Attract Hummingbirds To The Garden With A Charming Swing You Can DIY
Hummingbirds might be the most industrious little birds in your garden. They're so active, that their heart rate can be 1,260 beats a minute. That's quite a bit higher than the average resting heart rate for people – between 60 or 100 beats a minute! It can be tiring just thinking about it. No wonder these hummingbirds yearn for a place to rest. You can make a great resting spot with a simple and cheap DIY hummingbird swing.
If you draw in hummingbirds to your yard with the flowering perennial that hummingbirds will keep coming back to, then you should also provide hummingbirds a safe place to take a break. Hummingbirds can't hop, so you won't see them resting on the ground. There they'd be sitting ducks for predators. Instead the best perches should be placed high enough so predators can't get them – several feet above the ground and preferably in the sun so hummingbirds can preen.
Hummingbirds are territorial birds, so hang perches near food sources, like feeders, so they can keep an eye on their favorite nectar. Just make sure they're not too close to windows, which can cause accidents. You can buy a hummingbird swing for about $6, or you can make your own. All you need is some wire (16 gauge and 26 gauge jewelry wire), red beads, a twig less than a quarter inch in diameter, wire pliers, and some cutters.
Make your own hummingbird swing with these easy steps
To make your own hummingbird swing, cut the 16 gauge jewelry wire into a piece about a foot long. Then twist a small loop in the middle, which will be swing's hanger. Make an arch with the rest of the wire, attaching each end to your twig. The twig should be less than a quarter inch wide because it'll need to be small enough for the hummingbird's tiny feet.
Next, you'll take the 26 gauge jewelry wire and cut about a length of about two feet long. Use your pliers and tightly wrap the 26 gauge wire around the wire arch. Add in red beads as you go. Red is the best color since hummingbirds love it. You can hang more beads down the center, above the perch, or you can tuck in some below the perch to attract the birds. Next, pick a sunny spot near a feeder or flowers and hang the swing. Now, your DIY hummingbird swing will be just another beautiful garden solution hummingbirds can't get enough of.
Also, remember that like bird feeders, perches should be cleaned regularly to avoid spreading disease or making hummingbirds sick. You could replace the twig with a new stick once the old one becomes too worn or dirty. If you want to add another little perk for hummingbirds in your yard, try installing a mister. It's the refreshing feature that's great for attracting hummingbirds to the garden.