummingbird feeder is equipped with a built-in silicone ring that tightly seals the reservoir, effectively preventing leaks and ensuring a clean and reliable hummingbird feeders
- ANT & BEE-PROOF: The top of the hummingbird feeder is designed with an ant moat to keep ants away. The 3.2mm feeding port holes effectively protect the nectar from bees, ensuring that only hummingbirds can enjoy it
- EASY TO CLEAN & REFILL: Crafted from premium polycarbonate material, the classic design features a transparent bottle, allowing you to easily monitor the nectar levels. The 3-layer threaded bottle opening makes it simple to open and clean (NOT DISHWASHER SAFE)
- 2 HANGING METHODS: The Birdream hummingbird feeder for outdoors comes with both an S-shaped hook and a ring rope, offering flexibility for various hanging scenarios. This makes installation easier and more convenient, wherever you choose to place it
- ACCOMMODATES MULTIPLE BIRDS: Each humming bird feeder features four flower-shaped ports with comfortable perches, allowing several birds to feed simultaneously at each of your hummingbirds feeders
- BUILT-IN ANT MOAT: This hummingbird feeder includes an integrated ant moat; fill the ant moat with water to keep ants away from the nectar
- WIDE-MOUTH BOTTLE: The wide-mouth bottle design of this hummingbird feeder glass is designed for easy filling
- EASY TO CLEAN: This outdoor bird feeder fully disassembles so that you can thoroughly clean the ant moat, base, bottle, and bee guards to keep your hummingbird feeders for outdoors clean
- 8 OZ CAPACITY: This hummingbird feeder with perch has an 8 oz nectar capacity
- 【UPGRADE VERSION Leak-proof Lid】: This high view perch hummingbird feeder for outdoor hanging is 9.4 inch high, 8.2 inch wide. 16 oz capacity offers adequate nectar supplement for hummingbirds. The bright red color can attract hummingbirds to your backyard. There are 5 flower-shaped feeding ports and perches arranged in a circular manner for several birds to feed at the same time.
- Easy to Fill & Clean: You can lift off the red plastic cover and fill the nectar or water into the bottom even when the feeder is hanging. The bottom of the feeder is clear, so it is easy to monitor levels and cleanliness. With round and flat dish design, it’s simple to disassemble and reassemble to thoroughly clean all surfaces.
- Leak-proof: You do not need to turn it upside down, and there are no submerged joints to leak. The lid drops on well above the liquid level, so there’s no pressure difference. The liquid will remain intact in the container even in the hot summer.
- Attractive Color: The red color such like flowers which make the bird feeders easier to catch wild birds’ eyes. The 5 flower feeding ports are designed based on nature, which makes it more attractive for hummingbirds. Especially the red color, it seems to be a road sign for hummingbirds.
- About Us: FEED GARDEN provides quality products and efficient after-sales service. If you're not satisfied with the Hummingbird Feeders, please contact us, we will provide you with a solution as soon as possible.
- 🐦️ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS: These humming birds feeders for outside design with vibrant colors and intricate details, made of a high-quality nectar glass container in a nice retro-style ball shape, ensuring longevity and durability compared to plastic counterparts. Ensuring long-lasting use in outdoor conditions throughout the year and never fading. 5 flower shaped feeding ports, 26 oz capacity with 5 feeding stations, and perch in a circle to accommodate multiple hummingbirds.
- 🪽EASY TO REFILL AND CLEAN: The super wide-mouth bottle design is easy to fill and clean, The whole glass hummingbird feeder could be disassembled smoothly for easy cleaning. With a clear bottle, you can easily monitor the hummingbird nectar level and refill it promptly, ensuring a steady supply for your feathered friends.
- 💧LEAKPROOF FUNCTION: Built-in durable gasket, unique design makes base connection proper and seamless, even when the hummingbird feeders for outdoors hanging are shaken by wind or birds perching on it. After filling the container and screwing it onto the base, flip it over and hang it on a tree/deck hook/shepherd's hook/hangers/window hook.
- 🩷HEARTWARMING HUMMINGBIRD GIFTS: This beautifully designed glass hummingbird feeder with perch for outdoors is the perfect bird watching gifts for women, grandparents, wife, daughters, sister, aunts, or friends on special days, for example, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Mother's Day, birthdays, anniversaries and so on.
- 🌟AVAILABLE IN ALL SEASONS: This hanging bird feeder is a breeze to hang and reposition, durable for year-round use. Making it the perfect decor for outdoors, outside, patio, garden, deck, backyard, front porches, even bedrooms, etc.
- Unique Gifts: Great choice as gift for your parents, friends, neighbors and loved ones. Bird watching gifts for people who love birds and gardening. Gifts for Anniversary, Birthday, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
- Attractive Design: Each hummingbird feeder is handmade with thick, durable glass that's sure to attract hummingbirds with its bright blue colors. Small bubbles on the glass surface are normal and add to the unique charm of each feeder
- Large Nectar Capacity: Glass hummingbird feeder with a generous 22 oz nectar capacity, no need to refill frequently. Equipped with an ant moat hook, prevent ants from invading the nectar
- Leak Proof Construction: Premium metal cap and plastic base with leak proof edge, no worries about messy spills or wasted nectar
- Easy to Fill and Clean: Simply unscrew the bottle from the base for filling and cleaning. To ensure hummingbird feeder stays clean and well-maintained, we recommend hand washing with warm soapy water
- Fill In One Step: With round and flat dish design, this wide mouth saucer hummingbird feeders is easy to clean and fill, just lift off the red cover to fill nectar or water. The bottom is clear enough to monitor levels and cleanliness
- Attract Humming birds: The whole top cover of the feeder have adequate red color to be attractive to the hummingbird even from a distance
- Nectar Guard Hummingbird Feeders 2 Pack: Add water into the centered hole, the nectar can be well protected
- Leak-Proof: Unlike cylinder feeders, our feeder do not exit pressure difference, so this hummingbird feeders for outdoors is leak-proof
- Cleaning Routine: It is advised to clean this saucer feeder at least once a week. If the weather is warm, you can clean the feeder more frequently
- Hummingbirds are attracted to the color of your feeder, not the color of the food
- Naturally clear hummingbird nectar formula not only attract hummingbirds, but also nourish & hydrate
- Ready to use. Do not add sugar or water
- Shake well before use and refrigerate after opening
- Clean your hummingbird feeder prior to filling for best results
- 【2025 New Design】: This Shirem hummingbird feeder features the latest 2025 design, specifically crafted for outdoor use. It is not only stylish but also highly effective in attracting hummingbirds.
- 【Ant-Proof Moat】: Equipped with a unique ant moat, it effectively prevents ants and other insects from accessing the feeder, ensuring hummingbirds can enjoy fresh nectar undisturbed.
- 【Easy Outdoor Hanging】: Comes with a sturdy hook for easy hanging in gardens, balconies, or trees, making it suitable for various outdoor settings and adding vibrancy to your space.
- 【Easy to Clean】: The feeder features a detachable design, allowing for thorough cleaning to ensure hummingbirds always have access to clean and hygienic nectar, while also extending the feeder's lifespan.
- 【Durable Material】: Made from high-quality, weather-resistant materials, it withstands various outdoor conditions, ensuring long-lasting use without fading or deformation. It’s the perfect choice for hummingbird enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are adorable and fascinating, and having them in your garden or yard will make it look colorful. You will also love the humming sound, particularly when you have plenty of them around.
It may take some time for these birds to find the feeder, and when they eventually do, you may not notice their presence on time, but they will keep coming back, and you will soon have a garden filled with these adorable creatures.