3 Ways To Create A Hummingbird-Friendly Yard
Posted on: 7 May 2019
Though they're small in size, hummingbirds are beloved by bird watchers and outdoor enthusiasts. They have bright, vividly-colored plumage and a distinct flight pattern that makes them enjoyable to observe. Take note of the following tips to transform your yard into a haven for hummingbirds.
1. Incorporate Hummingbird-Friendly Plants into Your Landscaping
Hummingbirds have a rapid metabolism that requires them to frequently feed. To ensure that hummingbirds have a native food source on your property, incorporate flowering plants that are indigenous to your region into your landscaping.
Look for plants that contain tubular blooms filled with nectar, like honeysuckles or hummingbird sage. The tubular design of these blooms is ideal for the hummingbird's long bill, and the nectar in these plants makes it easier for the hummingbird to consume an adequate amount of calories.
You should also add pollen-producing plants to your yard. Though these plants are pollinated by insects rather than hummingbirds, they will attract insect populations that hummingbirds can feed on. Hummingbirds feed on insects for essential protein to supplement their nectar consumption.
If possible, add flowering plants that bloom throughout various seasons of the year. This will help ensure that your hummingbird population has access to food throughout the entire year, attracting them to your yard. Though hummingbirds do migrate, you might have hummingbirds that get lost or decide to return early.
2. Add a Hummingbird Feeder to Your Yard
In addition to flowering plants, a hummingbird feeder is an excellent addition to your yard. Not only does it help feed the hummingbirds, but it gives you the chance for up-close observation of this unique species. Consider spreading a few feeders throughout the yard; this will give multiple hummingbirds the chance to feed without allowing one bird to dominate all of the feeders.
3. Avoid Using Pesticides Around Your Hummingbird Feeders
The sweet nectar in hummingbird feeds is known to attract insects, like ants. Some well-meaning wildlife enthusiasts spray pesticides around their hummingbird feeders to discourage ants and wasps from the feeders. Avoid doing this, as even small amounts of pesticides can be harmful to juvenile hummingbirds. Instead, opt for an ant-proof feeder designed to discourage insects from feeding on the nectar. These feeders incorporate a water barrier that ants and other crawling insects are unable to cross.
Try to use pesticides sparingly around your gardens as well. Not only are these pesticides potentially harmful to hummingbirds, but hummingbirds also feed on insects. If you decrease your insect populations, they will lose a valuable food source.
Contact a company like The Hummingbird Feeder for more information.
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