What food do Hummingbirds eat?

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures known for their speed and agility. These tiny birds are also known for their high metabolism, which means they need to eat frequently to survive. But what do hummingbirds eat? In this blog post, we will explore the different types of food that hummingbirds eat and provide some tips on how you can attract them to your garden.

What Do Hummingbirds Eat？

As we all know, hummingbirds drink sugar water, but what else do hummingbirds eat? Let's know more about it!

1. Hummingbird Nectar

Nectar, either from suitable flowers or sugar water solutions, is the most abundant and popular source of hummingbird food.
In nature, Hummingbirds mainly feed on nectar from flowering plants. They will be attracted to the brightly colored flowers that have a sweet fragrance and produce a lot of nectar. Like bee balm, salvia, cardinal flower, and petunias. These flowers have long tubular shapes that are perfect for hummingbirds to reach their long bills inside. But daily, people will feed them with sugar water as a solution.

2. Sap

When nectar is scarce, hummingbirds will sip tree sap from wells drilled by woodpeckers. While the tree sap is not as sweet as floral nectar, it still provides an adequate source of sucrose for a hummingbird’s energy needs.

3. Insects

Based on some studies, suggests that an adult hummingbird must eat several dozen insects each day to keep enough protein for a healthy diet. They will eat many more if they are in the midst of hatching or a long migration.

4. Fruit Juice/Fruit Jelly

Fruit juice/jelly is also a food for hummingbirds. Certain ripe or juicy fruits may attract hummingbirds. They especially like fruits that are high in sugar content, such as ripe bananas, oranges, grapes, and melons. However, it's important to note that fruits should only be offered as a supplement to the bird's diet, as too much fruit can cause digestive problems.

hummingbird feeder food fruit

How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Backyard?

Based on the hummingbirds' diet and features, here are some tips that can help you to attract hummingbirds to your backyard or garden.

1. Provide Safe Spaces

If you want to feed the birds in nature, keeping your garden in a safe place is the key point! It means, keeping cats indoors and ensuring bird feeders are positioned away from areas where predators might lurk.

2. Use Red Colors

Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. Consider hanging red ribbons or using red feeders. In fact, you can find there are all selling red hummingbird feeders on the market. Like Birdfy hummee extension, red flowers attract these birds.

birdfy hummee bird feeder

3. Fill Hanging Feeders with Nectar

Attract hummingbirds by filling a feeder with nectar. Using sugar water can work.

Here's a step-by-step guide to making sugar water with sugar and water

  1. Boil the water to kill any bacteria or mold present.
  2. Remove the water from the heat and add the sugar (4 parts water and one-part white granulated sugar).
  3. Stir until the sugar completely dissolves.
  4. Allow the mixture to cool before filling the feeder.
  5. Any leftover nectar can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Important Tips:

  • Do not use honey, brown sugar, or artificial sweeteners as these can be harmful to hummingbirds.
  • Avoid adding red dye to the mixture. While hummingbirds are attracted to red, the dye is unnecessary and may be harmful to the birds.
  • Clean your hummingbird feeders regularly to prevent mold and bacterial growth.

4. Provide a Water Source

Like other birds, hummingbirds need fresh water for drinking and bathing. A shallow dish of clean water or a bird bath can help attract these birds.

5. Plant Hummingbird-Friendly Plants

If there is a condition, you can plant hummingbird-friendly plants in your backyard to make it more attractive. Like, have brightly colored, tubular, scentless flowers. Some great examples include trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm, and hummingbird sage.

In Conclusion

Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures, many bird lovers love them. Birdfy feeder cameras can also be a great gift for hummingbird lovers who love watching those little creatures. If you want to attract them to your backyard bird feeders, please make sure you know what they eat and what to do to attract them well.

birdfy hummingbird feeder set

And if you want to know and watch them when they visit your feeders, you can use the bird feeder with cameras! Birdfy feeder cameras can notify you when the bird comes via sending you notifications. Then you can watch them via the application. Sound great, right? Go and get it for your birdwatching!

 

 

July 27, 2023 — Support Customer
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