Hummingbirds prefer large clusters of flowers, especially trumpet-shaped flowers, in shades of red, orange or pink. At least 19 species of native plants in the Northeast are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds.

Follow the sound! A zip - followed by a pip, pip - it's not a bright green bee. It's actually an energetic bird whose job is like that of a bee.

Pennsylvania's smallest bird, the ruby-throated hummingbird, is drawn to colorful flowers. Besides drawing nectar from the plants, these birds are spreading pollen, just like a bee would. Named for the humming sound made by their wings in flight, these birds are renowned for their small size and iridescent beauty.

Planning a garden for hummingbirds, even with containers, is pretty simple. Just consider flower colors and shapes.

Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers by their color instead of their scent. Also, they prefer large clusters of flowers, especially trumpet-shaped flowers, in shades of red, orange or pink. Suggested plantings include: nicotiana, bee balm (Monarda, Oswego Tea or Bergamot), or a hanging basket of petunias or fuchsia. Try to plan a garden with flowers blooming from May to September.

While, they have their color preferences, the birds eat nectar from flowers of most colors. At least 19 species of native plants in the northeastern United States are pollinated primarily by hummingbirds. These include spotted touch-me-not, trumpet vine, cardinal flower, fly honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle, fire pink, columbine, and wild bergamot. That's quite a tall order for a bird that is only 3-4 inches long and weighs less than 0.2 ounces.

Hummingbirds are specially adapted for eating nectar from flowers. They have long beaks and tongues for consuming nectar. The tiny birds can maneuver easily around flowers because they fly backward as well as forward and can hover in midair. This hovering ability makes it easy for them to feed from flowers.

When the birds feed from flowers, they brush against them, and the pollen sticks to their heads and throats. As they go to the next flower to feed, they transfer some of the pollen to that flower. While bees and other insects also pollinate plants in this way, some plants have evolved so that hummingbirds are their main pollinators. Such flowers tend to have petals joined into long tubes and to have long stamens (the part of the plant that holds the pollen). Stamens are arranged in such a way as to brush against the hummingbird when it feeds on the nectar.

Along with nectar from flowers, hummingbirds eat insects (off flowers and those caught in the air), spiders, and occasionally sap from trees, especially from woodpecker drilling holes. Hummingbirds also consume sugar water solutions from bird feeders, but they get most of the water they require from the nectar they eat. They also drink water from leaf surfaces after it rains. Hummingbirds use water for bathing and particularly like to bathe by flying through a fine mist.

Once you have established your hummingbird garden, a great way to attract the birds to a specific location is to provide a hummingbird feeder that dispenses a sugar-water solution. Place the feeders near flowers early in the season. Once the birds come to your feeder, you can move the feeder gradually to almost any location, such as in sight of a window for better viewing. The hummingbirds will find the feeder once they are attracted to an area.

Hummingbird feeders generally consist of a plastic or glass storage bottle with red "flowers" encircling the feeding openings. Select a feeder that is easy to clean and that will store enough nectar for three to four days. Nectar left in feeders for a longer time will go bad.

Hummingbird "nectar" is made by mixing 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Bring water to a boil and pour over sugar ¿ never use sugar substitutes or honey. Stir solution and let cool to room temperature before pouring into feeder. If your feeder does not have red on it, you can use red nail polish to paint color near the openings.

Timing: Feeders should already be out, as the birds follow the first flowers of spring as they migrate North. It may not be too late to try hanging one out, though. Leave the feeders out until September, when the birds leave Pennsylvania to migrate to Central America for the winter.

Cleaning: Replace the sugar solution every three to five days and clean the feeder before adding a new supply. Wash the feeder thoroughly with soap; you can use a weak bleach solution to sterilize the feeder. Vinegar may be used to clean feeders, too. Just be sure to rinse them thoroughly with hot water to get rid of the vinegar. Remove the plastic flowers and scrub them inside with a small brush. Make sure to rinse all parts thoroughly before refilling.

Feeders may attract bees, yellow jackets, wasps, hornets, ants, or other unwanted species. Some feeders have "bee guards" on the openings. These allow a hummingbird's long bill and tongue to reach the sugar solution but prevent bees or other flying insects from reaching it. You can also put cooking oil, petroleum jelly, or mineral oil on the outside of the feeder around the feeding holes, and on the wire from which the feeder is suspended. This makes it more difficult for ants, bees, and other insects to land on or walk near the feeder openings.

Although small and dainty looking, hummingbirds defend their territories as aggressively as larger birds do. Hummingbirds are promiscuous, males mate with more than one female. Males perform a pendulumlike aerial display to attract females. The birds will often use this same display to defend a food source, such as a patch of flowers, from other hummingbirds.

If these birds are feeding in your garden, look in nearby woods for their nesting sites. The female picks a nest site, usually in a deciduous tree in dense woodland, five to 30 feet above ground. Most nests are sheltered from above by overhanging leaves and branches. The female builds the nest from dandelion, thistle, spider silk and pine resin. The finished nest is a soft, flexible cup about two inches wide and an inch-and-a-half high. Some females simply refurbish old nests. She generally lays two eggs, incubates them and raises the young without assistance from the male.

Ruby-throats inhabit open woods, woods edges, gardens and orchards. Floodplain forests and areas along streams offer good nesting sites and abundant flowers. In the wintering range, hummingbirds feed on nectar and insects. During the breeding season, ruby-throated hummingbirds are found in deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, woodland clearings and edges, parks, and suburban gardens. They often are found near water. They prefer areas where they can find nectar-bearing flowers, with trees and shrubs nearby for shelter and perching.

Jennifer Frohnapfel is a member of the Penn State Master Gardeners of Butler County and has been certified for two years.