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Many species of flowering plants and trees will lure hummingbirds to your lawn or garden.
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Attracting HummingbirdsMost Americans think of birds as welcome visitors to lawns, gardens and patios, as they can bring with them a little of the beauty and serenity of nature. Hummingbirds, with their tiny, delicate bodies and swiftly beating wings, are a particular joy to watch, and have the added benefit of controlling unwanted insects. How can a homeowner go about making his or her property more attractive to these winged guests?
Mark Klym is a wildlife information specialist for the Texas Park and Wildlife Department in Austin. Here he offers a few basic tips and tricks for attracting hummingbirds to your lawn:
- Natural Food. To attract hummingbirds, you'll have to offer them source of food, and according to Klym, the best way to do this is to plant flowering plants like honeysuckles, turks cap, lantanas, and a host of others which offer nectar for the birds. These plants will also attract insects, which are another source of hummingbird food. Make sure to lay off the insecticide, as the hungry hummingbirds will do the job of insect control for you.
- Natural Food. If you don't have the option of planting a hummingbird-friendly garden, you can always use a hummingbird feeder, which typically comes with an artificial flower to attract the birds and is filled with sweet nourishing nectar. The nectar is available in bird feeding stores or can be made at home from recipes found on the Web.
- Water. Like all birds, hummingbirds need water as well as food. According to Klym, hummingbirds are not fond of deep water, so if you have a standard birdbath, try putting a rock under the surface to create a water depth of less than an inch. This way the hummingbirds will feel safe and come to drink.
- Shelter. Lastly, you'll want to offer the hummingbirds a place of protection from predators and a good nesting location. Klym recommends shrubs or any kind of trees, particularly evergreens.
By following these simple tricks, you'll not only enrich the lives of the hummingbirds who come to feed, drink and live in your yard, but you'll enrich your own life by bringing a little bit of wild nature into it.
For more information on hummingbirds, check out the following organizations and websites:
Hummingbirds.net
The Hummingbird Web Site
portalproductions.com/h/
The Hummingbird Society
www.hummingbird.org
BirdWatchers.com: Debbie's Tips For Attracting And Feeding Hummingbirds
www.birdwatchers.com/debtips.html
Backyard Wildlife: To Feed a Hummingbird
www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/Wildlife/g1331.HTM#pfh | 
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