Can A Simple Ribbon Trick Convince Hummingbirds To Stop By Your Feeder?

If your hummingbird-friendly flower garden isn't working, your daily bird-watching may be akin to staring out a window like in a sad music video (because your feeders are empty). So, you may need to employ some clever tricks to bring hummingbirds in. While there are many different features for attracting hummingbirds to your garden, some might work more than others. If you're wanting to try something easy that doesn't require you to plant flowers or invest in a new feeder, one simple hack may bring more feathered friends to your feeder. Securing a red ribbon (or several) to your feeder cold help catch hummingbirds' attention and convince them to stop by your yard. Once there, they can enjoy the nectar and any other flowers you have to offer to feed their appetite. Whether they just didn't notice your florals while flying around, or other species initially put them off, this hack can help add appeal to your space so they keep coming back.

It's become fairly common knowledge among avid bird lovers that red is one of the colors that draws hummingbirds in. This is due to the cones in their eyes, which allow them to see red and yellow well and seek it out while finding food. Many flowers in this color produce the nectar these birds need — a source that fuels their high-energy burn. While many other flower species can also produce this nectar, their eyesight brings them to the red florals first. This is why using red ribbons to your feeders and even around your yard can help.

You can tie a few pieces of red ribbon along the pole where your feeder is attached, or to other areas like the hanging chain. Avoid placing ribbons where they could cover the holes where the birds sip, as wind can blow these pieces of fabric onto them and deter feeding. Keep in mind when trying this that it doesn't have to be tacky or take away from the aesthetic of your garden. 

In fact, if you use red ribbon that is attached via a bow or in a small knot, so it can blow in the wind, this can actually create an aesthetic effect that not only pulls in hummingbirds, but also elevates your space. You may want to try different tactics, such as tying on nearby trees to see if that draws them in. You can also attach red ribbons to the surrounding area, especially if there are flowers that the hummingbirds can feed from. Once they are acquainted with your yard, they will likely come back on their own, but the red does help to initially alert them to your space. If you have more than one hummingbird feeder in your yard, make sure to keep a good distance between each and keep the ribbons close to each one rather than placing everything in a general area, as these birds can be territorial and don't always share their food well.