A guide on choosing the best hummingbird feeder
There are numerous varieties of hummingbird feeders in the market today; this makes the whole idea of selecting the most suitable one to be quite tricky. You no longer have to be confused when shopping for a hummingbird feeder, this guide should sort you out
The dish or bottle hummingbird feeders
There are two types of hummingbird feeders that you can choose from either the dish or the bottle feeders. Each of them is fairly different from the other and performs differently when compared. For instance, the dish feeders are also known as the saucer feeders, and for them, the nectar is stationed in the saucer that is at the bottom part of the feeding ports of the feeder.
When refilling the dish feeder, you just have to pour the nectar into the dish and set back the top and put the feeder in place. You can have it hanged on any spot of your space or even simply settled on the ground. The benefits of using this feeder are quite limited, the main one being that you will have an easy time cleaning it thoroughly before refilling it. Similarly, they are sort of resistant to any forms of leakage, so you should not worry about wasting the nectar you have refilled in the feeders.
On the other hand, the bottle feeders, which are also referred to as the vacuum feeders, provide a whole new experience when you opt to use them. For such, there is a bottle fitted just above the feeders that are on the bottom part. You can easily see when the level of the nectar falls below a specific level, and this will be of convenience when you want to know the ideal time of refilling it.
The bottle feeders provide your space with a sense of fashion when you install them in your space. They are stylish and can come in seamless design and hence provide an eye-catching inclusion to your space. The shortcoming of these feeders is that the bottle is not the easiest to clean because the interior parts are not easy to get to when cleaning. You will need a special brush for the thorough cleaning of the bottle of the feeders. Similarly, they are more vulnerable to leakages, unlike the dish feeders.
When choosing a feeder, you will have to consider the features and also the ease of use. You can mix both the dish feeders and the bottle feeders, and you will enjoy the experience and learn how to use either.
Price of the hummingbird feeders
When you are purchasing a hummingbird feeder, you will need to consider the budget that you are working with. You are probably going to get a couple of them and have them installed all over your space. You might want to have four hummingbird feeders installed, and it would be wise to consider the price of each when shopping.
The price of the hummingbird feeders may also determine the experience that you may get from using your choice. The costly ones may be excellent and also provide you with an experience you enjoy. Furthermore, they are commonly resilient or highly reliable, and this makes them long-lasting. Similarly, they are not affected by harsh outdoor conditions. Neither will they be affected with issues of leakages.
The cheap ones might not be the best because they are simple and hence the reason for the low price tags. Such may develop numerous complications after using them for just a few weeks. This creates the need to consider the price too when choosing between different types of hummingbird feeders.
The design of the hummingbird feeders
The design of the hummingbird feeders dictates the experience that the hummingbird feeder promises. There are those that are fitted with extra features that make them simply awesome to use. For instance, there are those that are fitted with perches that provide the birds with a resting place when they are sucking nectar from the feeders.
Similarly, there are those that are designed to attract hummingbird feeders effectively wherever you station them in your space. This is because there are those that are designed in a special way that a bird from afar would not miss them. Furthermore, you can get one that provides you with convenience when you need to check the level of the feeders and also when you are refilling it.
There are also the best designs that you can get that will provide you with easy cleaning time. This is because the hummingbird feeders tend to be rather messy because of the nectar and the mess created by the birds. This will demand that you clean it whenever you can-it would be much easier to clean if you get one that has the perfect structure that is easy to clean.
On the design, you will also have to consider how many birds can feed on the feeders at a go. There are feeders that can accommodate up to six, and the capacity is just enough to feed them effectively.
The material used for the hummingbird feeders
Hummingbird feeders may be made from either plastic or even glass, which are the most common ones. Each of them presents a different experience like the plastic one is least affected with breakages when they fall, unlike the Glass one, which simply shatters into pieces. The glass hummingbird feeders are an excellent choice if you want neat feeders in your yard. Glass is easily cleaned whenever you have too.
Availability of an ant moat
Hummingbird feeders fitted with ant moats are the best option because of a number of reasons. The main reason being that you want to keep the ants at bay and limit their interruption to the hummingbirds. When a feeder is leaking, it will attract insects, mainly ants, and they pose as the biggest threat yet to the hummingbirds. The ants are attracted to the feeders by the sweet-tasting nectar.
An ant moat is included in the design of a feeder to deter their attention so that they don’t get to the birds. There are also those that are fitted with ant traps, and this would work just as well. However, you can purchase and fit either the ant trap and moat separately, but this would be quite costly.
The size of the hummingbird feeders
The size of the hummingbird feeders determines the quantity of the nectar that will be there after every refill. You might need a large enough feeder to hold just sufficient nectar to feed the numerous hummingbirds that come knocking to your space. The nectar there should just be enough for all of them so that they are attracted to your space more and more.
Since the nectar remains fresh for up to one week, you will need to fill the feeders so that the nectar can last that long. Therefore, a large capacity of a feeder might not be necessary as a lot of nectar will be left, and this might get wasted. You will have to get a couple of feeders to ensure the efficient usage of the feeders.
Color of the hummingbird feeders
Since the hummingbirds will be flying high up in the sky, you want to attract them to your space as effectively as you can. Getting a bright colored one would be an excellent idea so that you can get the results that you want. A dull-colored hummingbird feeder would be the wrong option because it might not be spotted in your space; however, you set it up.
Bright colors, just like the colorful flowers, will do the trick!
Installation type of the hummingbird feeder
There are a variety of ways that you can set up the hummingbird feeders; either through hanging or simply setting down. The best way you want to set up the hummingbird is by hanging close to a tree as it would be a convenient enough spot for the hummingbirds. The birds are more comfortable when they are close to a tree because they can manage their space and also feel more comfortable with their enemies.
If you get a hummingbird feeder that is set up in your space through hanging, you will need to get the items needed to set it upright. For instance, there are appropriate hangers for the feeders, and this will position them effectively wherever you want them set up in your space. It wouldn’t be wise to get a feeder that you can’t set up effectively since this will just stress you when you want to have it installed in your yard.