Hummingbirds make their way to Sacramento this spring. Here’s the best way to attract them

Jacqueline Pinedo
·2 min read
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Despite the slow start to warmer temperatures this year, signs of spring are beginning to pop-up all around Sacramento.

You might have even started to spot colorful hummingbirds flying around the city.

The small birds are frequently seen in the spring months as they’re migrating north to their breeding grounds, said Kristen Angelini, naturalist at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center.

If you’re a hummingbird enthusiast and want to attract more of the colorful birds to your backyard, here are some tips:

Hummingbirds common to Sacramento

There are more than 330 species of the hummingbird, and a handful of them make their way to Sacramento every year.

One in particular is quite popular to the region — and it doesn’t migrate like the others.

Anna’s hummingbirds have a mostly green coat and males are easily distinguished by the reddish-pink feathers on their throats.

The bird is commonly found in California. It doesn’t migrate south or north as do other hummingbird species, instead they move to higher elevations in the summer and lower altitudes in the winter, according to the American Bird Conservancy a bird conservation organization.

The bird feeds on flower nectar, sap and insects.

For story by Patrick Giblin on Audubon society backyard bird count on Sunday, February 15, 2004. Backyard bird counter and president of the Stanislaus Audubon Society, Dave Froba, has a hummingbird feeder that attracks this male Anna hummingbird.
For story by Patrick Giblin on Audubon society backyard bird count on Sunday, February 15, 2004. Backyard bird counter and president of the Stanislaus Audubon Society, Dave Froba, has a hummingbird feeder that attracks this male Anna hummingbird.

Attracting hummingbirds

Sugar-water tastes very similar to flower nectar for hummingbirds. You can easily make the nectar like solutions at home to attract the bird by putting it in a bird feeder.

You’ll need one part sugar and four parts water to make the solution at home, Angelini said.

The color red is an alluring factor for these birds. When you’re deciding on a bird feeder, opt for a red one to increase your chances of getting visitors.

It’s important to note if you plan to commit to a bird feeder, you’ll need to clean it every one or two days, Aneglini said.

Bird feeders can easily build up bacteria.

Native plants

If a bird feeder isn’t for you, another great option to attract hummingbirds into your yard is by planting native flowers.

“Native red or orange tubular flowers, those really attract hummingbirds,” Angelini said.

A hummingbird feeds on nectar from a Mexican white sage at the UC Davis hummingbird garden in 2017.
A hummingbird feeds on nectar from a Mexican white sage at the UC Davis hummingbird garden in 2017.

Below are some native flower recommendations for your backyard.

  • Vines and shrubs

  • Trumpet honeysuckle

  • Bee balm

  • Hummingbird sage

Popular places to spot them

If you don’t have access to a garden there are popular public places that commonly attract the birds.

“Anywhere along the American River Parkway is a great spot to see hummingbirds,” Angelini said. “There’s a lot of amazing plants along the river.”

Other locations to consider are William B. Pond Park and trailheads around the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in Carmichael.

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