The Best Hummingbird Feeders for Your Flying Friends
Hummingbirds are known for migrating around 3000 km every year during the spring season. These birds are the favorites of gardeners because they help plants in the process of pollination. However, hummers are quite picky when it comes to gardens as they only choose places with bright flowers and plants. To make these flying jewels visit your garden frequently, you need to use a nectar feeder as bait because they are known for having a large appetite and nectar is the favorite food of hummingbirds. Therefore, a hummingbird feeder with a good nectar storage capacity would be of great help to attract these small birds. Here, we have listed the seven best hummingbird feeders in 2022 that will help you to find the perfect feeder for your garden.
Finding a Great Hummingbird Feeder: A Buying Guide
Did you know hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world? Before we dive into how to attract them into your garden, check the video below for some fun facts.
Hummingbird feeders can attract hummers to your garden and help in proper growth of plants. Mix granulated white sugar with water to prepare hummingbird food. 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 is important to know its various types and factors so that you don’t purchase a wrong feeder that can hurt the birds in any way. That’s why we have curated this buying guide that covers all essential points to help you make a wise purchase for these small size birds.
What Are the Essential Things You Should Look For in a Hummingbird Feeder?
Types
There are two types of hummingbird feeders that you would 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 much time for 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 bills. These feeders do not leak and are perfect for rainy or windy areas. However, they do not have much nectar storage capacity.
Size
The size of a feeder plays an important role while purchasing one. 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 into quarreling 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 the storage capacity is less, then you have to spend more time cleaning and refilling the feeder. The average storage capacity of a hummingbird feeder is 12 oz that 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.
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.
On the other hand, 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 while 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 light in weight, safe for the birds, and affordable. However, they are quite difficult to clean as nectar gets stuck at the sides.
- Glass hummingbird feeders are highly preferred by customers as they are easy to clean and come in various colors as well. But, they have high chances of breaking during heavy storms and rains.
- In 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 color red and tend to visit gardens with colorful flowers like in bee balm plants. Red, orange, yellow, and any other bright color appeal to these birds. Hence, while buying a feeder, it is important to go for one that has vibrant colors in it. Red and yellow feeders are the most common ones that you would see in the market. However, it is better to go for a combination of all bright colors as it would attract more birds.
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 the hummers. Therefore, it is important to look 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 are high chances that your pets or other animals might knock the feeder and damage it. Besides, climatic conditions can also incur several damages to the product. Therefore, it is highly advisable to look for a bird feeder that is made with sturdy material, has good durability, and comes with a warranty as well. It would simply be a waste of money to buy a new feeder every few months.
Final words
Attracting hummingbirds is very important for mainting ecological balance. Hummers are not only helpful in pollination but also for maintaining the food chain in a garden. They prevent insects and harmful bugs from destroying your plants and help in spring blooms. A good hummingbird feeder can help a lot in attracting these birds and make them your regular guests. We hope that the products we have reviewed will help you in finding a nice feeder for your garden.
The Leading Hummingbird Models of 2022 Reviewed in Detail
Perky-Pet Glass Hummingbird Feeder
– Best Overall
The Perky-Pet feeder comes with 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 eight ounces. They have ant moats and bee guards to prevent pests from entering the holder.
Besides, these feeders feature beautiful 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.
- It has a wide mouth for easy refilling of nectar
- This feeder has built-in ant moat and bee guards to prevent pest attraction
- It comes with four feeding stations with beautiful flowers for attracting maximum birds
- There are chances of nectar leakage if the seal is not tight
RAYHOME Hummingbird Feeder
– Attractive Colors
This bright-colored hummingbird feeder from Rayhome has a plastic base that works perfectly with the silicone sealing ring. This makes the feeder even more airtight and ensures that nectar will not leak at all. When there is a lot of wind, you can secure the hummingbird feeder with 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. Even in the hottest summer, this plastic bird feeder doesn’t heat up quickly, allowing birds to enjoy their meal.
- Bright color design attracts birds
- Airtight and prevents leakage
- Slow to heat up in summers
- The base is slightly difficult to unscrew
Muse Garden Hummingbird Feeder
– Runner Up
If you have a large number of hummingbirds visiting your garden, then this feeder will help in feeding them all. It has a nectar capacity of 25 ounces and can last for at least three days. This feeder is made with glass and has an amazing combination of bright colors to attract birds.
Moreover, it has removable parts for easy cleaning and assembling. 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.
- It has a storage capacity of 25 ounces so that more birds can drink nectar
- The metal base comes with a perch for the hummingbirds to rest their feet
- The glass container is painted with bright colors to attract hummers
- The feeding tube is made of metal that can harm the bird’s tongue
LUJII Hand Blown Glass Feeder
– Honorable Mention
The LUJII feeder is the most beautiful hummingbird feeder you can get on the market. It is made with high-quality glass, painted with bright hues. This feeder can store 35 ounces of nectar and is easy to refill due to its wide mouth. As it has transparent glass, you can view the nectar quantity inside.
Besides, it has five feeding ports with a perch for the birds to rest while having their meal. The manufacturers also provide a hook to hang this holder in your garden. You can unscrew the bottle from the base to clean it effectively.
- It has a transparent glass bottle to view the quantity of nectar
- This feeder can store 35 ounces of nectar that last for more than three days
- It has ant moats to prevent ants from entering the nectar reservoir
- Some people might find it expensive
SEWANTA Hummingbird Feeder
– Contender
If you are looking for reliable hummingbird feeders that won’t burn a hole in your pocket, then you should definitely check out this set from SEWANTA. It has two pieces of hummingbird feeders that have stainless steel bases, plastic bottles, and iron hooks.
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 hummers than ever.
- This feeder can store 16 ounces of nectar so that birds don’t leave with an empty stomach
- It has a hermetic screw-in seal to prevent any nectar leakage from the bottle
- It has ten feeding ports located at optimum distance for multiple birds to feed at once
- It does not have any pest protection due to which bees might drink the nectar
BOLITE 18005 Hummingbird Feeder
– Also Consider
The BOLITE hummingbird feeder is designed to attract hummers to the garden. It is constructed with a high-quality glass bottle that is attached to a copper plastic base. This feeder can store up to 22 ounces of nectar and feed five birds at a time. It has removable parts, which makes the cleaning process easier and effective. Moreover, this feeder comes with a sturdy metal handle to hang in your garden.
- It has five different feeding ports for multiple birds to feed on the nectar at a time
- You can easily clean this feeder by unscrewing each part
- The red bottle and copper plastic base make this feeder highly attractive
- It is quite difficult to find as it gets sold out in no time
eWonLife Hummingbird Feeder
– Also Consider
This saucer feeder from eWonLife 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. Besides, it has a nectar guard that you have to fill with water to protect the sweet liquid inside. This feeder is leakproof and remains stable even during harsh climatic conditions. As it is a saucer feeder, you can easily clean it by removing the top.
- Each feeder has a hook for hanging it anywhere in your garden
- It is shaped like a saucer that makes it easier to clean
- It comes with a nectar guard to protect the liquid from pests
- This feeder is made of plastic due to which it is not durable
BRMBEI Premium Hummingbird Feeder
– Also Consider
If you are a fan of glass paintings, then this hummingbird feeder will appeal to your taste. It is made with hand-blown glass with colorful hues to give it an attractive look. You can easily view the quantity of nectar inside and know when to refill it. This feeder has a storage capacity of 30 ounces and can feed multiple birds at a time. Besides, it has food-grade silicone seals that prevent nectar leakage from the container. It also has ant moats so that pests don’t enter the nectar container.
- It has silicone seals to prevent nectar leakage from the container
- The base of this feeder is made with high-quality steel that keeps it stable in harsh climatic conditions
- It is painted with vibrant colors to attract more hummingbirds to the garden
- Some people might find it expensive as compared to other feeders
People Also Asked
A: Yes, hummingbird feeders must be colorful as they would attract hummingbirds. These birds only visit gardens with colorful flowers, and a colorful feeder will attract them towards the nectar.
A: 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.
A: 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.
