Gardening with nectar-rich, tubular, brightly colored flowers is an open invitation for hummingbird visitors – especially if those flowers are red! Make the most of your plantings by setting up the perfect spot to watch these magical birds. Don’t forget to give them a constant nectar supply by planting species with overlapping bloom times, succeeding blooms and long bloom cycles.
This Costa’s hummingbird takes a matter of moments to sample the nectar from each of the individual flowers in this cluster.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
A good field guide can help you identify the various species of hummingbirds.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
And while you’re planning, add in a spot for yourself to watch. It should have some space around it and good visibility, so you easily can view the birds while preserving their privacy and safety. As with most wildlife, the best viewing occurs when you remain still and are some distance from the feeding or nesting area (remember those binoculars). Over time, you’ll be able to get closer to the birds as they become accustomed to your presence. You might be surprised at how close hummingbirds will allow you to approach.
If you’re planning to watch the hummingbirds from inside your home, do a little prep work first. Start by applying tint film to a window near a feeder – it helps the birds see the glass as a hard surface rather than working as a blind to hide you, and it permits you to hang the feeder closer than would otherwise be safe for the birds. Growing plants, hanging nectar feeders and providing perches in a sunny spot near a window can provide hours of bird-watching enjoyment. So gather tinted window film, scissors, a sharp knife, bucket, squeegee and gloves, then follow the simple steps shown in the pictures and described in their captions at the end of this article.
When the birds start to arrive, you’ll see the males first (hummingbirds migrate in groups of separate sexes). They’re easy to notice, as their plumage is much more brilliant than the females’ muted colorations. The males typically select a perch with a good view, watching for the arrival of females. Each will choose a territory and defend it with aggressive behavior and various unmusical calls. Courtship is very showy, with much swooping. It takes place over an extended time – perhaps as long as a month. Then the male flies off to start another family. The female builds the nest, lays the tiny eggs and raises her hatchlings.
Identifying the different species can be a lot of fun if you live in the West. (In the eastern portion of North America, there’s only one common species – the ruby-throated hummingbird – so identification is easy.) In the West, from Texas to California and north along the Pacific Coast, you can see a dozen or so different types if you observe closely. Among these are Anna’s, broad-tailed, calliope, Costa’s and rufous hummingbirds. A field guide with colorful pictures can help you figure out which birds are visiting your garden.
As you watch, keep records for future reference and to share with friends. As with other wildlife species, patience and stillness are virtues that will reward you with displays of surprising beauty. Use the sound of the birds’ distinctive wingbeat to help you locate them until you learn their preferred perches and feeding locations. If you wish to take photos of the hummingbirds as they feed, choose a very fast film, use a camera equipped with a telephoto lens and an electronic flash, and set the camera with very short shutter exposures to freeze them in flight. (Although even then, the incredibly fast wingbeats may still be a blur.) But don’t forget to pull the camera back from your eye and just enjoy the birds. Their beauty and flight is truly amazing.
Hummingbird Watching Step 1
Carefully cut dark-tint window film to fit the frame of your window. (Window film is available in rolls and sheets at most home centers, hardware stores and glass shops.)
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Hummingbird Watching Step 2
Thoroughly clean and dry your glass surface, using water and liquid detergent soap.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Hummingbird Watching Step 3
Follow the instructions that came with the tinted film for details on its application. (Most films are applied to a moist window, but some are best rolled onto dry glass.) Start at an edge. Using a squeegee, press the film tightly to the glass.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Hummingbird Watching Step 4
Avoid trapping air bubbles as you apply the film. Peel the film back and reapply as necessary to eliminate them.
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Hummingbird Watching Step 5
Use a razor knife to trim the film to the glass edges, using care to avoid damaging the frame or caulk (or yourself).
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Hummingbird Watching Step 6
Hang your feeder or trailing plants outside near the prepared window, then get ready to watch the hummingbird show from inside your home. (The tinted film limits daytime visibility from outside.)
Photo Credit: ©2002 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
