Hummingbirds undertake a major journey every spring, but what's the best way to welcome them to your yard?
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00:00At just a few inches long, hummingbirds are some of the smallest birds in the world.
00:05But every spring, they make one of the longest journeys.
00:10They're already being spotted in the southern U.S. as they travel north, some flying over 2,000 miles.
00:18And they don't go by the calendar. Their migration is driven by the weather.
00:24Hummingbirds thrive in temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees.
00:27That's when they're most active, feeding, mating, and building nests.
00:31Too cold, they'll delay their trip. Too hot or stormy, and they'll change course.
00:37In the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest, expect them to show up in the next couple of weeks.
00:41In the Northeast, early May is your best bet.
00:44But their arrival depends on how quickly your local temperatures warm up.
00:48If you want to welcome them to your yard, start with a simple sugar water feeder.
00:53Four parts water to one part sugar. No red dye.
00:56Clean it every few days, especially as temperatures rise.
01:00And don't stop there. Plant native flowers like bee balm and trumpet vine.
01:05These give hummingbirds natural nectar and nesting material they'll need through the summer.
01:10And if you don't want to miss a moment, tech can help.
01:13Smart cameras like Hummingview are live-streamed activity right from your backyard.
01:17These tiny flyers may look delicate, but they're tough, even slowing their heart rate overnight to survive spring's colder snaps.
01:26So whether you're in the city or the suburbs, now's the time to prep your garden and your gear.
01:32For AccuWeather, I'm Allie Reed.