Bloom Illustration by Jo Rolfe Orange Bells

Hummingbirds have long been drawn to the desert landscape, where colorful blooms entice their visits. In Arizona, 18 hummingbird species have been identified, according to Southeastern Arizona Bird Observatory (SABO). Most species fly to Mexico for the winter, although Anna’s and Costa’s hummers are year-around residents in the Phoenix area. You can draw these flying gems to your yard by implementing the following habitat enhancements:

Grow their favorites—Hummers regularly plunder nectar from red, pink and orange flowers. Their long, narrow bills are best-suited for probing into such tubular or trumpet flower shapes as aloe, chuparosa, desert honeysuckle, hummingbird mint and salvia.

Avoid use of pesticides—Pesticides are lethal to hummers. Although they may be the world’s tiniest birds, they also have hearty appetites. In addition to nectar, they require protein-rich insects to maintain their high-speed lifestyle. Approximately 40 percent of adult diets consist of insects; nestlings consume up to 2,000 insects daily. Halt pesticide use, and allow hummingbirds (and other species) to perform pest-patrol duties in your yard.

Offer fresh water—Add a feature with running or dripping water. Situate it in front of a window or near a patio area where you can observe hummers darting in and out for a quick dip. It should be placed in an open area where cats and other predators can’t lie in wait beneath shrubbery.

Plant a perch—Hummingbirds are territorial and like safe perches on which to rest and survey their domains. Trees and shrubs create shelter, nesting sites and food in the form of flower nectar and insects. Low-water-use blooming trees that hummingbirds frequent include foothills palo verde, cascalote and desert willow. Excellent shrub choices for bird habitats include Arizona rosewood, barberry and jojoba.

Provide nectar year-round—First make a list of when your existing landscape vegetation blooms. Then supplement with some of the favored hummingbird flora shown below to fill in any gaps. Note how adding just a handful of well-chosen plants means four seasons of nectar for hummers, as well as colorful blossoms for you to enjoy.



Plants that Attract Hummingbirds

Spring: Ocotillo, Penstemon, Aloe, Red eremophila (emu), Chuparosa, Desert willow, Red yucca, Baja fairy duster, Orange bells

Summer: Hummingbird trumpet, Desert willow, Red yucca, Baja fairy duster, Orange bells

Fall: Hummingbird trumpet, Chuparosa, Desert willow, Red yucca, Baja fairy duster, Orange bells

Winter: Aloe, Red eremophila (emu), Chuparosa, Baja fairy duster, Orange bells