Hummingbirds are fascinating, attractive, and fun birds to watch. Instead of resorting to watching them online via a hummingbird cam, or watching hummingbird documentaries (I still do both of these), I started investigating how to attract hummingbirds to my backyard.
In my quest…
I put together a top list of the best hummingbird feeders to match my budget and needs.
In this article, I will share:
- The best hummingbird feeders
- Tips on what to look at when selecting a feeder
- Where to hang your hummingbird feeder
- Hummingbird feeder FAQs
So, let’s get right to it…
Top 5 Hummingbird Feeders
Shrdaepe Hummingbird Feeder
Editor's comments:
The Shrdaepe Hummingbird Feeder is perfect for novice hummingbird watchers. It’s simple and very easy to install and manage. It is equipped with 5 feeding ports to help maximize tthe number of hummingbirds that can feed at one time.- Design
- Easy to Clean
- Nectar Capacity
- Ease of Installation
- Nectar Capacity: 10-ounces
- Feeder Dimensions: 9 inches in height and 6.5 inches in diameter
- Feeding Ports: 5 yellow flower feeding ports
- Glass Design: Clear Glass Bottle
- Manufacturer: Shrdaepe
Overall Score
Bottom Line:
This is a basic, hummingbird feeder that is perfect for those looking to start. It is easy to use, clean, and hang in your backyard. While the capacity to lots of nectar is not as high as others in this list, it makes it easier to hang since weight is not as big of a factor.
Biggest Benefits
- No spillage with a protective double lid
- Easy to clean glass bottle
- Easy to install and hang with an S-hook
- 10-ounce nectar capacity and 5 feeding ports
Top Disadvantages
- The plastic base is not as durable
- Feeding ports too big where bees can fit
If you are looking for something simple that does the job of feeding hummingbirds effectively, then Shrdaepe’s hummingbird feeder is the perfect one to get.
It has got multiple feeding ports to accommodate up to 5 hummingbirds at once. The clear glass bottle makes it easy for you to clean and know when it’s time for you to refill it. The red accent on this feeder pops and can attract many hummingbirds in search of sweet nectar.
This feeder can carry up to 10 ounces of nectar. This will keep your hummingbirds full and happy for the rest of the day. Protect your nectar by placing water in its double lid.
Hang this hummingbird feeder on trees in your backyard with an S-hook included in the package.
More Birds Ruby Hummingbird Feeder
Editor's comments:
Simply designed with a glass bottle, the More Birds Ruby Hummingbird Feeder is as straightforward as it gets. The red accents are there to attract the hummingbirds and a glass bottle that can hold a10 ounces of nectar. It may not be a lot but this can get the bird’s attention.- Design
- Easy to Clean
- Nectar Capacity
- Ease of Installation
- Glass bottle: 10-ounce clear glass bottle
- Red accents: A red cap and base to attract more hummingbirds
- Ports and Perches: 5 ports nad perches to accommodate more hummingbirds
- Built-in ant moatFeature Content: Top ant moat to prevent ants in the nectar
- Manufacturer: More Birds
Overall Score
Bottom Line:
This feeder looks like a simplistic hummingbird feeder but has a few great options. For example, the ant moat prevents ants from getting to the sweet nectar. And, its bright colors and straightforward design attracts plenty of hummingbirds.
Biggest Benefits
- Bright red color to attract hummingbirds
- Clear glass bottle to see when it’s time to refill
- Removable base
- Top ant moat to protect the nectar
Top Disadvantages
- Smaller capacity than most hummingbird feeders
- Small opening for hanging on top of the feeder
The More Birds Ruby Hummingbird Feeder has a smaller capacity than the rest of the feeders on the list. However, it has a bright red cap and base to surely catch the attention of the hummingbird in your area.
Its feeding ports are flower-shaped and can accommodate multiple hummingbirds at a time. It also has an ant moat that can prevent them from getting into your nectar.
This feeder is very easy to clean with its removable base. You can simply wash this feeder with warm water and soap. The manufacturer does suggest keeping it away from the dishwasher. If you are looking to attract more hummingbirds into your backyard feeding station, this may be the one for you.
Juegoal Glass Hummingbird Feeders
Editor's comments:
We just love how this hummingbird feeder from Juegoal looks and works. The red glass just pops and attracts hummingbirds easily.It has a metal hanger that makes it very easy to install in a tree near the backyard. It also has a built-in ant moat that can prevent ants from infesting the feeder.
- Design
- Easy to Clean
- Nectar Capacity
- Ease of Installation
- Dimensions: 7.8 x 7.8 x 9.5 inches
- Metal Hanger: A metal hanger for safer installation
- Nectar Capacity: 28 fluid ounces
- Feeding Ports: 5 flower-shaped feeding ports
- Manufacturer: Juegoal
Overall Score
Bottom Line:
This hummingbird feeder has 5 feeding ports to attract multiple hummingbirds. It can hold a lot of nectar and due to its large capacity reservoir. And, it comes with a sturdy metal hanger, making it easy to hang.
Biggest Benefits
- Reg glass attracts more hummingbirds
- Large 28-ounce capacity
- Easy installation with a metal hanger
- Sturdy base with 5 feeding ports
Top Disadvantages
- Perches are too wide and slippery for the birds
- Reported rusting on the rivets of flower feeding ports
The Juegoal Glass Hummingbird Feeder is a sight for sore eyes. Its bright red glass lures in the hummingbirds to take a sip of the nectar that you offer. Easily install this feeder using the metal hanger that is built-in on top. You can hang it on the trees in your backyard.
It can carry up to 28 fluid ounces of nectar. It has 5 feeding ports and 5 perches so that the birds can enjoy a day of nectar sipping. The flower-shaped feeding ports are sure to catch the attention of the hummingbirds around your area. The price is not so bad either.
More Birds Amethyst Jewel Hummingbird Feeder
Editor's comments:
More Birds’ Amethyst Jewel Hummingbird Feeder is one of the classiest feeders on our list. The design and construction just speak elegance. The copper and the red flower accents can most definitely make you see more hummingbirds frequent your feeding station.- Design
- Easy to Clean
- Nectar Capacity
- Ease of Installation
- Nectar Capacity: 23 fluid ounces
- Feeder Dimensions: 6.3 x 6.3 x 9.9 inches
- Feeding Ports: 5 red flower feeding ports
- Glass Design and Metal Base: Amethyst glass with a copper finish
- Manufacturer: More Birds
Overall Score
Bottom Line:
This birdfeeder is an attactive and classy option for birders that want to class up their backyard with a classic feeding station designed for hummingbirds. One thing to note is the finish on this feeder will fade over time.
Biggest Benefits
- Large capacity bird feeder
- Easy to clean with the use of soap and water
- Beautiful antique design
- Sturdy base and top
Top Disadvantages
- Tinted glass fades over time
- Methyl base rusts and chips
The More Birds Amethyst Jewel Hummingbird Feeder is on our list for a reason. Not only does it catch the eyes of anyone who sees it, but also the birds. The antique amethyst color and design are some of the best-designed feeders we’ve seen. Although some users have reported some fading as time passed.
This feeder is equipped with 5 feeders and ring-shaped perch to accommodate more birds at the same time. The feeding ports are red-colored and flower-shaped to better attract hummingbirds to the feeder.
It is an easy clean glass feeder that the manufacturer recommends washing by hand with warm soapy water. The base is also detachable to clean thoroughly. This More Birds Amethyst Jewel Hummingbird Feeder can help you attract more hummingbirds to your backyard feeder.
Muse Garden Hummingbird Feeder
Editor's comments:
The Muse Garden Hummingbird Feeder is a great addition to any backyard feeding station with its vibrant colors attracting the hummingbirds.We love that it is made from all recycled materials that help preserve our planet for future generations of both humans and birds.
- Design
- Easy to Clean
- Nectar Capacity
- Ease of Installation
- Dimensions: 6.38 x 6.38 x 8.27 inches
- Construction Material: Hand blown glass
- Nectar capacity: 25 fluid ounces
- Ease of use: Easy to assemble, fill, and clean with a leak-proof gasket
- Manufacturer: Muse Garden
Overall Score
Bottom Line:
A sturdy and colorful hummingbird feeder for your backyard. It is beautifully designed and made with recycled materials, making it a great, colorful, eco-friendly feeder to attract hummingbirds.
Biggest Benefits
- Large nectar capacity
- The large opening on the glass makes it easier to fill and clean
- Hand blown glass design with vibrant colors
- Sturdy construction
Top Disadvantages
- Feeding port flowers break easily
- Attachment rings of the flower design are sharp
The Muse Garden Hummingbird Feeder is one of the most beautiful things that you can hang in your backyard. The hand-blown colorful glass design can surely attract many hummingbirds to your feeding station. This is a delight for all the birders who want to take a snapshot of these beautiful birds.
It has a large capacity that can carry 25 fluid ounces of nectar. The base of this feeder is equipped with 4 perches and 4 feeding ports where hummingbirds can enjoy a day of nectar sipping. The base also includes an ant moat that protects your nectar from sweet-toothed ants.
The beautiful feeding station is very easy to use. It gives you a large opening so that you can easily clean the insides of the glass. It is also easy to refill the nectar. IThe base is also protected from any leaks with a leak-proof gasket.
The best part of this feeder is that it is all made from recycled materials that could one day save our environment.
Buyer’s Guide To Selecting The Best Hummingbird Feeder
Design
Be sure to look for hummingbird feeders that have a simple design. That is, look for a feeder that is easy to hang, take down for refilling, open for refilling, etc.
But…
you don’t need to sacrifice great looks for functionality. There are plenty of options that feature great form and function!
Color
Hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors. I find that red bases with yellow flowers tend to work the best, especially when buying your first feeder.
Ease of Cleaning
I fill my feeders often. And, I fill them with sugar water. If you guessed that they get sticky fairly quickly, you guessed correctly!
So,
I like to find feeders that are easy to take down, bring inside and clean. I encourage you to do the same, that way you won’t look at cleaning and refilling as a huge chore.
And…
your hummingbird friends will love you for it!
How and Where to Place Hummingbird Feeders To Attract Them
Hummingbirds regularly visiting your garden can make it that much more interesting and visually delightful, as the little colorful birds add to its relaxing environment. You can attract these visits from the birds if you strategically place hummingbird feeders in your garden.
Hummingbirds must be able to see your feeders and if you can hang them in dappled sunlight (trees and plants can help here) then your feeder will sparkle and shine and become more visible. Place them at spots that are also easily visible to you from your porch, deck or windows of your home, so that you can watch the birds as they take a sip from the feeder. They must, therefore, be within visible distance from your homes, as hummingbirds are very small and not easy to see.
Do not keep the feeders too close to your windows, as hummingbirds can fly into the glass and get injured. Position the feeders in open spots so that the birds feel comfortable. A dense brush can act as a disincentive for frequent visits. Feeders need to be able to catch the sunlight as then it will also make it more visible to any birds that are passing them. At the same time, they must be shielded from the hot sun. Make sure that the feeders are also in places that are easy for you to reach so that it is easy for you to clean them and refill them when needed.
Most of the nectar that hummingbirds feed on is made from a solution of refined white sugar and water, and you can always make it yourself or buy readymade nectar from pet shops. Make a large batch and store the excess in your refrigerator. This nectar also attracts other pests and predators, and you will have to be careful that your placement of feeders does not allow them easy access. Hummingbirds fly in and can reach even the most difficult spots, with their control over the wings and their ability to hover.
Hummingbirds are territorial and one aggressive bird can drive away others. Always hang multiple feeders, sufficiently spaced so that your garden can be visited by a larger number of hummingbirds. Keep the feeders away from busy pathways or children’s play areas, as if they leak or are in breezy spots the leaked sugar water can make your area below sticky and dirty. Your feeders must have perches so that the birds can rest when they are not feeding. Their time for feeding occupies only 20 percent of the time, and they do need a place to rest the rest of the time.
Now that you have got your feeders and placed them at the right spots, you also need to know how to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Add a new native plant species in your garden as suggested by experts, and see that your garden has varieties of plants that ensure a continuous blooming schedule. This will ensure that hummingbirds always visit your garden. This can be helpful late in the season when you have fewer flowers and more hummingbirds. Constantly remove old flowers and blossoms as then plants respond by increasing the production of flowers.
Hummingbirds are attracted by bright colors and hanging bright-colored ribbons on your trees and plants, or even railings or any place that is near to the feeders will help them to spot these when they are flying, and they will then come down for a closer look, and then also visit your feeders. See that your feeders also are not dull and always sparkle, even if it means that you have to repaint them or just put on a coat of red-colored nail polish. You can always opt to simply replace your old feeders once they have lost their glitter and shine. Look at plastic feeders that can be heavy, durable, and colorful.
These birds beat their wings at 80 beats per second and this does make them expend a lot of energy and thus the need for constant rest 80 percent of the time. It can help if they have places near the feeders where they can perch and also keep an eye on the feeders, or look for the occasional insect that flies and provides a tasty bite. Add misters to your garden hose that can create small sprays or trickles of water, that hummingbirds delight to get wet in. Leave the spider webs in your garden alone as hummingbirds do use them for their nests.
Hummingbird Feeder FAQs
Can I feed hummingbirds a mixture of sugar and water?
Yes! Though hummingbirds feed on different things such as small insects and tree sap, they tend to favor nectar from flowers. When there are no flowers in bloom, you can ensure that hummingbirds eat right by providing a mixture of water and sugar in feeders. Ideally, you should only use white sugar. Your sugar water mixture should be in the ratio of one cup of sugar to four cups of tap or spring water. Avoid using brown sugar, powdered sugar, honey or any artificial sweeteners when making sweetened water for your hummingbird feeders.
What do hummingbirds eat in the winter season?
The primary diet for hummingbirds is nectar from different flower species. During the winter season, flowers are not usually in bloom which means that hummingbirds have to rely on an alternative source of food. To survive winter, hummingbirds tend to eat small insects such as gnats, spiders, flies, tree hoppers and small grasshoppers. During winter, you can supplement the diet of hummingbirds by providing sugared water in feeders. Sugared water will act as an alternative to the nectar that these birds are used to sourcing from blooming flowers.
Do hummingbirds consume fruits?
Contrary to popular belief, hummingbirds DO NOT actually eat fruits. If you have seen them hanging close to or on a ripe fruit, it is most likely that they were simply sampling any fruit sap that may be coming from the fruit. However, fruits play an important role in providing hummingbirds with an essential part of their diet. Remember hummingbirds consume small insects, gnats and fruit flies. Ripe fruits tend to attract these insects thus providing these birds with a ready and easily accessible source of food. If you have hummingbird feeders in your property, you can provide these birds with a wholesome diet by cutting up small pieces of sweet fruits such as bananas, melons and oranges and placing them close to your feeder. Insects and flies will be attracted to the fruit pieces providing a great meal for hummingbirds in the vicinity.
Can the sugar solution in a hummingbird feeder be too sweet?
When preparing a nectar solution for your humming bird feeders, mixing sugar and water in the wrong proportions can lead to the preparation of a mixture that is too sweet for the birds. Remember that the sugar solution you will be putting in feeders is a replacement for nectar and as such, it should be closely identical to actual nectar. You can make your nectar solution akin to actual nectar by mixing one cup of white refined sugar to four cups of water. A properly mixed sugar solution that has the sweetness levels of real nectar will help hummingbirds maintain balanced levels of metabolism. If the solution is mixed disproportionately and it turns out to be too sweet, hummingbirds can develop liver and reproductive problems. If your solution has been improperly mixed and it is either not sweet enough or too sweet, the hummingbirds in your property will leave and try to find more appropriate food.
When is the best time to put out my hummingbird feeders?
It all depends on your location. The migration patterns of hummingbirds vary and this makes its hard to pinpoint the most ideal time to put out feeders. On average, for most areas across the United States, putting out your feeders from early to mid-march would be ideal. However, if you reside along coastal areas in the United States, South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, you can put out your feeders all year round. To understand the best time to put out your feeders, gauge the existing hummingbird population in your area and also look at the current migratory patterns of these birds.
What should I put in my hummingbird feeder?
Your hummingbird feeder should contain a sugar solution that can act as a source of nectar to these birds. Keep in mind that providing a nectar solution is not enough… It has to be right kind of sugar solution. Your feeder should contain a solution made from one cup white sugar and four cups of water. Make sure that you do not use any substitutes to white refined sugar. Avoid using brown or unrefined sugar, honey, glucose or any kind of artificial sweeteners. Apart from harming the hummingbird population in your property, substitutes can force these birds to migrate from your property in search of a better prepared nectar solution. Remember to ensure that you clean your feeders regularly so as to keep feeding hummingbirds in great health.
Where should I place my hummingbird feeders?
Ideally, your feeders should be placed above ground in a shaded part of your property. To attract hummingbirds to your feeder, consider placing the feeder next to an area with a lot of flora. This will make the hummingbirds in your property feel like they are in their natural habitat. You should avoid placing your feeders in a place with direct sunlight since it will make the sugar water solution to ferment and go bad quickly. You should also avoid putting your feeders in a place with a lot of animal traffic or predators which may attack the birds as they are feeding or consume the nectar solution.
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