How to attract hummingbirds and song birds

Posted in Healthy Home & Garden on May 2, 2014.  Last modified on April 30, 2019. Read disclaimer.

• Food
  Many birds that eat insects during most of the year rely on seeds or berries during the winter. Berry producing trees and shrubs are "winter survival" foods for some birds, such as the Eastern bluebird, which do not eat seeds. Seed heads left in flower beds will often attract small birds, as well. Of course, bird feeders attract many birds with black oil sunflower seeds being preferred by most species.
  
  Consider keeping feeders up year around to keep songbirds in the yard. Many will eat insects in addition to the seeds, especially when they are feeding young.
• Water
  Birds need water year-round. Running or dripping water is especially good for attracting them into the landscape. Birds will use shallow water for both drinking and bathing. Small birds often will not use bird baths that are more than 2 inches deep.
• Shelter
  Birds need protection from the elements. Thick evergreen shrubs can be lifesavers for birds, especially during the winter. These shrubs are also used for nesting by many species. Tree cavities are used by a number of birds for nesting. Of course, man-made nest boxes are used by several songbird species for nesting as well as winter roosting.

...and what helps to attract hummingbirds?

• Feeders
  The most popular way to attract hummingbirds is to provide nectar in a feeder... and hummingbirds are attracted to the color red. For this reason, most commercially made hummingbird feeders have red on the feeding tubes, so your nectar does not need to be colored (in fact, the addition of red food coloring to the solution may be harmful to hummingbirds). If needed, stick red tape to feeder openings.
  
  Use a special feed mix, or mix 1 part white granulated sugar with 4 parts boiling water. Dissolve sugar completely and allow to cool. Refrigerate unused portions. Clean feeders weekly with water/vinegar solution.
  
  Avoid using honey solution in feeders, which tends to spoil quickly -- which can be harmful to hummingbirds.
  
  To keep ants and stinging insects from the sugar-water solution, spread petroleum jelly on feeder openings and the feeder's chord or wire.
  
  Position feeders in a sunny area where they will be sheltered from wind and, if possible, near flowers where hummingbirds already tend to feed.
• Flowers that will attract hummers are also beneficial. The flower nectar will provide vitamins and minerals not contained in the sugar-water. The birds will also eat small insects found in the flowers. Avoid using pesticides or herbicides in areas frequented by hummingbirds.

Landscaping for the birds

Sources:
Tips for Attracting Birds, Linda G. Blue, NC State University, Extension Agent Agriculture - Urban Horticulture, Buncombe County