Why You Might See The Most Hummingbirds During The Worst Weather
When the rain is coming down hard, you may be surprised to look out to your bird feeder and see a cluster of hummingbirds seeking shelter. This is not a coincidence — in fact, while hummingbirds are not hindered by a slight rainfall, lousy weather that creates heavy downpours and damaging winds will cause hummingbirds to seek shelter, just as we do. Hummingbirds are resilient creatures, and they can easily fly through light or even heavy rains, but that doesn't mean they want to. If they can, they will often seek out a covered space with a feeder.
So why, you may be asking yourself, are you only seeing hummingbirds during the worst weather? One of their many fascinating qualities is that hummingbirds have a fantastic memory. If they have ever landed on your sheltered feeder before, even if it was years ago, they will remember it when they are looking for a place to take cover during a storm.
When you may see more hummingbirds than usual
Hummingbirds spend each day on two missions: to follow their migration path and to eat. Hummingbirds can eat pretty much all day, as their metabolisms are extremely fast, so in normal conditions, it's unlikely that you get the chance to watch a hummingbird stay in one spot for an extended period. That is unless they are seeking shelter from something like rain. Instagram user @fernanda_ezabella shared a video of not just one bird but a flock of hummingbirds hiding under her porch feeder, showing that heavy rain is one surefire way to deter their daily plans. But rain isn't the only thing that will cause hummingbirds to flock to your yard.
If you hope to see hummingbirds, it depends on where you live. Hummingbirds migrate towards warmer weather, often arriving in North America in the springtime, but bird lovers have noted that they see adorable birds during every season, including winter. If you hope to see more hummingbirds flock to your yard, there are things you can do to keep them coming back.
How to get hummingbirds to your yard
Simply putting out a bird feeder and waiting for a heavy rainstorm isn't enough to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Like most birds (and all animals, for that matter), hummingbirds are motivated by food, often searching for the most consistent food sources they can return to again and again. But if you have already put out your feeder and have seen no sign of any, there may actually be a reason hummingbirds are steering clear of your yard.
If you want a hummingbird-friendly yard, first look at the plants you have. Hummingbirds love flowers as their nectar is a great food source, so consider planting things like trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm, and hummingbird sage. Planting multiple types of flowers is also a good idea, as adding different colors to your garden can help attract hummingbirds. You also want to create a space that is not too chaotic, as even the high-pitched sound of your lovely windchimes could ignite fear in the tiny bird. Adding a consistent water source, like a fountain, and ensuring your feeder is always plentiful will keep hummingbirds flocking to your yard, rainstorm or not.