Hummingbirds Are Returning, but They Don’t Want Your Bird Bath – These Charming Creatures Prefer a Gentle Mist

As hummingbirds head back from their winter migration, they seek backyards rich in food and water sources. But, unlike many other garden birds including American robins, you're unlikely to find hummingbirds using your bird bath. Instead, these tiny winged creatures are more accustomed to a gentle mist to cool off and clean their feathers.

If you're keen to attract hummingbirds this spring, it's vital to provide the right kind of water source. While their small legs make traditional bird baths too deep and the water too heavy, you can simply add a bird bath fountain pump (like this from Amazon) to provide a light and refreshing mist for them.

Hummingbird experts note that even the sound of running water in your yard can attract them. Here, they explain more about why hummingbirds prefer mist over a bird bath and all the ways you can incorporate this in your yard.

Why Do Hummingbirds Prefer Mist?

'Hummingbirds are tiny little birds, with legs made for perching rather than standing, and therefore most bird baths are too deep for them,' explains Maria Kincaid, an ornithologist from FeatherSnap.

'Water is also heavy as it soaks their feathers, which can throw off the aerodynamics of a bird that already requires a lot of energy to be able to fly in the way hummingbirds do,' she adds.

Instead, hummingbirds seek a gentle, light spritz to clean their feathers, cool off, and stay hydrated.

'Bathing in a mist allows hummingbirds to get the water they need for proper feather maintenance, as well as cool off on particularly hot days,' Maria explains.

But, this isn't to say they won't use bird baths at all. It just needs to be accessible.

'While they will use very shallow traditional bird baths, most of their bathing in nature is on leaf surfaces that gather water from rain or collect dew, in a fine mist-like rain, or the mist produced from fast-moving or falling water, like waterfalls,' Maria explains.

Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to provide water for these birds, just in time for when hummingbirds will return to your garden from the south.

Maria Kincaid

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.

3 Ways to Provide Water for Hummingbirds

As Maria explains, hummingbirds largely use morning dew, rain, and moisture from leaves to stay refreshed. This means one of the best ways to provide water is by having lots of trees that attract hummingbirds.

'Consider also providing perching spots. Once the hummingbirds have flown through their shower, they’ll find a place to perch and preen their feathers, making sure they’re nicely cared for,' Maria advises.

These pretty hummingbird swings from Amazon are a good choice. Just hang them up in trees.

Besides this, there are also a few ways to provide additional mist and water for hummingbirds:

1. Add a Solar Fountain to Your Bird Bath

'The sound of a mister or fountain in your yard will attract hummingbirds, along with many other birds, to the fact that there is water available,' Maria says.

'I recommend adding a solar water pump fountain (like this one from Walmart) to your bird bath,' she adds.

You can also purchase a bird bath with the mister and pump built in, like this one from Wayfair.

2. Keep Your Bird Bath Shallow

Of course, placing a bird bath in your yard is a vital way to help a wide range of garden birds. You can make it more useful to hummingbirds by keeping it shallow enough for them to use.

'The water needs to be extremely shallow, less than 3/4 of an inch, just a thin layer,' explains wildlife expert David M. Burrows.

'Or, for something easier, place floating objects or rocks in your bird bath for hummingbirds to land on (like these pollinator water islands from Walmart).

'This will also make your bird bath accessible to butterflies and bees,' he adds.

David Burrows

David M Burrows has 25+ years in start-ups for B2B and B2C concepts and he launched his latest in 2021 with his wife Margaret. Hivessence is an organic, sustainable honey-infused selfcare brand that works to save bees and other pollinators via Pollination Accelerator projects deployed by their non-profit Arkearth. It aims to save honeybees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, bats, and other pollinating species via a series of sustainable projects.

3. Set Up a Sprinkler

Another way to create mist for hummingbirds is with your sprinkler.

'Set a sprinkler on a timer to mist your yard without wasting water,' says Siobhan Shaw from Growing to Give.

An oscillating sprinkler (like this one from Walmart) can be a good choice, as it provides movement for the hummingbirds to fly through. You can use a sprinkler timer attachment (from Amazon) for more convenience.

'Add a hummingbird feeder (like this one from Amazon) and bright native spring flowers for hummingbirds, and you’ve created a little oasis that keeps these jewels coming back,' Siobhan advises.

Siobhan Shaw

Siobhan is the co-founder of Growing to Give, a dynamic global nonprofit dedicated to transforming community-focused food security and agriculture through sustainable farming and gardening practices. Siobhan is a passionate advocate for women's empowerment in agriculture, mentoring women who aspire to careers in the field. Siobhan also continues her decades of podcasting as the host and co-producer of the health and well-being podcast titled Real Talk.

What to Shop

'Another magical thing about hummingbirds is that they remember your exact location if it’s a good stop while migrating or just cruising the neighborhood. So, a well-planned habitat for them this year will keep them coming back for future,' says David.

For this reason, it can be a good idea to plant some shrubs to create shelter for hummingbirds to transform your yard into a safe haven for them.

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