Choosing a Hummingbird Feeder
Posted: Monday, March 14, 2005
by lorien1973
Online Discount Mart Home & Garden Decor
Choosing a hummingbird feeder to attract those fast-flying friends isn’t a hard thing to do. There are several types of hummingbird feeders and here is a breakdown of several for you along with tips for your feeder.
First, hummingbirds love the color red so whatever you do, make sure there is red in it. This will definitely catch their eye faster than something that is green or blue. If you cannot find anything that is red then you can dye the solution (feeder food) red.
A vacuum feeder dispenses the feed like a vacuum, once the birds suck out the nectar more drops down into the little holes. You can make your own vacuum feeder by using a plastic or glass bottle, attach a small tube like a straw with a stopper at the end of it and hang it upside down.
A saucer feeder is a little dish with a cover on top and little holes in it for the birds to suck the nectar out through the top.
Materials for Feeders: Different types of material are used to make a hummingbird feeders from plastic to ceramic. It doesn’t matter what type of material you use as long as the hummingbird finds it and sucks out the sweet nectar.
Plastic feeders range from $5 and up. There are window hangers, outside hangers and even garden sticks. Window hangers would be the best if you want to actually be able to catch these beautiful birds. Outside hangers can hang from your tree or porch, there are dozens of different styles to choose from. The garden sticks look like little flowers that you fill with nectar and stick into your garden. The best types of feeders are the ones that come apart easy as you don’t want to struggle to clean it. Many plastic feeders will include a perch for the hummingbirds to rest on while they eat.
Hand blown glass feeders are usually very beautifully sculpted and are very appealing to the human eye. Many have painted hummingbirds on the outside to attract other hummingbirds. Yes, these are fancy but they don’t have to be that hard to clean, just follow the directions provided. As for them falling if you place them securely you should have no problems.
Ceramic feeders- Many are shaped like small bubbles with a tube and a dropper. These are a little harder to clean because they don’t come apart.
Feeders with built in perches- This will definitely make it easier for the hummingbird to eat, which means you’ll get to see them longer.
Self-made hummingbird feeders - Take a plastic bottle, about half way up the bottle cut out a square so the hummingbird may enter and drink the solution. Bend the bottle above the cut out square and add the solution in. Clip out shapes or designs that are red and glue them to the bottle. Tie a string around the neck of the bottle and hang it up.
Solution: You’ve picked your feeder now it’s time to make the solution, below is a simple recipe to make your own at home. If you don’t feel confident enough to making your own go to your local garden store and pick up a batch.
The Solution Mix
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup sugar (sugar cane)
Tips:
- Yellow is the biggest bee attracter so if you don’t want bees you may want to think not using this color.
- If you live where it is constantly windy you may want to choose a section in your yard that is a little less windy. This way the feeder isn’t flying around making a mess on everything.
- Do not place the feeder in direct sunlight it can spoil.
- NEVER USE HONEY IN THE FEEDER, IT IS TOXIC.
- Be sure to clean your feeders once a week.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Found the article to have just what I was looking for. Clear directions. thanks
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