Diet of a Hummingbird

Hummingbirds have very simple but important dietary requirements. A healthy garden environment with a diverse variety of plants can supply these tiny birds with plenty of food. Because of the breed's fast metabolism the birds must eat 50 percent of their body weight in food each day. Nectar feeders are a welcome addition but can only fulfill part of their nutritional needs.

  1. Nectar Flowers

    • Nectar from flowers comprises a large part of a hummingbirds diet. They are attracted to bright colored flowers. Red is their favorite color and they will choose the scarlet blooms of red bee balm and crocosmia lucifer over others. They are also drawn to certain shapes. Flowers like digitalis, penstemon and cape fuchsia have tubular blooms. Their bill fits perfectly into these flowers making it easy to extract the nectar. They also frequent cup shaped blooms like columbine and bleeding heart. Blooming shrubs are just as important, as the birds love the urn shaped blooms of blueberry and funnel shaped flowers of azalea. Flowering vines like honeysuckle and jasmine are also popular. The best hummingbird garden is one that has a wide variety of blooming plants from early spring through late summer. If you are fortunate enough to have hummingbirds in the winter make sure you plant winter bloomers like strawberry tree and sarcococca.

    Protein and Minerals

    • Insects are also part of a hummingbirds diet. They eat soft bodied insects and small spiders to obtain protein and minerals. Eating insects will help them build up the fat needed for long journeys. Rufous hummingbirds nest in conifer trees and find insects in the tree bark. Other hummingbirds find insects in lower plants while searching for nectar. They also collect insects and bring them back to their nests to feed their babies. Spiders webs are used to weave nest materials together. Do not use pesticides in the landscape. Hummingbirds and other wildlife can be harmed when they ingest the insects.

    Nectar Feeders

    • Hummingbirds will not be harmed by nectar feeders. Feeders are a good way to draw them to your garden. As soon as the flowers come into bloom they will prefer the real thing. The syrup in your feeders should be changed often. In warm weather sugar will quickly breed bacteria. Fortunately hummingbirds tend to avoid the spoiled syrup. Fill nectar feeders with what they will eat in 2 to 3 days. Do not use food coloring or buy commercial products with dye in them. A proper syrup is made from plain white table sugar dissolved in hot water. Use a mixture of 5 parts water to 1 part sugar. Well water is good to use because it will supply hummingbirds with minerals. Female hummingbirds need extra calcium after laying their eggs.