Do Hummingbirds Eat Thistle Seed?

Hummingbirds not only look much different from other birds, but their diet is also much different. Ninety percent is from flower nectar and 10 percent is from small insects. Hummingbirds do not eat any type of seed, including nyjer or thistle seeds. Birds that do eat thistle seeds include finches, pine siskins and common redpolls, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Does this Spark an idea?

Flower Nectar

Hummingbirds have long, needle-shaped beaks perfect for probing deep inside flowers and drinking their nectar. Planting nectar-bearing flowers attracts hummingbirds to your property. Nectar-bearing flowers that hummingbirds drink from include trumpet honeysuckle. or Lonicera sempervirens; red bee balm, or Monarda didyma; and hummingbird sage, or Salvia spathacea. Hummingbirds avoid flowers with strong odors, according to the National Audubon Society.

Artificial Nectar

Flower nectar consists of sucrose and water. Making artificial nectar with white granulated sugar, also called table sugar, and water can help supplement hummingbird diets. Place 4 cups of water and 1 cup of white table sugar into a pan. Bring the mixture to a boil in order to kill any pathogens in the water. Allow the mixture to cool before filling hummingbird feeders with it. Store any unused portions in a refrigerator. Never add red dye or food coloring, and never use honey, artificial sweeteners or other types of sugar. They will sicken hummingbirds that drink it.

Insects and Spiders

Hummingbirds eat tiny insects and spiders in order to get the protein they need, and female hummingbirds feed their chicks tiny insects to fuel their growth, according to "Hummingbird Gardens." Hummers hunt flying insects in the air and pluck prey off leaves or spider webs. Avoid using pesticides in your yard or garden when trying to attract hummingbirds. One quick way to attract hummingbird-meal-size fruit flies is to leave overripe fruit or fruit peels in a hanging basket, recommends the National Audubon Society.

Expert Advice

In order to feed the most hummingbirds as possible, the National Audubon Society recommends placing up several small feeders as opposed to one large feeder. Males are territorial and will fight any other male that comes to drink. Females will be tolerated, as hummingbirds do not pair off. But even the most vigorous male cannot defend more than one hummingbird feeder. Keep the feeders spaced as far apart as possible.