Dear Reverend,
I was working in my garden the other day, and a hummingbird flew right by my head. I’d never seen one that close before. I’d like to encourage more to come to my yard, but I’ve heard that it’s a lot of work. Got any tips?
Archie Lochus (man, 35)
Dear Archie Lochus,
I love hummingbirds so much that I got one tattooed on me! They can be rather elusive, but it’s a good sign that you’ve already seen one. Luring them in takes a bit of effort, but the payoff is fantastic. Nothing beats watching those little gems buzzing around.
You may want to try a hummingbird feeder. I’d recommend choosing one made of glass because it’s easier to clean and the plastic variety can degrade over time. Hummers are attracted to the color red, so pick one that features that color prominently.
It’s good to place the feeder in a shady spot near a tree or bush, but just about any low-traffic place will do. Hummingbirds are extremely territorial, so if you get more than one feeder, be sure to space them far apart to discourage fighting.
Many stores sell hummingbird nectar, but you can easily make it yourself for pennies. The tried-and-true recipe is one part sugar to four parts water. You must only use granulated white sugar. No honey, powdered sugar, sugar in the raw or any other sweetener — and never add red food coloring. Bring the water to a boil and stir in the sugar until it’s dissolved. Make sure to let it completely cool down before filling the feeder because you don’t want the hummers to burn their tongues.
It’s of utmost importance to keep the feeders clean and the nectar fresh. In cooler weather, changing it every three or four days is fine, but in the heat of summer, every other day is best. You can’t let the nectar go bad or have any mold in the feeders because that can really hurt the birds. Every time you change the nectar, give the feeder a good cleaning. A bottle brush or pipe cleaners come in handy for that.
If you don’t think you’ll be able to maintain a feeder properly, don’t put one up. A neglected hummingbird feeder can do way more harm than good.
You can also add plants to your yard that provide hummingbirds with natural sources of food. They love trumpet-shaped flowers in red, orange and pink. Native flowers such as bee balm, columbine and orange jewelweed are great choices. You can find out loads more information on feeders and flowers at hummingbirdcentral.com.
Good luck and God bless,
The Reverend
This article appears in May 14-20, 2025.
