7 Simple Tips To Keep Hummingbirds Flocking To Your Feeder During Fall

As fall approaches and the weather cools down, it may seem like your previously busy hummingbird feeder is suddenly a ghost town. This isn't entirely surprising, as hummingbirds will typically start flying south in late August through September, depending on where you're located. While having fewer visits may seem like a sign to take down all the feeders and patiently wait until spring, you may not want to give up just yet. Even if activity slows during migration season, a few simple tweaks can turn your feeder into a reliable hotspot all through fall. You may have a few late migrants, and some may even stick around until the beginning of winter.

As hummingbirds get ready for migration, they need to be able to find reliable food sources on their journey south. These fast-flapping creatures have an incredibly high metabolism, typically consuming up to three times their body weight every day just to survive. In the weeks leading up to migration, hummingbirds eat more than usual to build the fat stores they'll need on their long flight. Unfortunately, as summer turns to fall, many flowering plants die back, so it can be a struggle to reach their calorie goals before and during their travel. Maintaining your feeders is one of the best ways to support hummingbirds during migration, and you'll get to enjoy their visits even longer. Implement a few of the tips below, and they're sure to keep coming back through fall.

One common misconception is that keeping feeders up too late will affect a hummingbird's migration habits. However, birds migrate by instinct and environmental cues, like the days becoming shorter. In fact, food is more scarce during this time, so leaving your feeders up longer means that your backyard could be one of the few spots they can rely on for nectar. So, make sure to keep them up for a few weeks after your last sighting to provide food for any remaining hummingbirds flying south.

Frozen hummingbird nectar isn't just inaccessible; the birds can also injure themselves if the feeding ports ice over. The easiest fix is to bring the feeders inside overnight and place them back outside in the morning. You can also swap feeders throughout the day, wrap them in wool socks, or even use hand warmers to keep hummingbird feeders from freezing. Additionally, keep the feeders warmer by sheltering them from snow and wind, or install a protective dome. Keep an eye on the weather, and choose a solution that works best for you on chillier days.

Although nectar doesn't spoil as quickly in cooler months, you'll still need to clean your hummingbird feeders and swap out sugar water regularly. On warm autumn days, you'll want to empty and scrub your feeders about once every three days. Once it gets chilly outside, you can drop it down to twice per week. Use a solution of 1 part distilled white vinegar to 2 parts water to thoroughly clean all parts of the feeder. Then, rinse everything with fresh water before adding another batch of nectar.

Hummingbirds can become territorial when they find a good feeding spot, especially when nectar is more scarce. Whether you've noticed a couple of small birds fighting over the ports or they're drinking the sugar water faster than you can make it, having several tiny feeders is better than one big one. Space a few smaller feeders around the yard so each little hummer that stops by has a spot to grab a sweet meal. Plus, because more hummingbirds will feel safe, you'll likely get even more visitors.

Another way to draw more hummingbirds to your yard is to plant their favorite fall-blooming natives near feeders. Hummingbirds are drawn to warm, fiery colors, so red flowers are perfect for catching their eye. A great option is pineapple sage (Salvia elegans), which puts out scarlet, tubular flower spikes from summer to frost. Hummingbirds have excellent memories, so they'll likely remember your yard as a reliable food source, encouraging them to stop by the feeders in the future. Plus, with more food to go around, it's less likely that territorial hummers will become defensive.

While a homemade hummingbird nectar recipe typically calls for 1 part sugar to 4 parts water, adjusting it in cooler months can be even more beneficial. During the hot summer, hummingbirds are more at risk of becoming dehydrated, so a more diluted mixture works best. However, as temperatures cool, higher sugar concentrations make the water a bit more resistant to freezing, and hummingbirds can benefit from an energy boost to stay warm. During cool periods, adjust your ratio so that you're adding about 1 part sugar to 3 parts water.

When observing hummingbirds in your yard, you may assume that they just feed on nectar. In actuality, these tiny birds depend on insects for survival. Experts estimate that hummingbirds eat as many as 2,000 insects each day, with protein needs climbing during migration. Along with planting native species, you can help hummers find insects by setting out overripe or rotting fruit in a dish near the feeders. The fruit attracts flies and other small insects, making your yard even more attractive to hungry hummingbirds.