Simple Tips to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard

(Family Features) Throughout the warmer months, many
backyards play host to a variety of birds, including hummingbirds.
When you see flowers and trees begin to bud and bloom and other
migrating birds, like warblers, that’s nature’s way of letting you
know it’s time to ready your yard for hummingbirds.
It’s enchanting watching hummingbirds – named for the humming
sound of their fast-flapping wings – as their tiny size and speed
make them natural wonders. Hummingbirds can fly 25-30 miles
per hour, flapping their wings an estimated 70 times per second.
They fly in every direction, even backwards, which only hummers
can do, and float majestically in midair.
The birds get their brilliant color from the iridescence in the
arrangement of their feathers, not color pigment. Plus, they have
the fastest metabolism of any animal on Earth, burning 1-2 times
their body weight in food daily. Hummingbirds draw nectar from
its source into their mouths, lapping it up almost 12 times per
second.
To increase your chances of observing these petite powerhouses
at home, consider these tips from the experts at Cole’s Wild Bird
Products:
Be conscious of beneficial insects. Hummingbirds rely on insects,

which provide essential protein, to complement the nectar they
crave. To attract insects, try placing rotting fruit near feeders and
leave it until insects arrive for hummers’ easy eats.
Leave spiderwebs alone: Hummingbirds use spiderwebs as
construction material to hold their nests together and pluck
insects caught in the webbing.
Offer a water mister: Hummingbirds adore bathing; a mister gives
them the fine spray they prefer. Once soaked, they’re off to find a
preening perch.
Provide tiny perches. Leave small, sturdy, bare branches for
hummingbirds, to perch on for rest, preening and hunting.
Perches provide vantage points to see danger and launching pads
to swiftly pounce on insects. Once hummingbirds find a favorite
perch, they’ll use it repeatedly.
Hang hummingbird feeders first. Feeders are one of the most
effective ways to consistently entice and encourage hummingbirds
to come visit. However, not all feeders are created equal. For
example, Cole’s Hummer High Rise Feeder is scientifically
designed with elevated perches to make hummingbirds feel safe
and comfortable, which encourages their consistent return.

Although hummingbird feeders can attract bees and ants, this
feeder is uniquely designed to keep pests at bay. It doesn’t drip,
so large bees can’t get to the nectar, plus it has a built-in ant moat
to keep ants away from nectar when filled with plain water. Since
birds drink from the moat, never use any repellents or additives.
Hummingbirds are territorial and not likely to share feeders, so
hang multiple feeders far enough apart to attract more birds. To
ensure a steady stream of birds, hang feeders in the shade to avoid
fermentation of sugar-based liquids, check feeders bi-weekly to
keep food fresh and clean feeders as needed with one part white
vinegar to four parts water.
Plant flowers. Trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm and sage plants are
particularly attractive to hummingbirds and provide rich nectar.
Hummingbirds consume 1 1/2 times their body weight daily,
eating every 10-15 minutes and visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers per
day.
Choose the right nectar. Not all nectar is alike, and hummingbirds
can taste the difference. Almost all commercial nectars contain one
sugar source – sucrose – because it’s cheaper to make. However,
real flower nectar contains three sugar sources – sucrose, fructose
and glucose – in varying amounts depending on the flower.
Researched and designed to attract the greatest variety of

hummingbirds, Cole’s Nature’s Garden is a high energy, nutrient-
rich nectar that combines all three types of organically sourced

sugars North American hummingbirds love, with a spring water
base. It closely mimics the sugar ratios they favor and provides a
healthier, nutritious, all-natural alternative to table sugar.
Don’t forget, hummingbirds have memories like elephants;
once they discover your hummer-friendly habitat, they’ll come
back every year if there’s a reliable food source. Learn more at
coleswildbird.com.