Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Hummingbirds

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Three Weeks for Dreamwidth runs April 25-May 15. This year, I'll be posting about birds in honor of birdfeeding. Today's topic is Hummingbirds.




Hummingbirds belong to the family Trochilidae, with 366 species in 113 genera. Of these, 28 are endangered and many more are vulnerable or declining. Most species live primarily in Central and South America, although the edges of the family's range go from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego. About 20 species of hummingbirds live in North America.

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Hummingbirds North America (20 Species ID, Photos)

Summertime in the United States of Hummingbirds


These birds have unusual features that fit them to their niche as avian pollinators. They are all tiny with fast metabolisms suited to digesting sugary nectar. They eat tiny insects for fat and protein. Hummingbirds take their name from the buzz of their small wings, beating so rapidly that they can hover or move in any direction. This helps them avoid predators, but means they need a guaranteed food supply. They have sensitive vision and a huge variety of jeweled plumage. They are attracted to tubular flowers, especially red ones. Long beaks enable them to reach deeply hidden nectar. Some species are adapted to high altitudes or long migrations.

Because they eat nectar, hummingbirds need special feeders with specific features. Many are plastic, but glass is easier to clean. The color red attracts them. You can buy or make nectar solution. It's best to avoid brands that add food coloring. Put the color on the birdfeeder, not in the bird food. You can also garden to attract small insects for your hummers to eat.

This type of feeder has many feeding ports, useful because hummingbirds visit each flower only once. So each bird will tap each port on the feeder, then leave. The page also has numerous tips about how to attract hummingbirds.

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Hummingbird Nectar Recipe: Best Ratio & Tips

Hummingbird Products

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What do hummingbirds eat? (It's not just nectar!)


Other birds attracted to hummingbird feeders include orioles, tanagers, catbirds, and woodpeckers. You may even see escaped or naturalized pet birds such as parrots! If you see orioles, offer them their own feeder which can be a nectar feeder with perch, jelly feeder, or fruit feeder. Interestingly, hummingbirds like the color red while orioles prefer orange. An advantage of fruit feeders is that they also attract fruit flies and other tiny insects that hummingbirds like to eat.

16 Birds That Drink Nectar

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The Audubon Guide to Attracting Hummingbirds and Orioles

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Nectarivores

Other Birds That Visit Hummingbird Feeders


Since hummingbirds are tiny, they have a hard time drinking from the usual water sources. Instead, attach a mister or dripper to your birdbath. Hummers also like to drink from dewdrops. Offer plants that collect water droplets in their leaves, like lady's mantle or cup plant.

Attracting Hummingbirds With Water

Drippers, Misters & Wigglers

How to Choose the Best Bird Bath for Hummingbirds


Unlike many songbirds, hummingbirds are not cavity nesters, so they do not use standard birdhouses. Instead they build tiny cup-shaped nests attached to trees or bushes. They use materials like plant fluff and spiderwebs to create the nest. Hummers look for a sheltered place, preferably with a fork. Therefore, their "birdhouses" are either shallow cup bases or forks that you can attach to a bush or a building.

All About Hummingbird Nests - The Spruce

All About Hummingbird Nests (Nest Facts: 12 Species)

Attract Nesting Hummingbirds - The Spruce

How Hummingbirds Use Spider Silk to Build Better Nests

How to Attract Spiders to Your Garden - Treehugger

How to Make a Hummingbird House (A Step-by-Step Guide)

How To Setup Hummingbird Houses

Hummer Helper Nesting Material

Hummingbird House

Hummingbird Nesting Help

Hummingbird Nesting Pods

Nesting material for hummingbirds


Hummingbirds are attracted to many features of a wildlife garden. They like dense bushes to hide in. They feed from flowers, especially red tubular ones. The best way to attract them is to provide many native plants that offer shelter, bloom in hot colors, and support insects. You can also buy hummingbird seed mixes or plant collections.

27 Gorgeous Plants That Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden

Butterfly & Hummingbird Wildflower Seed Mix

Designing A Hummingbird Garden: 15 Ways to Keep Them Coming

Hummingbird Designer Garden

Hummingbird Garden Heirloom Seed Collection

Hummingbird Heroes Plant Collections

Hummingbird Mix - Territorial Seed

Hummingbird Plant Lists

Hummingbirds: What to grow to encourage them to nest in your garden

Mix NS-BH1 - Northern Butterfly and Hummingbird Mix

Mix SS-BH1 - Southern Butterfly and Hummingbird Mix

Western Hummingbird Wildflower Seed Mix