Bird Feeder – BestBirdGuide

If you love hummingbirds, you likely already know that the perfect feeder is what you need if you want to see as many of these adorable creatures as possible when they’re flying through your area. There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds, and they all migrate south during the spring and summer months. In fact, in some parts of the southern United States, you can actually keep your feeder out all year long; however, if you notice that the birds have disappeared, you can save your nectar and put away your hummingbird feeder for the year. Best Hummingbird Feeders For Your Backyard Choosing a feeder for your hummingbirds isn’t difficult. Just keep in mind that contrary to popular belief, you should never add red food coloring to the feeder. The dye is actually bad for their health. While it’s true that hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, as long as you choose a feeder that has some red on it, the hummingbirds will be attracted to it. In fact, as long as these cute little fliers see red somewhere in the vicinity, they will automatically fly to it and start to look for something to sip on. The red doesn’t have to be the color of the bottle or the nectar itself. There are also tons of designs and colors when it comes to hummingbird feeders, and below are some of the best ones currently on the market. 1. WOSIBO 34-Ounce Hummingbird Feeder - Best For Attracting More Hummingbirds This brightly colored glass feeder comes with a hanging hook, rope, and a brush for cleaning the feeding ports. Because of this, you can hang it up immediately after taking it out of the package and begin enjoying your tiny new friends in no time. It is also available in both red and blue, although the feeding ports on both models are a nice red color. It is also rather large, being 9” x 5” in size, and its beauty is certain to be noticed by both the birds and any visitors to your home. The WOSIBO feeder sells for around $27 so it is very affordable, and the wide-mouth reservoir makes it easy to assemble, clean, and refill with fresh nectar. It even comes with an ant moat that keeps ants away from the feeder so that they don’t inundate the birds’ food source. It is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for feeder that also looks great in your yard. Because the design is similar to real flowers, hummingbirds are easily attracted to it. Finally, it has a gasket that prevents the feeder from leaking, meaning that your hummingbirds will never miss out on that sweet nectar. Pros- Is clear enough to see how much nectar is left in the feeder at all times Comes with its own ant moat for convenience Comes with everything you need to start enjoying it immediately Is very reasonably priced Cons- Some consider it too small Some think that the base gets a bit hot sometimes Check Price on Amazon 2. Oppower Hand-Blown Glass Hummingbird Feeder - Best For Accessibility Complete with an ant moat and hook, this feeder is ready to go as soon as you get it out of the box. It is gorgeous with its bright red designs and red feeding ports, and at just under $17, it won’t break the bank when you buy it. It holds a full 26 ounces of nectar and is super easy to clean. If you already have a hummingbird feeder, you know how difficult it can be to clean it, but this particular feeder has a leak-proof gasket and is the perfect size for holding the amount of nectar you need. Because of this feeder’s bright and shiny appearance, you can attract even more hummingbirds by hanging it anywhere in your yard because the birds will automatically notice it. It has a wide-mouth reservoir for easy cleaning and excellent seals that prevent it from leaking. The glass is thick and sturdy, which means that you don’t have to worry much about breakage. You’re even getting a feeder made from eco-friendly materials when you buy this one. If you want your feeder to look great and work great, this is the one for you. Pros- The bright-red color attracts tons of hummingbirds It is very reasonably priced It is super easy to assemble, clean, and refill with nectar It comes with two different hooks for the perfect hanging Cons- Some complaints about it leaking Some complaints about bees getting into the holes Check Price on Amazon 3. eWonLife Leakproof Hummingbird Feeder - Best For More Birds Seating Capacity If you’re looking for a basic feeder that works but doesn’t cost a fortune, this is the one you want. At just under $12, it is affordable for everyone and its basic but attractive design is enough to attract quite a few hummingbirds to your yard. The feeder itself is clear, while the base is the bright-red color that all hummingbirds love. It comes with its own hanger and has five feeder ports for the birds to enjoy, not to mention a small ledge for them to perch on as they sip their next meal. This wide-mouth feeder is super easy to clean and is leak-proof, so you never have to worry about the nectar being wasted in between the birds’ feeding times. There is a built-in ant moat for convenience, and all you do to refill it is pop the top open and fill it up with nectar or sugar water. This is an easy-to-use feeder that is built to last, and it’s so inexpensive that you can buy several of them without going broke, which means that you can enjoy lots of hummingbirds in your yard in no time! Pros- Perfect for people who want a good feeder at a low price Comes with five feeding ports instead of four Super easy to clean Comes with a perch for birds to use while eating Cons- Some complain that it is a little crooked once hung Some complaints about the bees using the feeder Check Price on Amazon 4. BOLITE Hummingbird Feeder For just under $18, you wouldn’t expect a hummingbird feeder to be so nice, yet here it is! It has a base that looks like brass, bright-red feeding ports that are sure to attract the birds’ attention, and a beautiful ball-shaped bottle that holds 18 ounces of nectar or sugar water. The bottle is textured for an even fancier look, and you can get it in lavender as well. The two-part base and wide-mouth opening are the reason why it is so easy to clean and to refill, and you even get a metal hanger to attach to the nearest tree. This feeder even has a translucent bottle that allows you to see how much nectar you have left at any time, and it’s so attractive that hummingbirds are guaranteed to come flocking to it every day during their migration. It is an eye-catching feeder that is both attractive and functional, and its 7” x 6” size is just perfect for the tree or any other structure made for hanging things. Easy to use and very reasonably priced, it’s easy to understand why people would want to buy several of them for their backyards. Pros- Has a unique shape and textured look Comes in both blue and lavender Is easy to tell when nectar is low and needs to be refilled Is a very classy, artsy design Cons- Some complaints that the metal parts rusted quickly Some complaints about it leaking Check Price on Amazon 5. More Birds Vintage Hummingbird Feeder The name of this feeder says it all -- more birds! Its vintage design makes it absolutely stunning with its metal top, metal base, and a bottle that looks like an antique medicine bottle. It is priced at around $25 and is therefore affordable, and it has five feeding ports for birds to enjoy. It also holds a total of 13 ounces of nectar or sugar water, and the metal hanger makes it easy to hang on your tree or elsewhere. The red metal feeding ports with bee guards are easy for the birds to see and will make them anxious to come towards it and start eating. In addition to all of this, the feeder has a wide mouth that makes refilling it a breeze, as well as a bottle that is red in color, which means that you won’t have to harm the hummingbirds by adding red food coloring to your water. This brightly colored, eye-catching feeder is all you’ll need to lure the hummingbirds in and make them glad that they stopped at your house. Plus, at 13 ounces in capacity, you’ll be offering the birds just enough to eat without keeping it in there for too long and therefore having the nectar go bad. Pros- Comes with a perch for the birds to enjoy while eating Is a beautiful shade of red to attract more birds Is very easy to clean and to refill Is very reasonably priced Cons- Some complaints about leakages Some claims that the red paint comes off the feeder quickly Check Price on Amazon 6. LUJII Hummingbird Feeder This is a 36-ounce feeder with a beautiful bulb-shaped bottle that is blue in color and decorated in other colors. It comes in red as well, and it is 11.5’ x 5.5” in size. Made out of hand-blown glass by skilled artisans, the pigment is embedded into the two layers of glass, meaning that it won’t fade or change color with time. Because the glass is clear, you can easily see how much nectar is left, and the wide-mouth reservoir makes it super easy to both clean and refill it when you need to do so. It is priced at just under $40 and is therefore a little more expensive than other feeders, but in return, you get a high-quality hummingbird feeder that is built to last a very long time. It also has a total of five flower-shaped feeding ports to keep the birds comfortable while they drink. To clean it, all you do is unscrew the bottle from the base and start cleaning. The bulb shape is its most unique feature, but this isn’t the only feature that will make you happy you bought this particular feeder! Pros- Made to last a very long time Comes with an ant moat to keep insects away Won’t fade or discolor over time Holds a whopping 36 ounces of nectar Cons- Some complaints about it leaking Some complaints about it rusting 7. Juegoal Glass Hummingbird Feeder Glass hummingbird feeders are some of the most popular ones out there and as soon as you buy one, you’ll understand why! This 26-ounce feeder is gorgeous because it looks just like a red soda bottle, only a little more sophisticated and fancy. There is a metal hanger that is sturdy enough to accommodate all the trees in your yard, and its five feeding ports mean that a lot of hummingbirds will be able to enjoy the nectar you put out for them. In addition, at just under $20, the feeder is affordable for everyone. It is also a little larger than other hummingbird feeders at roughly 9” x 7”. The feeding ports are bright red in color and are certain to attract the birds’ attention, and there is a convenient perch by each of the ports that allows the birds to relax as they sip! It is super easy to clean and fill and comes with a durable ABS plastic base, allowing it to last for many years to come. If you adore glass feeders but don’t want to spend a ton of money on one, the Juegoal feeder is perfect for you. Pros- Never attracts wasps, bees, or other insects Is very reasonably priced for the amount of nectar it holds Attracts tons of hummingbirds quickly after installation Has a very distinct, classy look Cons- Some complaints about the perches being too hot for birds to sit on Some claims that the nectar doesn’t always seep quickly into the base 8. Grateful Gnome Glass Hummingbird Feeder Okay, this one may have an odd shape to some people, but it’s a unique one nonetheless. It is shaped to resemble a mushroom and is red and orange in color, making it certain to attract both hummingbirds and the attention of anyone who visits your home. There is a metal hook included to hang it on a tree or hanger, and it is leak-proof as well. The base consists of four feeding ports complete with a perch and brightly colored red flowers so that even more birds are attracted to it, which is what everyone wants. Better still, no two of these feeders are alike because each one is hand-blown and therefore unique. For just under $33, you get a one-of-a-kind original that looks great and does a great job of attracting tons of hummingbirds. Thick and durable, the bottle is painted on both layers of the glass, meaning that it won’t fade or become damaged over time. Despite the gorgeous color, you can still see how much nectar is in the bottle at all times, making it super easy to refill the bottle whenever you need to. 9. Birds’ Choice 8-Ounce Hummingbird Feeder The best hummingbird feeder isn’t always the fanciest feeder, and that’s just what this feeder made by Birds’ Choice proves. It has a bright-red base and a clear glass bottle, and it is sold in a pack of two feeders for roughly $29, making it affordable as well as functional. The base is easy to clean and the feeder is super easy to fill. The base even comes with a perch to keep the birds comfortable as they sip their nectar. The screw-on base means that it’s easy to maneuver, and the price is so reasonable that anyone can afford to have several sets of them in their yard. In addition, the roughly 12” x 10” size means that it will look stunning in your yard, and it is lightweight enough to move it from one location to another whenever you wish to do so. Better still, there is a total of eight feeding ports on each of the feeders, making room for tons of hummingbirds who are going to love coming into your yard on a regular basis! They are also so well made that they won’t leak, which means no wasted nectar or sugar water, and that is always a good thing! 10. Birdream 22-Ounce Glass Hummingbird Feeder Looking a bit like a large red pineapple, this honeycomb-shaped feeder is both gorgeous and functional, not to mention affordable at around $24. The base is finished copper and contains three bright-red feeding ports shaped like flowers, and it fits tightly so that nectar never leaks out of it. It is roughly 7” x 5” in size and the glass is clear enough to determine how much nectar it is holding at any point. The look and feel of this feeder is more nostalgic and vintage than anything else, so it is one that you’ll want to keep around for many years to come. The feeder also comes with its own metal hanger, allowing you to easily and quickly hang it anywhere you like. And with a full 22-ounce capacity, your hummingbirds will be able to feast on quite a bit of nectar in between feeding times. If you want a unique and very attractive bird feeder that doesn’t cost a fortune, the Birdream feeder is for you. The feeding ports are even big enough for the birds to perch on and relax as they’re sipping their sweet nectar! What to Feed Your Hummingbirds? While there is a lot of commercial hummingbird food on the market, some people choose to make their own nectar to put in their feeders. Either of these is fine, of course, but you should first learn exactly what these tiny birds can and cannot consume. Many people are unaware that hummingbirds can consume more than just sweet nectar, and once you offer them these food items, you’ll notice that the hummingbird population in your yard has greatly increased. A commercial hummingbird food product is always going to be good for these birds, but you can also make your own nectar by combining sugar and water. Hummingbirds have voracious appetites and usually eat about a dozen times an hour, mostly filling up on sugar that their little bodies need to be in almost continuous flight. If you make your own nectar, make sure that you utilize a 4:1 or 3:1 water-to-sugar ratio so that it’s sweet enough to attract the birds but not so sweet that it’s bad for them. If you want to attract even more hummingbirds, place a piece of fruit on the tree close to the feeder so that they can enjoy the sweet juice that comes with it. Fruits are also good because it will attract ants and fruit flies, and these are the insects that hummingbirds love to eat. As long as hummingbirds know that your house is the one they can go for something good to eat, they’ll keep coming back for more in the future! For best results, try fruits that are fleshy and red or pink on the inside, such as watermelon, grapefruits, or blood oranges. Factors to Consider When Buying a Hummingbird Feeder So, you’ve decided you want a hummingbird feeder because those adorable little fliers are birds you just can’t resist. If you go online and start looking at different feeders, it may feel a bit overwhelming because there are so many types available on the market. Don’t worry, though, because once you learn a little about the features that make the feeders different from one another, it becomes a little easier to decide which one you should buy. Vacuum versus Saucer Feeders There are two basic kinds of hummingbird feeders: vacuum and saucer. The vacuum hummingbird feeders are the kind that most people think of when they think of a hummingbird feeder. They basically resemble inverted bottles and have a reservoir at the bottom that the nectar goes into. They usually have a hook-like device at the top that you can place either directly on a tree branch or on a shepherd’s hook in your yard. They usually hold more nectar than the saucer-type feeders simply because they are larger. Many hold a full 32 or even 36 ounces of nectar, which is quite a lot. The saucer feeders resemble small bowls and have a hook connected to them that you can hang the feeder from. These are usually small and can hold as little as 8 ounces of nectar, although they can hold more in many cases. Some people prefer these simply because they are small, while other people prefer vacuum types because they are larger. At this point, you’re probably thinking that when it comes to hummingbird feeders, the bigger the better, right? Not necessarily. One of the things you’ll have to get used to when you have hummingbird feeders is to clean the feeders on a regular basis whether they are empty or not. The fresher the hummingbird nectar is, the more birds the feeder will attract. Most experts recommend cleaning the feeder a minimum of twice a week, more often if the temperature is in the 90s or higher. Many people change the nectar in their feeders every two to three days just to make sure that the hummingbirds keep coming back on a regular basis. For this reason, and especially if you notice that not a lot of hummingbirds are visiting your feeders, you might want to stick with smaller feeders. The choice is yours, of course. If you attract a lot of hummingbirds, more nectar will be consumed, but even if some of the nectar is left in the feeder on the days you’ve decided to change the solution, you still need to change it regularly. I would recommend to go for the below feeder, you can choose between the small and large feeeder depending upon how many hummingbirds do come at your feeder regularly. Pay Attention to the Feeding Ports The feeding ports are where the hummingbirds drink the nectar from, and they can be plain holes or covered with plastic flowers. Since hummingbirds are attracted to the color red, many of these flowers are bright red, and you should get these red flowers if the base or the container itself isn’t red. The hummingbird feeder you choose can have as few as four feeding ports or as many as ten, and the more ports you have, the more hummingbirds can feed off of the feeder at once. Just make sure that something on the feeder is red so that the tiny fliers will be attracted to it -- something other than sugar water with red food coloring in it, that is! Another important tip is to find a feeder with bee guards on it. Otherwise, bees and other insects can steal the hummingbirds’ food! Bee guards easily snap over the feeding ports and are too small for bees to get into them. And while you’re at it, make sure that the feeder you purchase has something called an ant moat, which prevents ants from getting into the nectar. (Looking For Squirrel Proof Feeders - Here's a List for You) Some feeders come with these moats or have them built into the feeder, while with others, you have to buy the ant moat separately. Either way, an ant moat is important. Finally, here are a few additional tips to follow when you’re looking for the perfect hummingbird feeder: Don’t go by looks alone; make sure that the feeder has all of the important features you need. Find one that’s easy to clean. A vacuum feeder with a narrow neck or a saucer feeder with very small holes are the hardest to clean. They make tiny brushes that allow you to clean the feeding ports, however, and they are very cheap. Perches are nice because they allow you to look at the birds longer, since they tend to eat for a longer period of time when sitting on a perch; however, they are not necessary for a good feeder. It’s best to start with a small feeder, then add more feeders if more hummingbirds come to feast in your yard. You can keep adding feeders rather than buying bigger feeders because remember, you’ll have to change the nectar frequently regardless of the size of the feeder. Glass or plastic? It’s up to you. Neither offers advantages over the other, except maybe for the fact that the glass ones tend to be a little fancier in design. There are few thrills bigger than seeing dozens of these adorable hummers in your yard day after day, and it all starts with choosing the right feeder. If you’re still unsure which type of feeder to choose, ask around -- preferably with someone who has a lot of hummingbirds in their own yard! Frequently Asked Questions About Hummingbird Feeders(FAQs) Attracting hummingbirds isn’t that difficult, but if you aren’t having any success, take a look at the following questions, whose answers may help you determine what you might be doing wrong. Q: Why should I avoid red food coloring in my hummingbird feeder? I thought hummingbirds love red! A: Hummingbirds’ tiny digestive systems can only handle certain types of foods, and simply put, food dye is just not good for them. In fact, dyes can be dangerous and even deadly to them. If you wish to feed them something other than nectar or sugar water, try placing pieces of fleshy fruit such as watermelon, blood oranges, and red grapefruits on the tree branches near where the feeder is. Q: How long should I keep my hummingbird feeder up? A: It’s best to keep the feeder up until you have noticed no hummingbirds coming to it for about two weeks. That way, you can feed any stragglers that may have fallen behind. If the weather is warm where you are, you can leave one feeder up all year long. An important exception to this rule is when the nighttime temperature falls to below freezing. When this happens, you should take the feeder down because a hard freeze could damage it. Q: Does my entire feeder have to be red in order to attract hummingbirds? A: No. You can have that much red, of course, but as long as something is red on the feeder, the hummingbirds will notice and come to visit it! This is why the base, plastic flowers, or the feeder itself is usually bright red. Q: Can I make my own nectar, or is commercial nectar the best way to go? A: You can choose either. If you make your own sugar water, choose either a 3:1 or 4:1 water to sugar ratio, and always boil the water if you choose tap water. If you buy your water instead of getting it from the tap, make sure that it’s spring water for the best results. Q: Other than commercial nectar and sugar water, can I put anything else in my hummingbird feeder? A: No. Commercial nectar is made just right to meet a hummingbird’s nutritional needs, and so is sugar water if you make it correctly. Other than these two things, we don’t recommend putting any other type of food into a hummingbird feeder. Q: My hummingbirds stop coming around occasionally. Can you tell me why? A: It could be any number of things, from your noisy neighbors to a nearby home that is offering more nectar for them to enjoy. Hummingbirds sometimes stop coming around for a while and you won’t always know why, but as long as you keep putting fresh nectar or sugar. Other Hummingbird Feeders That You can Buy Perky-Pet Antique Green Hummingbird Feeder Perky-Pet has been making these feeders forever so they know exactly what they’re doing. This particular feeder is green in color, made out of glass, and has a 10-ounce capacity. The base of the feeder is brushed nickel and therefore very attractive, and it contains four bright-red feeding ports that resemble flowers and are certain to attract all of the nearby hummingbirds. At roughly 10” x 6”, it is a great size to hang from the tree in your yard, and it is certain to catch the attention of many a hummingbird! The Perky-Pet feeder costs around $16 and comes in clear and red as well as green. At this price, you can easily afford to purchase as many of these hummingbird feeders as you like. It is easy to care for and easy to refill when you need to, and for your visitors who are only used to seeing commonplace red feeders, this one is certain to catch their attention. The bottle itself resembles an upside-down soda bottle with a slightly antique look, so it is certain to look great in everyone’s yard. Aspects Hanging Hummingbird Feeder Simple and easy to use, this isn’t the fanciest feeder that you’ll ever buy, but it is certainly one of the most efficient ones. It holds 12 ounces of nectar and consists of a bright-red attractive base with a built-in ant moat in the middle and a sturdy hook that allows you to quickly hang it from any tree in your yard. Its round shape has a convenient perch all the way around it that the birds can sit on while sipping their meal, as well as four feeding ports that resemble flowers to attract as many hummingbirds as possible. It is made out of polycarbonate, which is virtually impossible to break, and it is easily separated for whenever you need to clean the bowl or fill it up with additional nectar or sugar water. With a simple, basic design and a great price of around $27, there’s nothing simple about the way it attracts hummingbirds to your yard! It is roughly eight inches in diameter and sits up high in the tree, allowing the birds to enjoy their view as they enjoy their nectar and gather more energy for their day-to-day activities. Lulu Home 12-Ounce Hummingbird Feeder This is another basic feeder for those people who don’t want anything fancy or too large. The dome-shaped base is bright red and has bright-yellow flowers, in addition to a total of four feeding ports that are certain to attract the birds’ attention. The ant and insect moat is built into the unit for convenience, and its price of only $14.99 means that it is super easy for you to buy many of these feeders if that’s what you want to do. It can be hung with the basic metal hook that’s included with the feeder, and it is super easy to use and to clean. The base even has a perch all the way around it so that hummingbirds can remain comfortable as they eat, and the unique sealing rings prevent almost all leaking from occurring. At roughly eight inches in diameter, the feeder is the perfect size because even if it attracts tons of hummingbirds to your yard, it can accommodate those hungry little birds every time. It is also lightweight and therefore easy both to clean and to move from one location to another whenever you need to do so. SEWANTA Hummingbird Feeders Sold in a package of two feeders, the set is roughly $23 and is made out of heavy-duty plastic and a stainless steel and iron base and hook. The base is bright red and there is a total of ten bright-yellow feeding ports that resemble flowers and therefore attract hummingbirds quickly and easily every time. The base is a round tray and even has a perch all the way around it, enabling the hummingbirds to rest comfortably as they sip on the sugar they need for their days in migration. Thanks to the way that the feeders are made, they are leak-proof and therefore don’t let you waste a lot of your nectar or sugar water. They are super easy to clean and to refill with nectar, and when you need to wash them, simply do so with a little soap and warm water. The bottles are clear; therefore, it’s easy to see how much nectar you have left. These are very low-maintenance feeders because they require little work to remain functional. Better yet, at $23 for a set, you can easily afford to get as many of them as you like, even if your yard is quite large. Nature’s Way Top Fill Hummingbird Feeder This hummingbird feeder is made a little different than most of the others. For starters, it is hung on the tree with a hook that is connected to a total of three different chains, and the feeder itself is balanced by those three chains. It is round and blue in color but consists of three feeding ports with bright-red ports made to resemble flowers, which is the perfect way to attract hummingbirds! The contrast of the blue feeder and the bright-red flowers makes it nothing short of stunning, and at a price of around $35, it won’t break the bank to have something this gorgeous to put in your yard. The feeder is roughly eight inches in diameter and is filled with nectar through the top part, and the glass is hand-blown so that no two feeders are exactly alike. There is a silicone gasket on the lid to prevent it from leaking, and the extra-wide opening means that refilling it and even cleaning it is a breeze. It also comes in a multi-color version, but both of these feeders are high-quality and built to last. If you love walking outside and seeing tons of adorable little hummingbirds in your yard, feeders like this one will ensure you will see that every single time.