BIRD FEEDING BASICS

About Audubon Audubon Guide At least 53 species of LOVERS The National Audubon Society saves birds and their habitats throughout the Americas using science, North American birds Small birds, big appetites advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. to Attracting Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, drink nectar—the naturally and other nectar eaters are some of the and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that most intrepid migrants—they can travel thousands of reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, Hummingbirds occurring sweet liquid miles each year. To accomplish these remarkable feats, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. they rely on the abundant supply of nectar usually Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in produced by . found within flowers that have co-evolved with nectar which people and wildlife thrive. and Orioles eaters over thousands of years. Although hummingbirds Hummingbirds and orioles are the tiniest of vertebrates, they have the largest brain and greatest appetite of all birds their size. Humming- are the main nectar birds must eat once every 10 to 15 minutes and visit Visit Audubon online for between 1,000 and 2,000 flowers per day to sustain more information and tips on drinkers, but mockingbirds, their supercharged metabolisms. Like other migrants, nectar-drinking birds are also vul- creating a bird-friendly yard. grosbeaks, tanagers, and nerable to extreme weather, disease, and predators. In addition, climate change and development are causing www.audubon.org several warblers also enjoy habitat loss, and the birds are threatened by collisions with windows and cell towers. sweet drinks from flowers Backyard gardens, large and small, provide sanctuary for resident and migrating nectar-eating birds. Sugar and sap. You can bring water feeders provide nourishment, but they are most helpful as a supplement to the natural nectar obtained these nectar-loving birds from flowers. It’s best to create gardens that provide real flower nectar as part of a complete habitat that to your home with a few offers shelter, nesting places, and water.

easy steps. Once they start It may take weeks after you’ve set out flowers and 225 Varick Street feeders before nectar-loving birds discover your new New York, NY 10014 visiting your garden, it’s garden. But if you’re lucky, they’ll show up much faster— 844.428.3826 sometimes within moments!

Written by Stephen W. Kress, PhD. likely some will stay the Cover, clockwise from top left: Mike Fernandez/Audubon; Paintbrush entire season and even (Castilleja), Photo: vkbhat/iStock; Rufous . Photo: birdiegal/ Adobe Stock; Mike Fernandez/Audubon; return the following year. Baltimore Oriole. Photo: Steve Byland/ Dreamstime; Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). Photo: Grafissimo/iStock. Inside, bottom left: Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea). Photo: Tamara Kulikova/ iStock. Inside, center: Ruby-throated Hummingbird and Balm (Monarda). Photo: mtruchon/Adobe Stock BIRD FEEDING BASICS

CHOOSE PLANTS WITH RED, PINK, OR ORANGE Creating a hummingbird- FLOWERS, AND WITH A TUBULAR SHAPE Nectar plants for Tubular flowers contain nectar at the bottom, which encour- and oriole-friendly yard ages these long-beaked birds to probe for their sweet meal. northern gardens In general, flowers that rely on fragrance to attract insect Flowers, feeders, perches, insects, and water are the pollinators are not good nectar sources, as most birds have a Bearded Tongue (Penstemon spp.): perennial key ingredients to a healthy yard that will attract these poor sense of smell. Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa, Monarda didyma): amazing jewels. Since hummingbirds and orioles naturally perennial with purple, pink, or red flowers frequent openings in the forest and forest edges, they are SOFT LININGS ARE IMPORTANT Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): perennial; readily drawn to suburban and rural gardens that offer Hummingbirds usually line their nests with soft fibers, requires moist soil, partial shade a mix of tall , , meadow, and lawn. During so grow cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), which has Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): perennial with migration, they frequent parks and urban yards planted fuzzy stems, and pussy willow (Salix discolor), which has orange-yellow flowers with bright flowers. fuzzy flowers. If your yard contains thistle Cirsium( spp.) and Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguinea): compact perennial dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), allow some to remain— with small red flowers START WITH A SKETCH OF YOUR YARD their fluffy seeds provide nesting material. Jewelweeds (Impatiens spp.): annual Indicate the location of your home and outbuildings. Madrone (Arbutus menziesii): northwestern tree Include trees, shrubs, flower beds, and other features that SELECT PLANTS THAT BLOOM AT DIFFERENT TIMES Manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp.): low shrubs and may benefit hummingbirds and orioles. Use your sketch This provides nectar throughout the growing season. This groundcovers to determine the best location for your nectar gardens. is especially important in early spring when migrants first Paintbrushes (Castilleja spp.): annuals and perennials Hummingbird gardens need not be large—even a window return, exhausted from their long travels. Hyssops (Agastache spp): perennial herbaceous box or hanging planter will do. Salvias (Salvia spp): perennials and annuals PLANT PATCHES OF THREE OR MORE INDIVIDUAL PLANTS OF THE SAME SPECIES Solomon’s-seal (Polygonatum biflorum): perennial THINK VERTICALLY This will provide larger quantities of nectar. Also, prune the Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens): well Grow a cascade of nectar-rich plants by securing a trellis PROVIDE TREES AND SHRUBS tips of flowering plants to encourage more flowers. behaved vine with orange flowers to your house and planting trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera Hummingbirds and orioles use trees for perching and Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans): orange or yellow sempervirens) beneath it. Trees and garden sheds can also nesting. Large tree trunks may also provide a source of AVOID PESTICIDES flowers on large vine requiring substantial support support sturdy trellises for trumpet vine (Campsis radi- lichens, which many hummingbirds attach to the outsides Nectar eaters also benefit from eating protein-rich insects. Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata): low-growing, cans). Layer herbaceous or lower-growing plants (see plant of their nests with spider silk for camouflage. Humming- Birds can ingest poisons when they eat contaminated shrubby vine selections, opposite) in front of vines. Then add window birds usually nest in the forks of small, stiff tree branches; insects, and systemic herbicides can make their way into boxes, tubs, or ceramic pots to create a terraced effect and orioles favor the drooping branches of maples, poplars, flower nectar. Let birds be your natural insect control. provide growing places for a variety of nectar plants like willows, and conifers. If your garden does not include trees Hamelia patens, cigar plant (Cuphea spp.), and justicias. or shrubs, a dead branch with small perching twigs makes a Nectar plants for good substitute. Locate these perches near your garden or Using feeders southern gardens* PROVIDE A WATER FEATURE sugar water feeders. (Erythrina herbacea): southern or Like most birds, hummingbirds frequently bathe in This will help attract the birds until your garden flowers are Coral Bean LEARN WHEN TO EXPECT YOUR LOCAL HUMMINGBIRDS small tree shallow water, and may preen or flit through the droplets flourishing and lure birds up close for better viewing. To prepare This will help you select plants that bloom when hum- ( eriophylla): southwestern generated by garden misters, drip systems, and small a sugar water solution, mix one part white sugar with four parts Fairy Duster mingbirds are most likely to visit and determine when to shrub, blooms year-round pump-fed waterfalls. Orioles also prefer shallow water— water. Bring the mixture to a boil to sterilize it and dissolve all put out hummingbird feeders. Don’t worry that leaving (Silene virginica): bright red flowered no more than two inches deep. of the sugar. Store any unused mixture in a refrigerator. Clean Fire Pink feeders up too long will prevent hummingbirds from perennial feeders every two or three days under hot running tap water, migrating on time; migration is triggered mainly by day (Spigelia marilandica): bright red scrubbing them with a bottlebrush to eliminate fungus. Like- Indian Pink length rather than food availability. In regions where win- flowered perennial wise, do not use honey in feeders, as this can grow mold. Also ter freezes are rare, some hummingbirds and orioles may ( pavia): small southeastern avoid red food coloring—it is unnecessary. Red Buckeye stay through winter. native tree with bright red flowers Standing Cypress (Ipomopsis rubra): southern FAVOR NATIVE PLANTS To help attract hummingbirds to new feeders, tie a cluster of biennial or perennial Learn which native plants hummingbirds feed on in nearby plastic red flowers over the feeder entrance. Lure orioles and natural areas, and include these in your garden. Native plants tanagers up close by offering halved oranges on spikes or and nectar-eating birds have a long association. grape jelly in special feeders or small bowls. *Check with local nurseries to determine tolerance for temperature extremes.