Attracting Hummingbirds in Western Pennsylvania

Hummingbirds are among the most fascinating and colorful visitors to any garden. Their rapid wing beats and iridescent feathers captivate gardeners and nature lovers alike. If you live in Western Pennsylvania, you might wonder how to invite these tiny birds to your outdoor space and keep them coming back year after year. This guide offers practical tips and insights to help you create a hummingbird-friendly garden that thrives in this region.

Ruby-throated hummingbird feeding on trumpet vine

Understanding Hummingbirds in Western Pennsylvania

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the most common species found in Western Pennsylvania. These birds migrate through the area during spring and fall, with many staying through the summer to breed and feed. Knowing their habits helps you plan your garden to meet their needs.

• Migration timing: Ruby-throated hummingbirds typically arrive in late April or early May and stay until September.

• Feeding habits: They prefer nectar from tubular flowers and also eat small insects for protein.

• Territorial behavior: Males can be territorial, especially around feeders and favorite flowers.

  
  

By understanding these behaviors, you can design a garden that supports hummingbirds throughout their stay.

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Garden

Plants are the foundation of attracting hummingbirds. In Western Pennsylvania, native and well-adapted plants provide the best nectar sources and habitat. Incorporate these flowers into your landscape, borders or planters:

• Bee balm (Monarda didyma): Bright red or pink flowers attract hummingbirds and bloom mid-summer. Hummingbirds are also attracted to a close relative, native Monarda fistulosa, which has pink blooms.

• Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans): Its large, tubular orange-red flowers are a hummingbird favorite.

• Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Vibrant red flowers bloom in late summer and thrive in moist soil.

• Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis): Blooming in late spring with red and yellow flowers, this plant provides a critical nectar source for early migrants.

• Salvia (Salvia spp.): Many varieties offer nectar-rich flowers in shades of purple, red, and blue.

The plants listed above and many others can produce nectar, which is essential for the survival of the ruby-throated hummingbirds, but these amazing creatures also feed on tiny insects which provide essential nutrients not found in nectar alone.

Consider including plants that attract tiny bee-like pollinators and other small insects. The lovely Button Bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) or even common zinnias can host a bevy of small insects, and you'll see the hummingbirds diving for the tiny winged morsels that visit these plants throughout the day and evening.

design and Planting Tips for hummingbirds:

• Choose nectar-producing plants that bloom at different times to provide nectar throughout the season.

• Avoid hybrid flowers that produce little nectar or have double petals - hummingbirds cannot access the nectar, if any exists in these plants that were bred to be attractive to human gardeners.

• If you have the space, plant trees and shrubs with slender branches, such as Serviceberry or Dogwood. The tiny hummers are only able to build a nest on the most delicate branches. ( Keep and eye out for hummingbird nests which are 1-2 inches in diameter and constructed of soft plant fibers, moss, lichen, and spider silk, which helps bind the materials together and allows the nest to expand as the chicks grow.)

• Avoid pesticide that can harm hummingbirds and their insect food sources.

  
  

Setting Up Feeders Correctly

Feeders can supplement natural nectar sources and can help attract hummingbirds, but be sure to follow these guidelines:

• Use a simple sugar-water solution: 1 part white granulated sugar to 4 parts water.

  Boil and cool before filling feeders.

• Avoid red dye; it is unnecessary and may harm birds.

• Clean feeders every 2-3 days to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

• Some people place feeders in shaded or semi-shaded areas to keep nectar fresh

  longer - but hummingbirds will not approach a feeder that puts them at risk of

  predators - so hang feeders in a clear space if possible.

• Setting up your feeder before the first expected hummingbird arrival in late April can encourage hummingbirds to reside in or near your yard.

  
  

Hummingbird feeder near bee balm flowers