Flying solo from their winter homes, hummingbirds travel to breed in the spring. Here in Florida, we largely attract the brilliantly colored ruby throated hummingbird, mostly from about late February toward the middle of March.
There are approximately 25 species of hummingbirds in the United States. The ruby throated hummingbird boasts the highest population of hummingbird species, currently estimated at around 35 million. Wintering as far south as Central America, they can migrate as far north as Canada.
The best way to attract hummingbirds is with bright colors, whether that is with plants and flowers or garden decorations and gardening pots. They also love cone shaped flowers for easy feeding. Some brightly colored, well-shaped flowering plants they tend to like the most are trumpet vines, coral bells, cardinal flowers, bee balm, hummingbird mint, salvia, bottlebrush, fire bush, penstemon and honeysuckle.
Hummingbirds are also drawn to areas with cover and trees and shrubs that provide perching and nesting opportunities, as well as water sources like fountains, clean bird baths and misters. Hummingbird feeders are, of course, also a draw. A sugar and water mix will help provide energy for their high metabolic rate and the more feeders you have, the better as these tiny treasures tend to be territorial.