Choosing the right hummingbird feeder has as much to do with your personal preferences as it does with hummingbird behavior. These little gems aren’t fussy about the type of satiety you provide while filling their sweet nectar, but the type of satiety determines how easy it is to care for and the overall appearance of the hummingbird feeding station.
1. Ease of assembly. Hummingbird shepherds are easy to separate to allow you to thoroughly wash all parts. Look for one that has a filling hole large enough to accommodate a pencil bottle and has parts that are easy to reach for cleaning. The easier it is for you to run around and clean your hummingbird feeder, the more you need to keep the world sparkling.
2. Consider the size of the feeder. Large feeders can be suitable if attract large numbers of humming birds. /a> to the yard, but if the number of regular visitors is less than 5 or 6, a small satiety may be better chosen. Nectar should be changed twice every few days in keep fresh. Choose a hummingbird feeder to empty your hummingbirds from feeding every day or two.
3. Plastic vs Glass. Plastic shepherds tend to degrade over time as the plastic often becomes cloudy. They are also a bit more difficult to clean, as they can scratch the surface of the brush. The glass shepherds retain their original appearance.
4. Price. If price is a concern, go ahead and buy a cheap plastic feeder, but understand that you will likely need to replace it every year or two. Poles break, flowers fall, and plastic becomes cloudy with frequent exposure to the sun. More expensive shepherds typically last longer and retain their beauty.
5. Color. Many shepherd hummingbirds have red parts or may even have a red tank, but red is not necessary. Although hummingbirds may need to work a little faster to stop chasing these tiny birds, hummingbirds will happily feed without any fuss.
6. Figure. Hummingbird feeders come in two basic forms; a bottle of satiety, a bowl of satiety. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology indicates that the tube feeders drop when left in the sun, as the air at the top of the feeding trough expands and Feeders. Hummingbirds are territorial and fiercely fight over grain. Hanging some small feeders around the yard attracts more hummingbirds and reduces competition.
The type of hummingbird satiety does not matter to the hummingbird. It will be fed from almost any vessel, as long as it is clean and filled with fresh nectar. Poles are convenient and allow you to observe the creatures up close, but they are not necessary. Hummingbirds feed while flying and do not need a perch for feeding. Do yourself a favor and choose a hummingbird that is easy to take apart and easy to clean. You will be glad you did.
For information on making your own hummingbird feeders, see DIY Hummingbird Feeders from Recycled Bottles
Sources:
Cornelius Lab of Ornithology
