From their rapid flight to their high-energy needs, hummingbirds are among nature’s most fascinating creatures. It’s no wonder that hummingbird feeders are a common sight in Texas yards and gardens, from Texarkana to El Paso and Amarillo to Weslaco.
Experts from the and The Gardens at Texas A&M University say if you want to feed hummingbirds, it’s important to do so safely and responsibly. They shared what Texans should know about feeding hummingbirds, supporting their migration and creating bird-friendly habitats.
Why hummingbirds need extra care
“Hummingbirds can buzz around as fast as 40 mph from flower to flower and have the highest energy output per unit of body weight of any animal in the world,” said Mike Arnold, Ph.D., professor and director of The Gardens, Bryan-College Station.
“They are the smallest birds but need an incredible amount of energy, which means an incredible amount of nectar — or nectar substitute — to keep up with their caloric demands.”
Tips for using and maintaining feeders
Worldwide, there are more than 300 species of hummingbirds. However, only around 18 species are found regularly in the U.S., with nine common in Texas. Most Texans start seeing the birds around March.
Hummingbird feeders can be kept out year-round in Texas in the appropriate regions — as long as they are properly maintained, said Emily Grant, AgriLife Extension Birding with Extension program coordinator.
Birds need extra nutrients during migration in spring and summer. Therefore, these seasons are crucial for providing reliable food sources.
Grant recommends five tips for taking care of your hummingbird feeders year-round:
- Put feeders out ideally two weeks before hummingbirds are expected to arrive in your area.
- Clean feeders and replace food every two to four days to prevent black mold that can make birds sick. Clean them more often if they are in direct sunlight and in humid climates.
- Offer only as much nectar as hummingbirds will drink in a few days.
- Place multiple feeders in different areas of your yard to reduce territorial behavior.
- Choose feeders with ant moats, bee guards, bright colors and clear nectar containers for best results.
Hummingbird feeder recipe
You can make homemade nectar by mixing four parts of boiled water with one part of white, granulated table sugar. Let the mixture cool before pouring it into your feeder. For larger batches, store the mixture in a refrigerator for one to two weeks.
Although red and other bright hues attract hummingbirds, do not add color to your nectar. Using a feeder with red on it is better and safer than using dye and additives. You can also paint the feeder pole or hanger to make it even more eye-catching to the birds.
Arnold added that nectar isn’t a substitute for water for hummingbirds. Fresh water in a shallow container or a bubbling bird bath are ideal ways to let them drink and bathe.
How to attract hummingbirds with flowers
To attract hummingbirds with flowers, Arnold suggests keeping the shape of blooms and how these birds feed in mind.
His tips for creating a hummingbird-friendly garden:
- Choose tube-shaped flowers that match the way hummingbirds feed with their long, specialized beaks.
- Plant hummingbird-friendly plants like firebush, Turk’s cap, lantana, petunia and pride of Barbados.
- Stagger bloom times to ensure a continuous nectar supply from March through fall, ideally.
- Use feeders when there aren’t enough flowers in bloom to provide nectar.
Migration patterns in Texas
While some hummingbirds will stay year-round in parts of Texas, others will migrate south to spend the fall and winter months in a warmer climate.
“Simply put, some hummingbirds migrate, and some don’t,” Arnold said. “Depending on the part of the state you live in, you can have birds year-round.”
Grant suggested Texans check eBird.org to keep track of typical migratory patterns and sightings and learn more about hummingbirds in your region.
More birding resources
“Keeping feeders clean, filled and well-maintained takes time and consistency,” Grant said. “If that’s more commitment than you’re ready for, consider doing a landscape design that’s best for your birds instead.”
To learn about landscaping to attract birds, explore the Birding with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program. The program will cover this topic in its fall virtual birding seminar. The program also offers in-person workshops, online events and regular Wednesday morning chats on its Facebook page for people looking to become more involved in birding.
