Earthpalz

Humming Bird Feeders

A humming bird feeder can be one of the most rewarding bird feeder to have in your backyard for the purpose of bird watching. There is more effort in maintaining feeders to hold hummingbird food than any other feeder for attracting wild birds. But it is also the least expensive to fill.

Humming bird feeders will attract many other critters too, other than what they are designed to attract. There are a host of other birds who love to have a taste of this sweet nectar from time to time.

Hummingbird feeders, rather than dispensing seed, supply liquid nourishment to hummingbirds, in the form of a sugar solution. This mixture is often colored red to attract the birds, but this is unnecessary and the food coloring may be detrimental to the birds’ health.

Hummingbird feeders are available in many different styles. The common denominator among them is that they all hold liquid syrup which these little birds love. Even though they are available in many styles, there are basically only two types:

A pan or trough type.

Inverted syrup holder which works due to gravity or vacuum.

Each type of feeder can be purchased in different styles as many varieties are available like lollipop style, mobile style feeders, glass humming bird feeders etc. Hummer feeders can be mounted to windows for a great close up view of the little hummingbirds while they are drinking. Or they can be mounted on a pole. There are feeders designed to accommodate multiple visitors at one time or an individual user. It can be an awesome decision to go for a humming bird feeder.

A humming bird feeder is most often entirely made of plastic. But glass is becoming very popular as the syrup holder and metal for the drinking ports because of the benefits. The advantage of glass or metal is that they are easier to keep clean. Glass syrup holders provide a little insulation from the sun compared to plastic. They last longer because they are made of elements that don’t break down as quickly. Of course glass has the disadvantage of being breakable.

Plastic on the other hand is usually more economical to purchase. The disadvantage of plastic is that it is porous and may absorb smells and is therefore harder to clean. Plastic will also break down and need replacing sooner.

Some things to consider before going for a bird feeder:

The type of bird you want to attract.

Most birds have a feeding style and food preference.

Ease of cleaning.

Size of the feeder: how often will a feeder are refilled.

Tips on attracting humming bird to your feeders:

A feeder placed with sugar water will attract humming birds.

If you are placing a hummingbird feeder out for the first time, or you don’t see any hummingbirds visiting your feeder try placing it close to flowers where hummingbirds have been seen feeding. You can also tie 18 to 24 inch strips of red ribbon to the feeder. The blowing ribbons will make it easier for the hummingbirds to see.

Provide perching areas around your hummingbird feeders with various trees and shrubs at varying heights. Hummingbirds will need places to rest between feedings and like to perch in view of their nectar source.

Hummingbirds are very territorial and will aggressively protect nectar sources. To prevent a single hummingbird from monopolizing your feeder, place several feeders out of view of each other around your backyard. Or place a bunch of feeders together so no one individual hummingbird can possibly defend them all.

Provide nectar feeders at varying heights. Different hummingbird species will favor and defend different heights. Some hummingbird species like to feed at heights of 12 to 15 feet, while others typically feed on low growing flowers and will prefer feeders placed closer to the ground.