6 Best Hummingbird Feeders in 2021

Hummingbirds are beautiful, whimsical little wild birds that are well known for hovering over gardens and enjoying a bit of nectar. They are also very smart creatures as they remember every flower and feeder they have ever fed from. Their metabolism is almost greater than that of a 10,000-pound giant, so they tend to eat every 15 minutes to maintain their enrgy to survive. You can entice them to stay around your property for a while by placing hummingbird feeders around your house or garden. Hummingbirds have big attitudes and dominant behaviors; they can be quite aggressive to other birds. Once you have filled your bright feeder with nectar, your home will become the new hotspot for neighboring hummingbirds. Ensure that there is adequate space between your feeders and establish well-placed perch positions for all the hummingbirds that stopover to feed.

Another problem that you might face with hummingbirds in your garden would be the nectar quality you provide them with. It’s not only hummingbirds that love nectar; bees, ants, and wasps also love the sugary substance as much as hummingbirds. These insects can steal and contaminate your nectar which could lead to sickness or death of hummingbirds. You can protect the hummingbirds that come to your yard using an ant guard device to surround your feeder.

Hummingbird feeders come in various sizes, shapes, and materials. Still, most of them come with red coloring to attract the hummingbirds to come feed and flower-shaped ports from where they can drink the nectar.

If you would love to enjoy the company of these birds, then you’ll have to provide them with a place to perch and feed; doing this will allow you to enjoy their company for years to come. Some feeders come with perches while others do not, so if you would like to take pictures of the birds, then you might want to go for a feeder with perches.

BUYING GUIDE FOR THE BEST HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS

There are certain things you should know before purchasing a hummingbird feeder. You might be wondering what hummingbird feeder would best meet your requirements and to choose the right one depends on a number of factors. One of the first things you have to put into consideration is how easy the feeder is to clean because you’ll have to clean and refill it every two to four days. You’ll have to even clean and refill it more frequently during the hot months so that your nectar doesn’t spoil. You should be able to find a feeder that is easy to unscrew and gives you easy access to the feeding portals.

Also, if this is your first time building a hummingbird community, then a red feeder would be the best option to go for in order to attract new visitors. If you intend to get more than one feeder, then ensure there is space between them, as these birds can be very territorial when it comes to their food. You also have to consider if you want special features such as bee guards or ant moat. Depending on your preference, you’ll have to decide if you want a feeder that comes with a perch or not.

TYPES OF HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS

Hummingbird feeders come in different styles, but there are two main design types.

Saucer Feeders

These types of feeders are also known as dish feeders. These type of feeders run horizontally and looks like a hollowed frisbee. They are easy to mount on poles or railings; they are also easy to assemble, clean, and fill. They are easy to clean because they have few working parts, and most of them are dishwasher safe. But, you have to keep in mind that they have a smaller capacity compared to the other feeder design, so you’ll have to refill them frequently.

Another problem that you might face with this style of feeder is visibility. The look of a feeder matter to the hummingbirds; they prefer to visit feeders that are made from brightly colored materials. They prefer feeders that have a unique and vibrant look compared to a typical dull-looking feeder.

Bottle Feeders

This type of feeder has a vertical tube or bottle that holds the nectar with a horizontal basin that has the attached feeding portals. This type of feeder can hold more nectar than the other style, and they are also easy to assemble. The nectar is held in the central reservoir that is located above the feeding ports while the nectar is released from above.

However, this design also has its drawbacks. These type of feeders are more prone to insect attacks; it also tends to leak nectar after the hummingbirds are done feeding. They are also harder to clean. Like we said, the style of the feeder you go for depends on your preference. If you would like to know which one you prefer, you could try both designs out.

MATERIALS USED IN MAKING HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS

The material used in making a feeder matter a lot; you have to pay extra attention to the material they are made from. How easy it is to clean is an important element to factor in when choosing the material it is made from. Some feeders need the same amount of cleaning that plastic does. Glass feeders, however, are easy to soak in warm water, and they do not need the same attention that plastic does. It is also important that the material you choose is UV stable and made from food-grade plastic. Keep in mind that plastic feeders could also have warping and leakage after a while of usage.

Plastic feeders tend to discolor over time, but glass feeders might allow the nectar to ferment faster. The feeder you choose should be able to withstand natural elements such as wind, rain, and sunlight.

No matter the material of the feeder you choose, if the feeder is too hard to clean, it will be a waste of time and effort. Bottle feeders are harder to clean because of their narrow necks and saucers that have small filling holes. You should avoid choosing a ceramic feeder as you won’t be able to see the nectar levels and any mold build-up.

Ensure that any piece such as the base and hangers are made from metal that is resistant to rusting. It is also important that you check the label to see if the feeder is dishwasher safe.

MISTAKES TO AVOID MAKING WITH HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS

It might seem simple enough to provide nectar to hungry hummingbirds, but it is quite easy to make mistakes, and that might bring harm to the birds. Even the smallest of mistakes can discourage hummingbirds from visiting your feeder, but the major mistakes might lead to toxic nectar, which could be fatal to hummingbirds that consume it. Below are some tips on what you can do to avoid making mistakes.

Bigger Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Better

Nectar tends to spoil within a space of five days. If your feeder only attracts a few hummingbirds, then you will be wasting nectar if you go for a large feeder. If you bought the feeder before knowing the number of hummingbirds in your area, then do not fully fill the feeder until the number of visitors increases.

[Do Not Pick Dark Colors

If your feeder has a dark color, then that could be an issue. Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors such as orange and red and most bright colors of these shades. So it is vital that you go for a vibrantly colored feeder.

Don’t Settle For One Feeder

Purchasing just one feeder won’t be enough. It is better to use several hummingbird feeders as these birds can be quite territorial and aggressive towards one another. The number of feeders you’ll get depends on how many hummingbirds are in your yard.

Window Protection

If you are using a window bird feeder, then you’ll have to do something to prevent birds from flying into the window. For instance, if you use a plastic sheet to cover your window, then go for a sheet that has decorations on it, such as faux flowers, artistic swirls, or tinted glass. This allows the birds to see the window and avoid crashing into it.

Do Not Buy Feeders Because They Are Pretty

The function should be prioritized over form. Most of the sold models today may have beautiful forms but are nearly impossible to clean and too awkward to attract hummingbirds. Even if you get a basic hummingbird feeder, as long as you position it properly under sunlight, the reflections from the bright colors will attract the hummingbirds to investigate and feed.

Avoid Using Honey In Your Nectar

The major reason honey isnt included in most nectar recipies is that it tends to spoil when it is diluted with water.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER

When choosing a hummingbird feeder, you need to consider the following;

Size

The size of the feeder you get will determine how many birds it can feed at a time, as well as how frequently it needs to be filled. For just a few birds, an 8-ounce feeder would do great, while a 40-ounce feeder can cater to the needs of multiple hummingbirds.

Shape

Like we stated before, there are two main feeder types. The bottle or inverted feeders have greater capacity than the saucer feeders and they make it easier to monitor the nectar level but are prone to leaking and are also difficult to clean. On the other hand, Saucer feeders do not hold much nectar, but they are easier to fill and clean.

Cleaning

You need to regularly clean your hummingbird feeder to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria that are harmful to the birds. All forms of nectar or sugary water are messy to work with; that is why you have to consider feeders that feature wide mouth bottle reservoirs and detavhable pieces when choosing a feeder, as they make cleaning so much easier. So you might want t go for models that offer one or both features.

Insect Guard

It is vital that you get a feeder with an insect guard to protect the birds from the insects. When insects such as ants and bees consume the nectar, the nectar will become contaminated. If you have serious concerns about insects interfering with the feeder, then the best type of feeder to go for is the saucer-designed feeder.

Ant Moats

These are placed above your feeder and are filled with water. It is essential to have an ant moat; if not, the ants will get into the nectar and contaminate it for the birds.

Perch Availability

Having an available perch will attract multiple hummingbirds as they tend to use perches for different purposes such as preening, sunning, watching for intruders, and guarding the territory. Suitable hummingbird perches are situated high above the ground to offer good, wide views that are unobstructed by branches and leaves.

WHERE TO HAND HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER?

Hummingbirds are wild birds that are shy, so they do not like to stay in the open when they aren’t feeding, so the feeders’ positioning matters a lot.

Firstly, you should place your feeder at least four feet above the ground so that they are beyond the reach of cats, dogs, and other predators. It is also best that you place the feeders 10 to 15 feet from a tree or shrub’s cover because hummingbirds like to conserve energy when they can. Providing a nearby cover can be great for hummingbirds that suddenly feel vulnerable and need to quickly leave the feeder to a secluded place.

It is also important that you can see what is going on with the feeders you set in place. So place your feeder in a position where you’ll be able to see it from inside your house; you can place it in areas such as near a garden bench or at the edge of your porch.

Getting specialized hangers can make it easier for you to attach the feeder to porch railings with an extendable arm, allowing you to reach and watch your feeder easily. Positioning your feeder close to nectar-producing flowers will enable the hummingbird to notice your feeder filled with nectar. If possible, you should place your nectar in a shady spot as sunlight can cause nectar to spoil quickly.

History Behind Hummingbird Feeders

For a long time, avid bird watchers have been paying close attention to these birds for decades, but feeding them through a commercial device didn’t become popular until around 1950. It was designed by Laurence Webster and produced at the MIT lab by a glassblower. At first, Laurence made the feeder for his wife, who was fascinated to learn that you could feed hummingbirds in your backyard from a National Geographic.

There had been different publications about feeding hummingbirds with sweet nectar through artificial flowers since the 1800s, but these artificial flowers were usually handmade by hummingbird lovers. It was after John James Audubon’s publication that commercial feeders were brought to light.

CLEANING TIPS

Working with sugary water can be quite messy and sticky, and during the hot months, it can get even worse. That is why it is vital that you keep your feeders clean, especially if you want the hummingbirds to keep visiting your yard. When cleaning your feeders, avoid using soap and stick to hot tap water.

Then every month or two, you can make a solution of one gallon of water with one-fourth cup of bleach. Soak your feeder in the solution and use a brush to scrub it; after all that, you can rinse it with hot water.

You can also make another solution out of two parts water and one part vinegar to soak the feeder in and scrub, just like you would do with the bleach. Using these methods is better and safer than using soap.

However, we know that selecting the best hummingbird feeder can be daunting, especially if you’re new to hummingbirds and all they entail. But, there is no need to worry; we have compiled a list of the best hummingbird feeders in order to make it easier for you to choose. All you have to do is go through the list and choose the one that best meets your needs. Let’s check out the list.

We have conducted our research and provided you with comprehensive reviews on each of the products, along with their key features, specifications, pros, and cons. It will educate you on everything you need to know about each product.