How to Attract and Feed Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are amazing. They can actually hover in the air by quickly flapping their wings. The smallest hummingbirds can flap their wings at over 70 beats per second. The hummingbird is the only bird that can fly backwards. It has been estimated that they can fly over 30 miles per hour.

To get started with your hummingbirds, you should start by putting a hummingbird feeder out in early spring. The precise time to put your feeder out is dependent upon a number of factors including where you live. Hummingbirds feed on nectar. You can buy this nectar premixed at the store, or you can mix up your own formula with a ratio of one part sugar to four parts water.

You should put your feeder in a place that can easily be seen by the birds. Once you have attracted a few birds, you can always move the feeder. As the weather gets hot, you should make sure that your feeder is in a shady area. It is a good idea to keep the feeder clean by washing it every two to three days, and providing fresh nectar or sugar water regularly.

Surprisingly, nectar is a poor source of nutrition. In order to compensate, if hummingbirds get their vitamins and minerals by eating insects and spiders. Hummingbirds also enjoy hummer gardens, because they feed on site on their regular travel routes. If you don't want to have a complete hummer garden, then make sure to have several petunia plants nearby.

Keep in mind that hummingbirds have the highest metabolism of all animals. It has been suggested that this metabolism rate is necessary to support their rapid wing flapping. It is hard to believe that some hummingbirds heart rates are over 1200 beats per minute. They consume more than their own weight in nectar every day. Hummingbirds need to eat regularly because they are only able to store enough food to survive overnight. This is a good reason to continue to supply them with fresh nectar or sugar water.

If you're going to use sugar water, then you should boil the water and then cool it. This can help prevent yeast and bacteria growth.

As the birds fly in for a little nectar, you may notice a small battle being waged between several territorial males. If this becomes too much of a problem, then place several feeders in your yard at least 30 to 35 feet apart. Make sure that each feeder is out of sight of the other. This should solve the problem.

Having a group of hummingbirds flying around your yard can be a quite pleasant experience. Just remember that these little creatures like fresh food, clean feeders, and plenty of flowers.