Denis Kania from the DuPage Birding Club gave a wonderful presentation “Attracting Hummingbirds to Your Yard” at our April meeting. He gave us a world perspective of hummingbirds and then talked in detail about the lives and behaviors of our local species, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and how we can make our yards appealing to these amazing creatures. You can watch a recording of this presentation by clicking on the link below.
Click here to view the slides from the presentation.
Here are some native plants Denis recommends to plant to attract hummingbirds:
Butterfly Weed – Asclepias tuberosa
Cardinal Flower – Lobelia cardinalis
Dwarf Honeysuckle – Diervilla lonicera
Foxglove Beardstongue – Penstemon digitalis
Great Blue Lobelia – Lobelia siphilitica
Hoary Vervain – Verbena stricta
New Jersey Tea – Ceanothus americanus
Palm Sedge – Carex muskingumensis
Prairie Blazing Star – Liatris pycnostachya
Purple Coneflower – Echinacea purpurea
Smooth Blue Aster – Symphyotrichum leave
Solomon’s Seal – Polygonatum biflorum
Ohio Spiderwort – Tradescantia ohiensis
Wild Bergamot – Monarda fistulosa
Wild Columbine – Aquilegia Canadensis
Wild Petunia – Ruellia humilis
Yellow Honeysuckle – Lonicera flava
Denis has traveled around the world to see 217 different species of hummingbirds. Read more about Denis at https://www.dupageforest.org/catching-nature/denis-kania.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has recommended a halt to the use of bird feeders and bird baths through May 31, 2022 or until avian flu infections in the Midwest subside, especially those that waterfowl may visit. During spring, wild birds will have ample food sources while bird feeders are removed. You can find more information at https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/news/Pages/IDNR-recommends-halt-to-use-of-bird-feeders,-bird-baths-through-May-31-until-spread-of-avian-influenza-subsides.aspx.
The IDNR believes it is unlikely that hummingbirds and oriole feeders will contribute to the spread of HPAI, and it should be OK to leave them up.
Check out the great resources on the DuPage Birding Club’s website and on their Educational Channel on YouTube to learn more about birds. The club offers many field trips and you do not have to be a member to participate.