The Blog.

Hummingbird-Friendly Trees: The Often-Overlooked Layer of Your Yard

When most people plant for hummingbirds, they think flowers. Bee balm, salvia, fuchsia, trumpet vine — the usual nectar-rich stars. But there’s an entire layer of hummingbird habitat that often gets ignored, and adding it can transform your yard: trees. Hummingbirds use trees for almost everything that isn’t eating. They nest in them, perch in them, hide from predators in them, and even feed from some of them. A yard with the right trees feels

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Should You Leave Hummingbird Feeders Up in Fall? The Truth About Migration

Every fall, the same myth makes the rounds. “Take your feeders down by Labor Day, or your hummingbirds won’t migrate!” Worried backyard birders rush to put their feeders away, convinced they’re doing the right thing. The truth is the opposite. Leaving your feeders up in fall doesn’t keep hummingbirds from migrating — and in fact, it can save lives. Here’s what’s really going on, and when you should actually take them down. The Migration Myth

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Window Strikes: How to Protect Hummingbirds From Your Home

It’s an awful sound — a soft thud against the glass, followed by silence. Window strikes kill an estimated billion birds in North America every year, and hummingbirds are especially vulnerable. Their tiny size and high speed mean even a glancing collision can be fatal. The good news: this is one of the most preventable threats hummingbirds face. A few simple changes to your home can dramatically reduce strikes, often without sacrificing your view. Why

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Why Your Hummingbird Feeder Is Being Ignored (And How to Fix It)

You hung up a beautiful new feeder, mixed up fresh nectar, and waited. And waited. Days have gone by, and not a single hummingbird has stopped by. What gives? It’s one of the most common frustrations in backyard birding, and the good news is that the problem is almost always fixable. Here’s a checklist of the most likely reasons your feeder is being ignored — and what to do about each one. They Haven’t Found

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How to Photograph Hummingbirds in Your Yard

Hummingbirds are some of the hardest birds to photograph. They’re small, they move at incredible speeds, and they almost never sit still. But you don’t need professional gear or a wildlife studio to get great shots. With a little patience and a few smart choices, you can capture stunning hummingbird photos right from your patio. Here’s how to set yourself up for success. Set the Stage Before You Pick Up the Camera The best hummingbird

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Hummingbird hovering near small purple wildflowers in a green summer garden

Why Hummingbirds Disappear Mid-Summer (And When They Come Back)

It happens almost every year. Spring is full of buzzing wings and busy feeders, and then suddenly, sometime in June or July, the hummingbirds vanish. Feeders go untouched for days. The yard feels empty. Many people worry they did something wrong. The truth is that mid-summer quiet is normal — and there are a few specific reasons behind it. Here’s what’s actually happening, and why your hummingbirds will almost certainly be back. Reason 1: Nesting

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Hummingbird feeding at a pink mallow flower surrounded by green leaves

Hummingbird-Safe Pest Control for Your Garden

If you’re working hard to attract hummingbirds, the last thing you want is to accidentally poison them. Many common pesticides — even ones marketed as safe — can be devastating to these tiny birds. The good news? You can keep aphids, ants, and other pests under control without putting your hummingbirds at risk. Here’s what to avoid, what to use instead, and how to handle the most common pest problems hummingbird gardeners run into. Why

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Hummingbird drinking from a red hummingbird nectar feeder

Nectar Recipe Mistakes That Hurt Hummingbirds

Filling a hummingbird feeder seems simple — just sugar and water, right? Mostly, yes. But a few small mistakes can turn a well-meaning feeder into something that actually harms the birds you’re trying to help. Here are the most common nectar recipe slip-ups, and how to fix them. The correct recipe is always the same: one part plain white sugar to four parts water. That’s it. Anything beyond that simple ratio deserves a second look.

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Hummingbird feeding in flight at pink blossoms

Do Hummingbirds Remember You? Why They Return to the Same Yards Every Year

If you’ve ever noticed hummingbirds showing up in your yard around the same time every year, you’re not imagining it. Hummingbirds have incredible memories, remarkable navigation skills, and a strong instinct to return to reliable food sources. Here’s how and why hummingbirds remember places — and possibly even people. 🧠 Hummingbirds Have Exceptional Memories Unlike many small birds, hummingbirds don’t just wander randomly. Their brains are built for precision and recall. 🧠 Memory Facts: Scientists

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