Simple ways to create a garden that's irresistible to these tiny birds

Hummingbirds have captured our imaginations as no other flyers have with their lively chirp, stunning agility and brilliant colors. Best of all, most every gardener in North America can expect to play host to at least one hummingbird from late March through September. Because these birds typically feed three to five times per hour, they are easy to attract with flowering plants or strategically placed feeders.

Found only in the Americas, the hummingbird family includes 16 species specific to North America, out of a total of 383 species. These lightweight, relatively small, and high-metabolism birds feed on insects and flower nectar. They are among the most acrobatic of fliers; strong wing muscles and the ability to beat their wings nearly 80 times per second permit them to fly forward, backward, and upside down; to hover or zoom along at high speed; and to stop on a dime. Because their legs are comparatively underdeveloped, hummers must fly even short distances.

Gardeners are most likely to see a hummingbird hovering near a flower, inserting its needlelike bill and extending its tongue to draw nectar from deep inside the flower. All this activity requires a lot of energy in the form of sucrose, which is precisely what the birds get from nectar. Hummingbirds' lives depend on finding this high-energy fuel almost constantly, which is part of the reason they are so easily attracted to flowers and feeders.

To attract returning migratory hummers in spring, put out feeders and select flowering plants that will bloom in time to appeal to early arrivals, usually males that migrate northward several weeks before females and juveniles. To learn when to expect hummers in your area, check migration maps.

Natural Attraction: Flowers

Among popular hummingbird plants are single varieties of trumpet creeper, impatiens, bee balm, and lupine. Native plants are preferable, but many hummer enthusiasts swear by exotics such as single varieties of fuchsia, as well as lantana and red-hot poker.

Plan a garden that is in bloom for as long as possible. To find the best early- and late-blooming species for your area, consult a regional gardening guide, or ask a nursery. Successful gardens feature a mix of annuals and perennials as well as vines, shrubs, and trees with nectar-producing flowers.

Consistent Alternative: Feeders

Making a Nectar Solution

Nectar Don'ts

• Don't use anything but white sugar; never use molasses, honey, sugar substitutes, powdered, or brown sugar.
• Don't increase the proportion of sugar; more sugar is not better for the birds' digestive systems.
• Don't add red coloring to nectar. There is debate about the ill effects of the coloring. If your feeder lacks red parts, tie a red ribbon to it.
• Don't add any so-called nutrients to the mixture; these may promote the growth of fungi and bacteria. Hummingbirds get protein from insects.

Location, Location, Location

Place your feeder where you can see and enjoy it. Once the birds find the feeder, they won't be shy about visiting, even if you are nearby. In the hottest months, hang the feeder in a shaded spot to keep the nectar from spoiling rapidly.

Wash the feeder each time you refill it. Scrub feeders occasionally with a brush, after a soaking in a mild bleach-water mixture (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), which kills any bacteria in the feeder.

Now you're ready to enjoy hummingbirds all season. As days get shorter and hummers begin their winter migration, it's important to keep feeders clean and well supplied. Take the feeders down when you don't see any birds for a week or two.