Posted by Walk into any store that sells hummingbird feeders and the selection can be overwhelming. Choosing a feeder to attract these little beauties to your yard doesn’t have to be difficult and, in this post, I’m going to share my favourite.
Whenever I’m asked what hummingbird feeder I recommend, the Perky-Pet Pinch Waist Glass Hummingbird Feeder is my answer every time. Why do I like this feeder so much? There are many reasons this feeder gets my vote but the first is it simply works. My parents had this feeder in their backyard when I was growing up and I use this feeder in my own yard. We also use this feeder at the family cottage. I have been watching hummingbirds use this feeder my entire life and the birds love it.
Another reason I love this feeder so much is the price. Who doesn’t love a product that works and doesn’t break the bank? Not only is this the best hummingbird feeder out there, but it’s also one of the least expensive. Just because this feeder doesn’t cost much doesn’t mean it isn’t high quality. This feeder is incredibly durable.
The glass reservoir is easy to clean with an appropriately sized brush and the wide mouth makes it easy to fill. I also really like the size of the reservoir as it holds just the right amount of nectar. This generally allows the birds to consume all the nectar before it spoils so none is wasted and I’m continually putting out fresh food thus attracting more birds.
The feeding ports feature bee guards to protect the nectar from flying insects while the top of the feeder incorporates a built-in ant-moat to prevent these crawling pests from accessing the food.
As for hummingbird food, there are several commercial nectars available; however, I make my own hummingbird food by adding 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of boiling water and giving it a quick stir. Once the liquid has cooled the feeder can be filled. Boiling the water not only helps dissolve the sugar, but it also helps remove chlorine and other impurities from our tap water.
Feeder placement is essential when trying to attract hummingbirds. I position mine out of the wind and close to somewhere the birds will perch. Hummingbirds like to perch before and after visiting a feeder. This could be a small tree, the top of a shepherd’s hook, or even a clothesline. At the cottage, we often get a chuckle watching the hummingbirds sitting on the clothesline trying to feed from the pink plastic clothespins. Commercial hummingbird perches are also available like Pop’s Swing, which is Urban Nature Store’s product of the month.
Having flowers in your garden will also help attract more hummingbirds to your yard. I am a huge fan of native flowers and have found the red blooms of the cardinal flower work particularly well. Butterfly weed, a species of milkweed, is not only a host plant for Monarch Butterflies, hummingbirds like it too.
Fresh food is imperative to attracting hummingbirds to your feeder. During hot, humid weather, you are going to want to change the nectar and clean the feeder every couple of days. Making a larger batch of food can be convenient as it will keep in the fridge for 7 to 10 days.
Having hummingbirds visit your backyard is incredibly enjoyable. These birds require food almost constantly and once they find your feeder will visit from sunrise to sunset. A backyard feeder is one of the best places to see and photograph hummingbirds as you know exactly where the birds will be.
If you are having trouble choosing the best hummingbird feeder for your yard, I highly recommend giving the Perky-Pet Pinch Waist Glass Hummingbird Feeder a try. This inexpensive, lightweight, easy to clean, durable feeder simply works, and with proper placement and care will attract hummingbirds to your yard. Mix up a batch of fresh nectar, place your favourite easy chair in close view, and get ready to enjoy beautiful hummingbirds in your backyard.
Happy birding,
Paul Roedding
Backyard Dispatches 