Brightly-colored flowers and feeders brimming with sweet nectar fuel the bodies of hummingbirds as they perform acrobatics in front of your window. But hummingbirds need more than fuel to keep them coming back. These tiny birds seek out natural perches to guard their food source and watch out for predators. You can help them out by creating hummingbird perches throughout your yard.
Prune trees and shrubs, leaving one or two old branches for hummingbird perches. A short section of dead wood amid the foliage provides the perfect place for tired hummingbirds to rest or seek shelter from the sun or storms. And a section of dead wood with a better view allows hummingbirds to scout out nectar sources while standing guard against intruders who try to steal their food.
String a clothesline between trees to create an artificial perch for hummingbirds. The line should be in a open area, near feeders or flowerbeds, that gives the hummingbird a clear view of the area. Other options include wrapping heavy wire around the ends of branches and angling them outward to extend the branch and provide a secure perch for hummingbirds.
Make a hummingbird swing from wire and a dowel or section of natural wood. Cut the dowel to the desired length, typically 4 to 6 inches. Wrap one end of the wire around the end of the dowel, and create an arched loop, approximately 6 to 8 inches high. Secure the loose end to the opposite end of the dowel. Add decorative red beads or wrap the wire with red ribbon to entice hummingbirds to the perch -- hummingbirds love the color red. Hang the perch in an open area where the tiny birds have a good view of the area.