Do Dandelions Provide Nectar for Hummingbirds?
“I saw a ruby-throated hummingbird trying to get nectar from a dandelion. Is that normal?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Kris Brown of Kaukauna, Wisconsin.
Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say, “Like most other hummingbirds, ruby-throats typically seek out long, tube-shaped flowers—they’re especially attracted to red ones. Dandelion blooms—flat and yellow—don’t fit the usual profile.
But ruby-throated hummingbirds have to be more adaptable than many other hummingbirds because they migrate such a long distance through different habitats, dealing with big variations in weather and climate. It’s an advantage for them to be flexible and to check out whatever flowers are available. Dandelions do contain some nectar, so it’s not necessarily a waste of effort for the bird.”…