Hummingbirds are wonderful birds to attract to your yard or garden.  There are different methods to attract hummingbirds that can help to bring them to your feeder.  The fascination that we have for these small beautiful birds is seen throughout spoken history.  There are many Native American tribes that have stories about hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are delightful to watch.  There are several reasons for our fascination with these birds. Hummingbirds are such tiny little creatures, and the swiftness of their wings is amazing in and of itself.   

Nectar for Hummingbirds

A great many people want to draw these beautiful tiny birds to their home.  One of the best ways to do this is by feeding them.  Hummingbirds love nectar and it is easy to make.  To make hummingbird food use 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.  An example would be 1 cup of sugar added to 4 cups of water.  Mix well and place in feeders where you want to see the hummingbirds.  Never mix coloring with the nectar, as this is not good for the birds.  Once the ingredients have been mixed heat them on the stove until the sugar is dissolved in the water.  Let cool completely before placing in a hummingbird feeder.  You should never use honey, artificial sweeteners, or food coloring when making nectar.  These may be harmful to the birds.  The nectar for the hummingbirds should be changed about every four days. Change it more often if you see problems such as mold.  Always clean the nectar well from the feeders before replacing with new nectar.

Other Foods for Hummingbirds

These birds need more than nectar to survive.  Hummingbirds eat flies to get the protein that is necessary for their health.  They catch the flies with their curved beaks in the air.  They do this while hovering in one spot.  Flowers are another item that these birds love.  You can grow a hummingbird garden to attract them to your home.  The types of flowers that are best for your hummingbird garden are ones that have vibrant colors.  They seem to love these best.  Examples are trumpet vines, honeysuckles, delphiniums, and many more.  The best way to determine the flowers that you want to use in your hummingbird garden is to check with local bird groups or the Audubon Society for the flowers that will grow best in your area and climate.  Hummingbirds love to hover over these flowers and draw the nectar from them.  Be sure to place some benches in the garden so that you may enjoy watching them feed.

A lot of people have a fascination for small creatures and the hummingbird is one of nature’s great treasures.  In the past these birds were prized and hunted for their feathers.  Hummingbirds are protected today but their habitats are not.  Pollution, destruction of their natural habitat, pesticides and poisons are taking their toll on these beautiful birds. By feeding them you are also helping these birds.  It is everyone’s responsibility to continue their efforts to protect these wonderful birds.

You have learned how to make nectar to feed hummingbirds, but what is the best way to feed them?  All bird feeders are not created the same and hummingbird feeders are special types that are specifically suited to their feeding habits.  If the hummingbird cannot reach the nectar they will not come back to feed.  You don’t want other animals eating the nectar either.  These are some of the considerations that should be made when deciding on the style of feeder that you want to use.

Types of Hummingbird Feeders

With the many types of bird feeders on the market today it is not difficult to find a feeder that is made specifically for the hummingbird.  When buying a feeder, remember that hummingbirds love bright colors, especially the color red.  Hummingbird feeders should be made to hold the nectar in a way that the hummingbird can get to the nectar without drawing other insects or unwanted creatures.  These feeders come in a wide range of prices and are easily affordable by all.  Feeders can be made from different types of material.  Most often they are made of plastic, wood, and glass.  Plastic feeders are usually easy to care for, but they do tend to fade with time.  Wooden feeders are beautiful and provide a pleasant feel to your garden or anywhere that you decide to place them.  Wooden feeders require extra care and are a little harder to clean but are worth the effort.  Glass feeders can provide some of the brightest colors which hummingbirds love.   These types of feeders are very artistic and provide a different look to the area that you place them in.  They also tend to be somewhat easier to clean than the wooden feeders. 

Hummingbird Feeder Safety

There are a few guidelines specific to hummingbird feeders.  Hummingbird feeders that are not cleaned can cause diseases for these sweet birds.  Feeders should be cleaned each time that you fill them.  Use a vinegar and hot water solution to clean all parts of the feeder.  Rinse the feeder well with clear warm water then let dry before replacing the nectar.  Change the nectar when you start to see it become cloudy.  Some experts recommend changing the nectar every 3 – 7 days.  To keep ants, bees, wasps, and other insects from the feeder use a little mineral oil on the wire to the feeder and on the ports of the feeder.  A word of caution when using the type of feeders that goes on windows!  There have been occasions when hummingbirds have flown into windows that had a dark film on them. If you do decide to hang your feeder outside a window make sure that is has no tint to it.

Each type of feeder has some really good aspects.  Only you can choose the feeder that is right for you and your décor.  Don’t be afraid of having to keep them clean and safe for the hummingbirds.  The joy of having these beautiful birds in your yard or garden far out weighs the job of maintaining the feeders.  Get the bird feeder that is right for you and enjoy!

Bird houses add charm, whimsy, and beauty as well as a place for birds to nest.  It is no wonder that the bird house and bird feeder industry is growing.  There are safety factors to consider when buying or building a bird house.  There are some birds that will use a bird house and others that are not attracted to them. 

Types of Bird Houses

The type of bird house you will use depends on the type of bird or birds that you want to attract to your home.  Bird houses come in many shapes, sizes, colors and materials.  One of the best types of bird houses is the wooden one.  There are several reasons to choose this type of bird house.  Wooden bird houses can breath for ventilation, are durable and have a good insulation quality to them.  Gourds are another good material for bird houses.  They are functional, breathable, and pretty as well.  Properly designed pottery, concrete, and plastic houses will breathe and are also durable. When choosing the bird house that you will use for your feathered friends always check for proper ventilation, drainage, and easy access for maintenance and monitoring.  When considering the type of bird house that you want another thing to think about are safety and maintenance.

Safety and Proper Maintenance

Items to consider once you have chosen the type of bird house that you want are ventilation, drainage, ease of access for maintenance and protection from predators.

You should also make sure that no harmful chemicals where used on the materials used for the building of your bird house.  You would not want your new friends to become sick.  Part of proper maintenance of your new bird house is to check them for unwanted critters, such as fleas, wasp, or flies.  Sometimes mice and others will want to take up residence in your bird house. The main thing to remember if this happens is to remove them.  If insects are the problem, use only pesticides that are not harmful to your feathered friends.  “If wasps are a problem, coat the inside top of the box with bar soap” (US Fish & Wildlife Service “Homes for Birds”).  One of the problems that you may encounter while cleaning the nest and parasites or insects are present, baby birds may also be present.  If one of the baby birds gets out of the nest you can pick it up and put it back where it was.  Birds have a lousy sense of smell and they will not reject the babies because you helped them. 

Don’t let the care and safety be a deterrent in deciding whether you want a bird house or not.  The upkeep and maintenance is part of the joy and can be a wonderful way to learn more about your new birds. You will quickly become a backyard birder with your new bird house or houses. The joy of watching beautiful bird is an immeasurable pleasure.