It’s no mystery that hummingbirds burn off tons of energy, flitting from flower to flower to feeder (and back!) in your garden every day. But even though you may provide a nice, clean birdbath for the rest of your backyard birds, hummingbirds have different needs.
While many species of backyard birds will visit your baths, you’re likely not going to see a hummer. “Hummingbirds won’t normally visit a regular birdbath with stagnant water, simply because the birdbaths tend to be too large and too deep for the bird’s tiny size,” says Jordan Rutter, ornithologist and Communications Director at American Bird Conservancy.
“It’s difficult for them to stand in one since their short legs are made more for perching than standing. Water from a birdbath can also weigh down their feathers and make it difficult for them to fly, considering that they already require a lot of energy to do so,” Rutter adds.
But, like all birds, hummers do need fresh water sources. “Hummingbirds mainly use water for bathing, given that most water they imbibe comes from nectar or sugar water feeders,” says Holly Grant, project assistant for NestWatch at Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Ahead, learn how to set up a water feature for your hummingbirds:
How Do Hummingbirds Use Water?
Like all animals, hummingbirds need and use water to stay hydrated, cool off and regulate their body temperature, and to keep clean. “Rinsing helps remove sticky nectar and pollen that gets stuck in their feathers, that may affect their flight,” says Rutter.
But hummers source their water from various places other than traditional birdbaths. “When it comes to feather maintenance and cooling off, they tend to get water naturally from fog and mist produced by rain, from dew that collects on plant surfaces, rubbing themselves on wet leaves and from small puddles in leaves, and from drips, sprinkles, and gentle sprays produced by waterfalls or fast-moving water,” says Rutter.
How to Set Up a Water Feature for Hummingbirds
You have a few options for offering water to your hummingbirds. “A mister or dripper over your birdbath may be just the bathing opportunity hummingbirds need. Hummingbird fountains that are shallow seem to be popular, too,” says Rutter.
All birds are attracted to dripping water sources, so you also can try a DIY dripper to entice your hummingbirds. Pierce a small hole in a bucket, and hang the bucket over your birdbath so the water slowly drips out, says Grant.
Set your water feature in a shaded area, near a place where they can perch. “Just be sure not to place the bath too close to bushes or shrubs where predators, like feral cats, can hide,” says Grant.
In addition, make sure to keep all water sources clean for the same reason people prefer clean bathrooms—hygiene and health reasons alone are crucial for all, says Rutter.
Other Ways to Attract and Protect Hummingbirds
Besides misters and drippers, there are other ways to support hummingbirds in your backyard:
Offer perches.
Shrubs, dead branches, and hummingbird swings offer a place for hummers to perch and survey their surroundings, says Grant.
Include native plants in your garden.
They especially love those that are red and tubular, like cardinal flower, trumpet vine, bee-balm, and jewelweed, says Grant.
Limit or eliminate the use of pesticides.
This keeps flowers safe for birds, says Rutter. It also protects beneficial insects that may prey on garden pests.
Provide sugar water feeders.
Fill with 2-ingredient homemade sugar water (here’s the simple recipe), and never use red dye, which isn’t necessary and can harm the birds, says Grant.
Clean feeders regularly.
Clean your feeder every few days, or even more frequently in hot weather. You should also clean it anytime you see cloudiness or dead insects.
Keep cats indoors.
Sadly, they kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds annually, says Rutter.
