Hummingbirds are known for migrating around 3000 km every year during the spring season. These birds are a favorite of gardeners because they help plants with the process of pollination. Hummingbirds, however, 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 hummingbirds are known for having a large appetite, and nectar is their favorite food. 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 2023 that will help you to find the perfect feeder for your garden.
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 birds to your garden and, as a result, help with the proper growth of plants. 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 the 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.
There are two types of hummingbird feeders that you will come across in the market: inverted and saucer.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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. 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 will attract more birds.
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. 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.
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. It would simply be a waste of money to buy a new feeder every few months.
Attracting hummingbirds is very important for maintaining ecological balance. Hummingbirds are not only helpful with pollination but also maintain the food chain in gardens. They prevent insects and harmful bugs from destroying your plants and help spring blooms. A good hummingbird feeder can help attract 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.
This brightly colored hummingbird feeder from Rayhome has a plastic base that works perfectly with the silicone sealing ring. This makes the feeder 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.
If you have a large number of hummingbirds visiting your garden, then this feeder will help keep them 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 an amazing combination of bright colors to attract birds.
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.
The LUJII feeder is the most beautiful hummingbird feeder you can get on the market. It is made with high-quality glass and 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 those perks, it has five feeding ports with a perch for the birds to rest while having their meal. The manufacturers also provided a hook to hang this holder in your garden. You can also unscrew the bottle from the base to clean it effectively, making it a breeze to refill and clean.
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.
The BOLITE hummingbird feeder is designed to attract hummingbirds to your garden. It is constructed with a high-quality glass bottle that is attached to a copper plastic base, 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. Set yours up today!
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. Additionally, 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. Also, as it is a saucer feeder, you can easily clean it by removing the top. Enjoy yours today!
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 all of that, 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. We’re giving this our best overall award for these feeders’ great value, pretty design, and smart features.
A: 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.
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.
A: Your feeder should be easy to dismantle so that you can clean every part easily. It's good to clean them at least thrice a week to avoid any bacterial buildup. Charles van Reese, a conservation scientist, emphasizes the importance of cleaning your feeder. "You'll want to change the hummingbird food often (once very 4 days) or if you see any signs of things going stagnant. Mold and bacteria can quickly move into a hummingbird feeder if it isn't cleaned often and kept fresh, and can be dangerous for hummingbirds."
A: 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.
