By Lou Ann Harris
We can all agree on how magical and beautiful hummingbirds are. Southwest Montana hosts several species including Calliope, Rufous and Broad-tailed. Hummingbirds require perches, flowers, water & insects to survive and thrive. Maintaining their high-metabolism lifestyle means they must eat every 10 to 15 minutes and visit between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers per day! Hummingbirds also need protein from pollen and insects.
Here are tips for inviting hummingbirds to your yard:
Plants
- Plant a variety of nectar-rich plants – Dropmore Honeysuckle, Bee Balm, Firecracker Penstemon, Golden Currant, Blue Salvia, Delphinium, Giant Hyssop
- Use native plants. They support a greater concentration of insects and spiders, which are an important hummingbird food source.
- Group similar plants together and choose species with different blooming times, so there will be a steady supply of flowers from spring to fall.
Feeders
- Hang a nectar feeder – place near the flowers, preferably in the shade. Change the sugar water regularly, before it gets cloudy. Clean with a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water once per week. Rinse thoroughly before refilling.
- Easy nectar recipe – 1 part granulated white sugar, 4 parts boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Never use honey, artificial sweeteners or red dye.
Water
- Add a water feature like a fountain, or a mister. Hummingbirds love to bathe!
Remember To:
- Avoid pesticides.
- Keep cats inside – they like to catch hummingbirds.
- Encourage your neighbors to make their yards hummingbird-friendly.
- Calliope Hummingbirds typically start showing up around Bozeman the first week of May, so it’s a good idea to put out your feeders a week or so before then.
Source: National Audubon Society, Tucson Audubon Society
Calliope Hummingbird by Skyler Peralta Ramos, Audubon Photography Awards
