by Marie Anne

Created on: July 12, 2008

If you're like most nature lovers, you're captivated by the fleeting wings of the jewel-toned little creature known as the hummingbird. Read on to see how some simple changes can make your yard a friendlier habitat for the smallest of our feathered friends.

It's no secret that hummingbirds feed on nectar and that their metabolism dictates a need for a good supply that is always available to them. That food source can be obtained through natural plant matter or provided artificially by a solution that you can purchase or make easily in your kitchen.

Hummingbirds have a long beak that allows them to reach into the more tubular flowers that hold the nectar that sustains them. Some of the more common shrubs and flowers that would be easy to obtain that attract hummingbirds to your garden are:

Azalea
Butterfly Bush
Honeysuckle
Morning Glory
Columbine
Hosta
Impatiens

Like most birds, hummingbirds have little sense of smell, so fragrance of the flower isn't of much importance when planning your garden. What the hummingbird does notice is color, so you'll likely find them hovering amidst the more vibrant of your flowers and shrubs. If you are going to add plant life for the hummingbird, please limit your use of pesticides and other chemicals that may harm them.

If you don't have the means to bring in more of the plants that hummingbirds love, you can hang a hummingbird feeder that will likely attract them just as well. Hummingbird feeders are available in garden shops, department stores and even some of the thriftier dollar-type stores. They come in a wide variety of sizes and prices, from the least expensive Plain Jane to the more exotic (and more costly) ornate models, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding one that you like that will also fit your budget. The hummingbird will likely not care how fancy the feeder is, so buy it for your taste, not his!

As noted above, hummingbirds are attracted by color, so most feeders are designed with that requirement in mind. All feeders normally have a large, clear container made of plastic or glass that will hold the sugar water, with the bottom piece usually having several holes surrounded by flower-shaped rings. The flowers are generally yellow, which simulate what the hummingbird would likely seek out in its natural habitat.

Commercial hummingbird food is widely available and mixes up easily. Simply follow the directions on the package as to how much to add for the amount of liquid your particular feeder will hold.

Homemade nectar is

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