The Neat Product That Can Encourage More Hummingbirds To Nest In Your Yard

Hummingbirds are no strangers to the impacts of climate change. There are more than 360 hummingbird species in North and South America, with many listed as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. If you're looking to do your part to help these pint-sized avians, putting out nesting materials can be one way to make their journey easier. A hummingbird helper is a simple wire cage filled with cotton that can be hung near feeders to make it accessible. The natural fibers are easy to take out and carry back to the nest, which hummingbirds will then use to line the inner cavity of their roost.

Hummingbird nests are hard to spot, measuring only about an inch across. These tiny roosts are an engineering marvel. Expertly camouflaged and deceptively flexible, a hummingbird nest is built high up in trees using twigs, moss, lichen, plant down, feathers, and spider silk. A product like the Songbird Essentials Hummer Helper Cage, which measures 11 inches high and 6 inches wide, is filled with all-natural cotton. This puts natural nesting materials at the ready, giving these tiny birds a boost when it comes to creating a home for rearing their next generation.

Hummingbirds build nests for their eggs anywhere from March to November, depending on the climate and the species. For example, in southern parts of the United States, hummingbirds look for nesting materials in March, whereas in northern states or the mountains, they will be seeking nesting material in July. There is one species that's common in California, called the Anna's Hummingbird, that waits to brood until December. Putting nesting materials in your backyard can help hummingbirds source what they need during a time of year when plant matter may be scarce or in high demand.

For anyone who doesn't like the hard metal lines of the Hummer Helper and is looking for a more aesthetically pleasing option, there are other products on the market to help encourage hummingbirds to nest in your yard. The Gute Globe Hummingbird Nesters offer a more natural look and can be filled with the nesting materials of your choice, or consider the Menkxi Bird Nest Material Cages that come with the nesting materials included and create a cute look in the garden with their heart-shaped design. If you're looking to DIY a solution, you could also fill your garden with nest-building plants that attract hummingbirds, like swamp milkweed and yellow poplar trees.