Over the years, I have seen a lot of remarkable creatures, but witnessing a rare hummingbird was the equivalent of finding a diamond in my grandma's garden. I have learned some tricks that the average person wouldn't know to attract the less common species and I would like to share them with you. With these tips, your garden will be very inviting to the Rufous, Allen's, and the rare Calliope hummingbird.
Two Leak-Proof Feeders, Zero Ants & Bees
Check Price1. Establish a Native Plant Corridor
Rare species of hummingbirds are especially drawn to specific native plants from their natural ecosystems. For example, the Rufous Hummingbird is drawn to the Western Columbine, while the rare Green Violet-Ear is attracted to the Cardinal Flower. When creating a food source pathway for migrating hummingbirds, remember that they have a very good memory for food sources. To create a food corridor for them, plant the native wildflowers in clusters along the pathway, creating a food corridor that mimics a natural migratory pathway.
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2. Keep Different Feeding Height
Hummingbird feeders can be set up throughout your garden at multiple heights to attract hummingbirds of all species. The small Calliope prefers to feed at lower elevations, while the Allen’s Hummingbird is best at mid levels. This means you should set feeders at different heights averaging between 3 and 8 feet. By diversifying the heights of your hummingbird feeders, you will see which species occupy certain heights, leading to less competition between the species and more visitors to your garden.
3. Install a Misting System
Set up a misting system near flowering shrubs or vines to create a fine mist spa. Costa's Hummingbirds love to fly through mist during hot afternoons. The mist should be dewdrop-sized to be enticing to hummingbirds.
4. Offer Premium Nectar Blends
Most hummingbirds will thrive on a 4:1 ratio of sugar to water. This ratio can also be used to attract rare species. However, it is recommended to use a stronger 3:1 ratio during migration to provide these birds with an energy boost. Use pure cane sugar and spring water as these birds can taste the difference. To keep the nectar fresh, it should be replaced every other day.
5. Create Micro-Climate Zones
Different rare species look for different environmental conditions. Create a garden that has different sun, wind, and humidity levels. Some places should have dense shrubs while others are kept open. For example, Broad-tailed Hummingbirds like it cooler and more sheltered. Allen's Hummingbirds, on the other hand, like it sunnier and more exposed.
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6. Establish Perching Stations
Hummingbirds can be very shy. They often prefer to check an area out before they will come to feed. To help this, try adding some thin and unbarked branches, or even some special perches. These should be placed around 3 to 4 feet away from the feeders, and the Lucifer Hummingbird is one of the species that likes these. Try using different heights and materials to attract other species!
7. Schedule your planting times
You can plan your garden so that it peaks during the migration periods of rare species. Research shows that rare visitors like the Broad-billed Hummingbird arrive within certain weeks. Make sure your garden is in full bloom during these times. Think about late blooming salvias for the fall migrants and early penstemons for the spring migrants.
8. Specialist Nesting Materials
Some rare hummingbirds have specific preferences for nesting materials. How about providing some natural cotton fibers? If you provide alternatives to spider silk, and some soft plant down, they may choose to use your offerings. Take the Blue-throated Mountain-gem, for example. It prefers specific soft materials to use in the construction of its nest. If you really want to help them, consider placing materials near protective evergreen shrubs, as this will give them the ultimate comfort zone to gather nesting supplies.
9. Create Insect-Rich Zones
Small insects are critical for the survival of many rare species. Please keep areas with native grasses and small-flowering plants to attract small insects. Please do not use pesticides, as these special visitors need these high-protein food sources, as protein is especially important to feed the hungry mouths of developing insects during breeding season. Patches of open land with abundant small flies and gnats are especially appealing to the Violet-crowned Hummingbird.
10. Minimize Artificial Light
Rare species of hummingbirds tend to like more natural environments. Try to minimize artificial lighting, especially around nesting and feeding areas. Natural light conditions will make the White-eared Hummingbird more active, for instance. If it is required for the safety of humans, use motion sensor lights. However, for these visitors, keep the dark zones.
11. Design Wind Barriers
Rare hummingbirds like to feed in places where there is little wind interference so they can hover easily. Use dense shrubs or ornamental wind screens to create small windbreaks. The Calliope Hummingbird, our smallest native species, enjoys these sheltered areas that allow him to feed without battling strong wind gusts.
12. Maintain Quiet Zones
Some rare hummingbird species are more sensitive to noise and disturbances. It’s best to mark off areas in your garden where there is less foot traffic and noise from outdoor living areas. For example, the Black-chinned Hummingbird, is more likely to use feeding and resting areas in these quiet locations. Peaceful sanctuaries can be established in many quiet corners of your yard.
