Will Hummingbirds Nest in a Birdhouse? The Definitive Expert Answer
They are the jewels of the backyard, tiny avian acrobats that captivate us with their iridescent colors and gravity-defying flight. It’s only natural that we’d want to provide a home for them. A quick search online or a walk through a garden store reveals a market flooded with tiny, whimsical “hummingbird houses,” often shaped like teardrops or bells. The marketing is compelling: hang this in your garden, and these magical creatures will move right in. It’s a beautiful thought, but one that, unfortunately, is based on a profound misunderstanding of these incredible birds.
For years, I’ve dedicated a significant part of my work to creating ideal hummingbird habitats, and one of the first lessons I teach is to ignore these products. The truth is, I’ve never once, in 20 years of observation and consulting, seen a hummingbird show even a passing interest in one of these “houses.” The reason why is a fascinating story about evolution, architecture, and the unique survival strategy of the world’s smallest birds. This guide will give you the definitive answer to the birdhouse question, debunk the myths, and then provide a comprehensive, step-by-step plan for what *actually* works to attract nesting hummingbirds to your yard.
The Direct Answer
No, hummingbirds will absolutely not use a birdhouse of any kind. Hummingbirds are not cavity-nesters; they are masters of building their own tiny, open-cup nests on the branches of trees and shrubs. An enclosed space like a birdhouse is completely alien to their nesting instincts. Products marketed as “hummingbird houses” are ineffective and do not help the birds.
The Eighth Wonder of the World: A Hummingbird’s Nest
To understand why a hummingbird rejects a birdhouse, you must first appreciate the architectural marvel that is its nest. It is one of the most intricate and sophisticated structures in the natural world, a testament to the female hummingbird’s skill as an engineer. She builds it alone, a process that can take over a week and hundreds of trips to gather materials.
The Nest’s Secret Ingredients:
- Spider Silk: This is the magic ingredient. The female hummingbird gathers fresh spider silk and uses it as both a thread to weave other materials together and as a “glue” to bind the nest to a branch. The elasticity of the silk is the nest’s superpower; it allows the tiny cup to stretch and expand as the chicks grow, preventing them from becoming overcrowded.
- Soft Plant Down: The inner cup is lined with the softest materials she can find, such as the fluff from dandelions, thistle, or cattails. This creates a perfectly insulated cushion for the two tic-tac-sized eggs.
- Lichen & Moss: The exterior of the nest is masterfully camouflaged with tiny bits of lichen, moss, and bark. This makes the nest look less like a structure and more like a natural knot on the branch, rendering it nearly invisible to predators.
An Unforgettable Discovery: I once had the extraordinary luck of finding a Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s nest in a low-hanging branch of a beech tree. It was no bigger than a walnut shell. I watched from a great distance as the female fed her two minuscule chicks. What struck me was how the nest seemed to be a living part of the tree itself, a tiny lichen-covered bump that didn’t register as anything out of the ordinary. It was a masterclass in camouflage. An enclosed, artificial birdhouse simply cannot replicate this strategy.
The nest is always built in the open, typically on a slender, downward-sloping branch, often overhanging a clearing or water. This open design is intentional. It allows the female a 360-degree view to watch for predators and provides a clear flight path for her rapid entries and exits. This is a fundamentally different approach from the birds that use our nest boxes, who seek the protection of solid walls. Our guide on what birds use birdhouses explains the needs of those cavity-dwelling species.
The “Hummingbird House” Myth: Good Intentions, Bad Biology
So, if they don’t use them, why are so many “hummingbird houses” sold? The simple answer is marketing. They are sold because people buy them out of a genuine desire to help. Unfortunately, these products are not just ineffective; they can be detrimental.
- They Attract Predators: An enclosed space can be an inviting hiding spot for predatory insects like wasps or spiders, which can pose a threat to hummingbirds.
- They Harbor Mold: An unventilated wooden pod can trap moisture, promoting the growth of mold and fungus that could be harmful to a hummingbird’s delicate respiratory system if they were to roost inside (which they also don’t do).
- They Waste Money & Effort: Your time, money, and hope are better invested in the things that truly make a difference for hummingbirds.
So, let’s set aside the birdhouse and focus on what works. The real secret to attracting nesting hummingbirds is to create a complete, five-star ecosystem tailored to their every need.
The Real Secret: How to Create a Hummingbird Paradise
To convince a female hummingbird to build her nest in your yard, you need to provide three things in abundance: food, building materials, and safety. This is how you build a true hummingbird sanctuary.
1. Plant a Nectar-Rich Garden
The number one thing you can do is to plant a garden that offers a continuous supply of nectar from spring through fall. Hummingbirds have an incredibly high metabolism and need to feed constantly. They are particularly attracted to flowers with a tubular shape, which co-evolved with their long beaks and tongues.
Top Plant Picks for Attracting Hummingbirds:
- Bee Balm (Monarda): This is a hummingbird magnet. The red and pink varieties are particularly effective.
- Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis): Its brilliant red, trumpet-shaped flowers are a favorite. It thrives in moist soil.
- Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens): A native, non-invasive vine that provides a huge volume of nectar-rich flowers.
- Salvia (Salvia spp.): Varieties like ‘May Night’ or ‘Hot Lips’ are fantastic. There are salvias for almost any climate.
- Penstemon (Penstemon spp.): Also known as beardtongue, these drought-tolerant natives have beautiful, tube-shaped flowers.
- Fuchsia: Perfect for hanging baskets, their drooping flowers are perfectly shaped for hummingbirds.
The Easiest Way to Start: Hummingbird Wildflower Seed Mix
If you’re new to gardening, starting with a curated seed mix is a fantastic, low-cost way to create a hummingbird haven. This mix from Outsidepride is specifically designed to attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. It contains a variety of annuals and perennials like zinnias, poppies, and salvias that will provide blooms throughout the season. Simply prepare a sunny patch of soil, scatter the seeds, and watch your hummingbird buffet grow. This is the simplest and most effective first step you can take.
Check Price on Amazon2. Provide the Perfect Food (When Flowers Are Scarce)
While a garden is the best food source, a high-quality nectar feeder provides a crucial, reliable energy supply, especially during early spring migration and late fall.
The Perfect Nectar Recipe (and What to Avoid):
This is simple and non-negotiable. The only safe and effective nectar recipe is a 4:1 ratio of water to plain white table sugar.
- Boil 4 cups of water.
- Stir in 1 cup of white sugar until it is completely dissolved.
- Let it cool completely before filling your feeders.
The Expert’s Choice Feeder: Aspects HummZinger HighView
This is, in my opinion, the best-designed hummingbird feeder on the market. Its saucer style is far superior to bottle-style feeders because it doesn’t leak, it’s incredibly easy to clean (you can put it in the dishwasher), and the built-in ant moat prevents insects from contaminating the nectar. The raised perching ring allows the hummingbirds to rest while they feed, conserving energy. A clean feeder is a safe feeder, and the HummZinger’s simple design makes the crucial task of cleaning (every 2-3 days in hot weather) effortless. It’s a durable, made-in-the-USA product that will last for years.
Check Price on Amazon3. Offer Nesting Materials
Since the female builds the nest herself, you can help her by making sure the raw materials are readily available. You can purchase these materials or simply encourage them in your yard.
- Leave Spider Webs: Don’t be too tidy! The delicate webs in the corners of your porch or between tree branches are a vital building material.
- Plant Fluffy Plants: Plants that produce soft, downy material like dandelions, milkweed, and cinnamon ferns are excellent sources of nest lining.
- Provide a Material Station: You can purchase a special “Hummer Helper” nesting material dispenser, which is filled with an all-natural cotton-like fiber that hummingbirds will readily use.
Give Them a Building Supply Store: Hummer Helper Nesting Material
This simple and effective product is a fantastic way to provide the soft lining that female hummingbirds need for their nests. The specially designed dispenser holds all-natural nesting fibers (which are also used by other small birds like goldfinches) and protects them from the rain. Hang this near your feeders or in a tree where you’ve seen hummingbird activity, and you can watch them zip in, pull out a tiny tuft of material, and fly off to their construction site. It’s a wonderful way to actively participate in their nesting process.
Check Price on Amazon4. Create a Safe and Secure Environment
A female will only nest where she feels completely safe from threats. This means curating a peaceful and predator-free territory.
- Go Pesticide-Free: Hummingbirds feed their young a protein-rich diet of tiny insects and spiders. Spraying pesticides eliminates this essential food source and can poison the birds. A healthy, natural garden is a safe garden.
- Provide Perches: Hummingbirds spend up to 80% of their day perching, guarding their territory and watching for rivals. Leave some dead twigs and branches on your trees, or install a “hummingbird swing” near your feeders to give them a safe vantage point.
- Offer a Water Mister: Hummingbirds love to bathe, but a standard birdbath is too deep. They prefer to fly through a fine mist. A simple leaf mister attached to your garden hose is an absolute delight for them on a hot day.
- Deter Predators: The number one threat in many backyards is the domestic cat. Keeping cats indoors is the single most important thing you can do to protect nesting birds of all kinds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I bought a hummingbird house. What should I do with it?
The best thing to do is to treat it as a piece of garden art. Hang it in a sheltered spot for decoration, but please don’t expect a hummingbird to use it. You could even plug the hole to prevent wasps or other insects from moving in.
How can I find a hummingbird nest in my yard?
It’s very difficult, which is by design! The best way is to observe the female’s behavior. If you see her repeatedly flying in the same direction, especially if she is carrying fluffy material or spider silk, she is likely building a nest. Watch where she goes from a distance, but never approach the nest. The slightest disturbance could cause her to abandon it.
Do hummingbirds sleep in these “houses”?
No. At night, hummingbirds find a sheltered, concealed perch deep within a tree or shrub. They enter a state of deep sleep called torpor, where their heart rate and body temperature drop dramatically to conserve energy. An enclosed house is not part of their roosting behavior. Our article on where birds sleep explores this fascinating topic further.
Conclusion: A Garden Built for Jewels
The desire to house a hummingbird comes from a place of pure admiration. While the birdhouse is a misguided approach, the impulse to help is the right one. By channeling that desire into creating a true habitat—a landscape rich with nectar, teeming with insects, and safe from harm—you are doing far more than any decorative pod ever could. You are rolling out a welcome mat that hummingbirds can actually read.
Forget the tiny house. Your reward will be the flash of iridescent wings in a patch of bee balm, the sight of a female meticulously gathering spider silk from your porch, and maybe, if you are very lucky, the discovery of a tiny, perfect, jewel-box nest hidden in plain sight. That is the true joy of welcoming hummingbirds home.
