Hummingbirds are beautiful creatures of nature and they often come fluttering around, especially in the winter months, searching for food. However, they’re quite picky about which gardens they visit, as they prefer ones with bright flowers and plants. To make them visit your garden frequently, you need to use a nectar-filled hummingbird feeder as bait. Our researchers looked at factors like material, size, design, and nectar-capacity and we found the best hummingbird feeder to be the Wosnows Hummingbird Feeder, which is airtight and heats very slowly in the summer, preventing injury to the birds.
Our Top Picks For Hummingbird Feeders
The Best Hummingbird Feeders
Best Overall
This brightly colored Wosnows Hummingbird Feeder has a plastic base that works perfectly with its silicone sealing ring. This makes the feeder airtight and ensures that nectar doesn’t leak. When there’s a lot of wind, you can secure the hummingbird feeder with the included S hooks and ropes to keep it from falling over. Using pad-dyeing technology, the bottle’s body is able to retain its luster in the rain and wind for a long period of time. What particularly stood out to me is that even in the hottest weather, this plastic bird feeder doesn’t heat up quickly, allowing birds to enjoy their meal without burning themselves. We chose this as our best overall because of its bright design that attracts hummingbirds as well as its cooling technology.
Pros
- Bright color design attracts birds
- Airtight and prevents leakage
- Slow to heat up in summers
Cons
- Base is slightly difficult to unscrew
Unique Design
If you have a large number of hummingbirds visiting your garden, we think the Muse Garden Hummingbird Feeder is the best choice to keep them all happy. It has a nectar capacity of 25 ounces and can last for at least three days. This feeder is made of glass and has a beautiful design with bright colors that you’re sure to love.
Moreover, it has removable parts for easy cleaning and assembly. The base of this feeder is constructed with rust-proof stainless steel that is free from lead and other toxins. It also has a perch for the birds to rest their feet while eating. Though the feeder might be a bit heavy, it does remain stable during harsh storms.
Pros
- 25-ounce nectar storage capacity
- Metal base comes with a perch
- Bright colors and glass design
Cons
- Rainwater may get inside the feeder
Handmade Pick
The LUJII Hummingbird Feeder is one of the most beautiful hummingbird feeders you can get on the market. Made with high-quality glass, this feeder is painted with gorgeous bright hues. It can also store 35 ounces of nectar and is easy to refill due to its wide mouth design. Since the glass is transparent, you can view the nectar quantity inside. Plus, it has five feeding ports with a perch for the birds to rest while having their meal along with an included hook to hang it with security. To clean, simply unscrew the bottle from the base to clean it effectively.
Pros
- Transparent glass bottle to view nectar
- Can store 35 ounces of nectar
- Features ant moats to separate bugs
Cons
- Some people might find it expensive
Amazing Deal
If you are looking for reliable hummingbird feeders that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, we definitely recommend you check out the SEWANTA Hummingbird Feeder. This feeder has stainless steel bases, plastic bottles, and iron hooks for durability. They also come in a set of two so you don’t have to worry about the birds overcrowding the feeder.
Each feeder has a capacity of 16 ounces and comes with ten feeding ports. The adjustable iron chains make it easier to hang these feeders at any height. Moreover, the vibrant red color will surely attract more birds than ever.
Pros
- Store 16 ounces of nectar each
- Features a hermetic leak-proof seal
- Ten feeding ports
Cons
- Does not have any pest protection
Vintage Look
The BOLITE Hummingbird Feeder is designed to attract hummingbirds to your garden with its bright colors. It’s beautifully constructed with an etched high-quality glass bottle that is attached to a copper plastic base, featuring a circular plastic perch for the birds. It can also store up to 22 ounces of nectar and feed five birds at a time. The removable parts make the cleaning process easy and effective and the sturdy metal handle allows you to easily hang it in your garden.
Pros
- Five different feeding ports
- Easy to clean and assemble
- Highly attractive to birds
Cons
- Can break easily if dropped
Simple Design
The eWonLife Hummingbird Feeder is perfect for a garden that gets frequent visits from hummers. It comes in a set of two feeders, each with a capacity of 16 ounces and five feeding ports. Additionally, it has a nectar guard that you have to fill with water to protect the sweet liquid inside. What stood out to me is that this feeder is leakproof and remains stable even during harsh climatic conditions. Also, as it is a saucer feeder, you can easily clean it by removing the top.
Pros
- Hook included for hanging in your garden
- Easy-to-clean saucer shape
- Comes with a nectar guard
Cons
- Not as durable plastic material
Also Consider
The Perky-Pet Hummingbird Feeder comes in a set of two beautiful glass hummingbird feeders that will enhance the beauty of your garden. These are inverted feeders, each with a storage capacity of 8 ounces. They feature ant moats and bee guards to prevent pests from entering the holder and they include flower ports in each feeding station for easy access to the nectar inside. This set also has removable parts so that you can clean it easily and get rid of all nectar remains from the bottom.
Pros
- Wide mouth for easy nectar refill
- Built-in ant moat and bee guards
- Four stations with flowers
Cons
- Chances of nectar leakage
Finding a Great Hummingbird Feeder: A Buying Guide
Hummingbird feeders can attract birds to your garden and, as a result, help with the proper growth of plants via pollination. If you’re anything like me, you love to see these birds flitter around your garden. And, as these little guys are always hungry, a good feeder will surely make them frequent visitors to your garden. But, before you go ahead and buy a feeder, it’s important to know the various types and features so that you make a wise purchase for these tiny birds.
What Are the Essential Things You Should Look For in a Hummingbird Feeder?
Types
There are two types of hummingbird feeders that you will come across in the market: inverted and saucer.
An inverted feeder comes in the shape of a bottle filled with nectar. These feeders have great capacity, and you can see the nectar level from the outside. They do not need as much liquid refilling. However, these feeders are prone to leakage and difficult to clean. Saucer feeders look more like bowl reservoirs where the nectar is kept in the center. Hummingbirds can easily drink the nectar by dipping their beaks. These feeders do not leak so, if you live in a windy area, they may be more suitable for you. However, they do not have much nectar storage capacity. Weight the benefits and choose a feeder that fits your lifestyle and local weather.
Size
The size of a feeder plays an important role when considering which to purchase. If you have a large number of hummingbirds visiting your garden, then a small feeder would be of no use. Instead, it would lead them to quarrel with each other. We recommend buying a large feeder for the birds as it can provide more space for them to sit and drink nectar. You can also go for a number of small feeders and put them in different locations in your garden. It would prevent the birds from crowding at a single place for nectar and allow the newcomers to get free meals.
Nectar Capacity
The capacity to store hummingbird food will help you determine the best feeder for your garden. If you don’t have much storage capacity for nectar, then you have to spend more time cleaning and refilling the feeder. The average storage capacity of a hummingbird feeder is 12 oz, which can last for at least three days. However, the storage capacity also depends on the number of birds that visit your garden. If you get more birds, then go for a higher storage capacity, with maybe four feeding ports so that you don’t have to refill it every day. If you run out of nectar, you can make your own; just check out this link here for more information.
Cleaning
Hummingbird feeders need cleaning before every refill to avoid the growth of bacteria. Inverted feeders are quite difficult to clean as the nectar debris forms a layer of 1 or 2 cm at the bottom, which can further create mold. If you do not clean the feeder before refilling, then the nectar layer can cause harm to the birds. Saucer holders are easy to clean as they have shallow dishes. While cleaning a bird holder, use a brush that can reach the bottom layer and clean thoroughly. We recommend using warm water for cleaning and avoiding dish soap completely.
Material
The construction material of a feeder plays an essential role in ensuring the product is safe for the birds. Most manufacturers use glass, plastic, or a mixture of both to construct a bird feeder.
Plastic feeders are lightweight, safe for the birds, and affordable. Glass hummingbird feeders are highly preferred by customers as they are easy to clean and come in various colors as well. In the case of mixed feeders, the bottle or storage container is made of glass, while the base is of plastic. These feeders provide good stability and can last for a long time.
Colors
Hummingbirds love color, especially the color red, and tend to visit gardens with colorful flowers like bee balm plants. Red, orange, yellow, and any other bright color appeal to these birds. Hence, when buying a feeder, it is important to go for one that has vibrant colors in it.
Pest Protection
Hummingbirds are not the only creatures that love nectar. There are ants and bees who are always after nectar and pounce upon any free meals available. Yellow jackets are one of them, who sometimes swarm hummingbird feeders and drive off birds. And no one wants that. So, we suggest looking for a feeder with ant moats and bee filters so that only hummers can enjoy the nectar. Ant moats and bee filters will prevent such pests from entering the feeder and drinking the hummingbird food.
Durability
A bird feeder that is not durable won’t last long in the open. There is a chance that your pets or other animals may knock down the feeder and damage it. Besides animals, climatic conditions can also cause damage to the product. Therefore, it is highly advisable to look for a bird feeder that is made of sturdy material, has good durability, and comes with a warranty as well.
People Also Asked
Is it important to buy a colorful feeder?
Yes, hummingbird feeders must be colorful to attract hummingbirds. These birds only visit gardens with colorful flowers, and a colorful feeder will attract them to the nectar.
Should I go for a bird feeder with perches?
It is not important to get a bird feeder with perches as hummingbirds fly while drinking nectar. However, a perch can be useful for other birds who visit your garden.
Where should I place my hummingbird feeder?
You should always place the feeder at least 10-feet from a flowerbed. It would help birds find the feeder and enjoy their free meal. Ensure that the feeder is in a visible area, otherwise, it would be of no use.
Are feeders easy to clean?
Your feeder should be easy to dismantle so that you can clean every part easily. It's good to clean them at least twice a week to avoid any bacterial buildup.
Are there any risks associated with having a hummingbird feeder in my garden?
If not properly maintained, hummingbird feeders can pose potential risks to both the birds and plants in your garden due to contamination from bacteria or mold which can grow on stagnant or unused nectar left in the feeders for an extended period of time. It is therefore important to regularly clean and refill your hummingbird feeder with fresh nectar as outlined above.
