Hummingbirds like flower nectar. They pollinate between blossoms, so more flora is better. Project FeederWatch head Emma Greig of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology advises bee balm (Monarda) and cardinal flowers.
Go flower forward
Trees and shrubs are essential for hummingbird nesting and roosting to be safe, private, and above ground. Birds build cuplike nests on branches with lichen, plant downs and fibers, twigs, and spiderwebs.
Don’t forget trees and shrubs
Greig believes native flowers attract insects, which foster native birds. Not sure what to plant? People can search by Zip code in Audubon's Native Plants Database to find hummingbird-friendly plants and where to acquire them.
Embrace native plants
Sheri L. Williamson, writer of A Palmer Field Guide to Hummingbirds of North America, thinks pesticides are the biggest threat to hummingbirds. Hummingbird urine and excrement contain dangerous pesticide amounts.
Nix pesticides
Hummingbirds adore nectar. Besides planting lots of flowers, gardeners can prepare a simple replacement by mixing 4 parts boiling water with 1 part sugar. Cool the sweet solution before adding it to the feeder.
Give the little guys a big sugar rush
There are various feeders on the market, but only two are important: You must be able to see into the nectar area and the feeder must be easy to clean.
Get a good feeder
Although counterintuitive, Williamson adds “the closer you put your feeder to the window, the safer it is for birds.” This way, if they get spooked off a feeder or see a hawk swooping by, they won't hit the window as fast, so they won't damage themselves.
Put the feeder close to a window
Birds can damage themselves, become vulnerable to predators, or die when they hit windows. To alert birds to windows, use clings, stickers, or decals.
Help them see the windows