5 Things Hummingbirds Need in May – to Help Support Them During Nesting Season
Hummingbirds are active across much of the US in spring and will stop in the backyards bursting with resources
By May, hummingbirds are widespread across the US after returning from their winter migration. It's a key month to provide them with some essential care in your backyard, as they seek food sources, somewhere to nest, and refuge from predators.
Of course, the methods to attract hummingbirds to your yard are all relevant for spring, but there are some more specific things you can do for hummingbirds in May. This includes avoiding heavy pruning so these clever birds can build their nests on sturdy branches and providing an appropriate water source to keep them cool as temperatures rise.
1. Create a Hummingbird Mister
One of the key things to provide hummingbirds this month is a source of hydration. But, hummingbirds prefer mist over a bird bath, so it's key to provide the right setup.
'Hummingbirds get most of the water they need from the nectar that they drink, but having a mister helps with feather care, which is very important for these tiny hummingbirds,' says Maria Kincaid, an ornithologist from FeatherSnap.
Hummingbirds have too-short legs to stand in a bird bath, so they rather hover around mist to dampen their feathers. This is followed by preening, where the ruffle their feathers to remove debris and transfer oil.
'Flying through a mist or being able to rub against wet foliage allows for easy feather cleaning without having to worry about being so wet they’ll struggle to get back out of the bath,' Maria explains.
It also helps regulate their temperature during hotter spells.
You can add this solar fountain mister from Amazon to your bird bath to create the mist these birds need.
Maria Kincaid is the ornithology research specialist at FeatherSnap, or as she refers to it, the team 'bird nerd'. Originally from New Orleans and having lived all over the country, Maria studied Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Louisiana State University. With a lifelong love of animals and the outdoors, it was easy for her to fall in love with birds, birdwatching, and the science behind it all.
2. Don't Prune Your Trees
May is a key time to spot hummingbird nests and more importantly, to leave them undisturbed. They can be identified as cup-shaped structures built from moss, lichen, and bark.
'When hummingbirds start nesting is dependent on the species, and how far they migrate,' says Maria. 'Costa’s Hummingbirds and Anna’s Hummingbirds, which migrate to areas on the West Coast much earlier in the year, have already built nests and may be nearly finished raising nestlings by May.
'On the other hand, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, which migrate from Central America to the eastern U.S. and southern Canada, or the Rufous Hummingbird that migrates from the Gulf Coast or Mexico to the Pacific Northwest, are finishing up their migration and beginning to nest starting in May,' Maria explains.
In whatever case, it's important not to prune occupied tree branches to ensure nests are left undisturbed during this period.
'Hummingbirds like to build their nests on fairly open branches with a nice, shaded cover above it to keep the nest cool on warm summer days, so making sure you’ve got trees and shrubs for nesting and perching helps hummingbirds,' Maria adds.
One of the best trees for hummingbirds is the Temple of Bloom Seven-Sons. They use it to nest now and it provides blooms later in the season.
Temple of Bloom Seven-Sons is available to purchase from Nature Hill.
3. Clean Your Hummingbird Feeder
Hummingbird feeders (like this red one from Walmart) are vital food sources for these birds, but they can pose a risk if not properly maintained.
You should clean your hummingbird feeder to ensure it is fit for the birds to use without being exposed to deadly fungal infections, toxic bacteria, and spoiled sugar water.
'Clean and refill every day if temperatures are mid 80s or higher, you can stretch it to every 2-3 days if temperatures are lower. You should also clean and refill if your nectar is ever cloudy or discolored, no matter how recently you refilled your feeder,' says Maria.
With May being a peak period of hummingbird feeder activity in our yards, it's vital to change the hummingbird nectar regularly (you can use this hummingbird nectar from Walmart).
Every time you refill it, give it a rinse and use a hummingbird feeder brush (from Amazon) to clean the feeding ports.
'Hummingbirds are very territorial over their food sources, so having multiple feeders and flower patches means you can support more than one hummingbird,' Maria adds.
You may even want to invest in a smart hummingbird feeder (like this FeatherSnap one on Amazon) to watch them visit on your phone.
4. Grow Red Plants
If you're looking to spruce up your containers or flower beds for spring and summer, then experts urge you to choose red flowers for hummingbirds.
'I’m particularly partial to blooms like salvia, bee balm, trumpet creeper, and native honeysuckle, but any tubular-shaped flower will be attractive to hummingbirds,' says Maria.
Hummingbirds have long, slender beaks that allow them to feed from tubular blooms.
They're also highly sensitive to red hues, as it signals a rich nectar content for them to feed from.
You can find a red trumpet vine on Amazon, which blooms from summer to fall, providing late-season nectar for hummingbirds.
5. Avoid Pesticides
'It’s important to note that while the bulk of their diet is made up of nectar, hummingbirds also eat small insects,' says Maria.
For this reason, you can help hummingbirds in May by creating a biodiverse garden that attracts a wide range of insects.
'These insects are attracted to the blooming flowers, which is great, just make sure to limit or eliminate your pesticide use,' Maria says.
Hummingbirds will feed on destructive insects, including aphids and beetles, so they contribute to pest control.
You should opt for natural pest control methods if these insects are damaging your plants, rather than pesticides which will reduce the overall numbers in the yard and eliminate food sources for hummingbirds.
Pest-repellent plants, like these marigolds from Walmart, are effective when placed near your vulnerable plants. Their scent and chemical compounds discourage pest presence.
What to Shop
Hang these metal hummingbird perches in trees to provide a rest point for them. You get two in this pack, each with pretty decorative features.
This hummingbird feeder is red in color to attract these charming birds. It has multiple feeding ports and is transparent so you can see when to refill with nectar.
This mix of wildflower seeds is full of varieties hummingbirds and butterflies love. It includes both annual and perennial blooms.
You can also consider adding shrubs that create shelter for hummingbirds to your yard. This provides them with coverage from predators and harsh weather.
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