Volume 10 , Issue 11

Debbie's Tips - Attracting Hummingbirds

Nectar Recipe... "I have found that this is the best recipe for making your own nectar--I feel the birds prefer it over the various instant mixes.

• 1 Part Sugar
• 4 Parts Water
• Boil 1-2 Minutes
• Cool & Store In Refrigerator

"Never use honey or artificial sweeteners! Honey ferments easily, and can cause sores in a hummers mouth. Artificial sweeteners have no food value. DO NOT use red food coloring in your solution, as this could be harmful to your hummers. No testing has been done on the effects dye has on birds. Most feeders have red on them and that should be enough.

"The following is a list of flowers, shrubs, vines, and trees that hummingbirds are attracted to. Note: none of these need to be red in color, although the color red is attractive to hummingbirds. If in doubt as to whether any of the following will flourish in your area, please check with your local nursery.

Flowers: Cardinal Flower Lobelia cardinalis, Lantana Lantana camara, Columbine Aguilegia spp, Fuchsias Fuchsia spp, Impatiens Impatiens spp., Coral-Bells Heuchera sanguinea, Hollyhocks Althea spp., Penstemen Penstemen spp., Petunia Petunia spp., Flowering Tobacco Nicotania alata, Geranium Pelargonium spp., Begonia Begonia spp.

Shrubs: Azaleas Rhododendron spp., Butterfly Bush Buddleia davidii, Flowering Quince Chaenomeles japonica, Honeysuckle Lonicera spp., Weigela Weigela spp.

Trees: Flowering Crab Malus spp., Tulip Poplar Liriodendron Tulipifera, Locust Robinia, Eucalyptus Eucalyptus spp., Vines Honeysuckle Lonicera heckrottii, Morning Glory Ipomea ssp., Trumpet Creeper Campsis radicans, Trumpet Honeysuckle Lonicera sempervirens.

When To Put Up A Feeder... Most Hummingbirds are migrant, and visit North America in the warmer seasons. Feeders should be put up in time for their arrival. This will vary greatly depending upon where you are located. In the Florida area they arrive as early as January, and in the Upper Great Lakes they arrive in May. It is important to know the average date they arrive in your specific area to get your feeder up 5-10 days before the average date so they will see your feeder up and take a drink, and possibly stay for the season in your backyard!" -- Debbie's Tips
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