Tag: Hummingbird feeders

Categories
Hummingbird Feeders

Inverted Vs. Saucer Hummingbird Feeders

There are two basic types of hummingbird feeders. The two possible choices are the bottle or inverted feeder and the saucer feeder. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that you will want to consider before purchasing a hummingbird feeder. There is no such thing as a right or wrong choice in this matter, only your need to decide what will be the choice that will best meet your personal needs.

Considerations for the bottle or inverted feeder…

• It is easier to check the nectar levels of this type of hummingbird feeder.
• This type of hummingbird feeder typically has a greater nectar capacity.
• This feeder is more prone to leakage and more likely to attract ants and other insects.
• The inverted feeder is often more difficult to clean and fill.

Considerations of the saucer feeder…

• Saucer feeders are far easier to fill, clean and assemble.
• This type of feeder can be mounted on poles or railings.
• The smaller capacity nectar reservoir requires it be refilled more frequently.
• The saucer feeder may be less visible and therefore harder for the hummingbirds to locate.

The use of a hummingbird feeder is one of the most common ways people use to try and attract hummingbirds to their yards. This can be a very effective method to use but it also requires some effort and work by the owner. When trying to select the type of feeder that is best for your needs, please keep the above considerations in mind.

Categories
Hummingbird Feeders

Should Different Types of Bird Feeders Be Hung Together?

While searching the Internet for information and ideas for possible future post, I came across a question by someone wanting to know if you can hang a hummingbird feeder right next to other types of bird feeders. Today’s post was inspired by that person’s question.

First off, I would like to state that the opinion expressed here is my own and there is not truly a definitive answer to this question. I have seen different types of feeders hung together before but I do not know how effectively this worked or did not work. I am just going to offer you my personal opinion on the matter based on my own knowledge of and experiences with hummingbirds.

Hummingbirds are extremely territorial birds and as a result they will fiercely defend a hummingbird feeder as their own from even other hummingbirds, so I do not believe that the hummingbirds would like other types of birds in the area feeding close by while the hummingbirds are feeding. My suggestion would be to place the different types of bird feeders that you may have in separate and “designated” areas of your yard for the various types of birds you desire to attract.

If you have plants in your yard that are known to attract hummingbirds then hang your hummingbird feeder near those plants. This will allow the hummingbird the opportunity to have multiple food sources available from which to feed.

It is also good to place the hummingbird feeder in a location which will not expose it to direct sunlight, as this will cause the nectar to spoil more rapidly. Lastly, make sure that the feeder is not placed in a windy location because this may cause the nectar solution to slosh out of the feeder and therefore be more likely to attract ants to the feeder.

Even though I only have knowledge about hummingbirds, it is my sincere hope that this post will help you understand why it is that I personally do not believe that different types of bird feeders should be hung together or near by each other. This is not to say that you yourself cannot try placing the feeders together or nearby and see what happens. If you do this, please let us know what you discover concerning this issue. Thanks.

Categories
Hummingbird Feeders Hummingbird Food

Facts About Hummingbirds and Winter

While having lunch today with a group of ladies from my church, we began having a discussion about hummingbirds and winter. This discussion let me know that many people are misinformed about hummingbirds in the winter. Because of my knowledge and love of hummingbirds, I was able to set the record straight concerning these common misconceptions regarding winter and hummingbirds. It is also what has inspired me to write today’s post and I hope that it will enlighten and entertain you.

The normal ratio that is recommended for making homemade nectar solution or sugar water is 4:1. This means four parts water to one part sugar. However, in the winter it is alright to change the ratio of your nectar or hummingbird solution to a ratio of 3:1. I make this point because many people are not aware of this and mistakenly believe that the ratio of nectar solution must always be 4:1. This simply is not true and by changing to a ratio of 3:1, you will be helping to retard the freezing of the nectar solution.

Many people also mistakenly believe that by leaving their hummingbird feeders up in winter that the hummingbirds will not migrate. It is the length of day or photoperiod is what signals to the hummingbird that it is time to migrate and this will occur regardless of whether or not your feeder remains up or not. In other words, the hummingbird will know instinctively when it is time to migrate and the feeder staying up will not stop this.

Many people also mistakenly believe that all hummingbirds must migrate, especially in the colder temperatures of winter. This is not true because not every species of hummingbird migrates. There are also those hummingbirds that are too weak or ill to make the migratory journey any longer or you could have a vagrant hummingbird in your area that is off the path of its journey. These hummingbirds will need to be fed, so it is important that they have a food source available on which to feed.

This is the common misconceptions my friends had about hummingbirds in the winter. If you yourself held any of these misconceptions, I hope that this post has served to inform you on this matter.

Categories
Hummingbird Feeders

Feeders Can Remain Up Past Labor Day

Many people are under the mistaken idea that their hummingbird feeders must be taken down on or around Labor Day, but this simply is not true. It is impossible to know how this incorrect information has become so widely believed but this post will hopefully help set the record straight on this issue.

It is important to understand that leaving your hummingbird feeder up will not stop the hummingbirds from migrating. A hummingbird’s body will signal when it is time for the bird to migrate due to changes in the length of the day or photoperiod. By leaving your hummingbird feeders up, for least two weeks or so since seeing your last hummingbird, you would be providing a vital food source for any birds that are late in migrating or those that can no longer survive the migratory journey due to illness or age or whatever the cause might be.

No matter where you live, it is impossible to provide an exact date by which hummingbird feeders should be taken down. This will very greatly due to where you live. As a general rule or guideline, it is not at all uncommon for many people leave their feeders up for at least two weeks after seeing a hummingbird. There are even places places in which people keep their hummingbird feeders up year round because not every single species of hummingbird migrates. Therefore, each of you will have to determine for yourselves when and if your hummingbird feeders should be taken down or not. Regardless of your decision concerning this matter, please know that doing so will not prevent the hummingbirds from migrating and also know that leaving your feeders up can actually serve to help the hummingbirds.

Categories
Hummingbird Feeders Hummingbird Food

Should You Move Your Hummingbird Feeder?

Has your hummingbird feeder been in the same exact location for a long time and you now find that you are having trouble with various insects at the feeder? One way to help with this issue is to relocate your feeder somewhere else. In this post you will discover why this will help the issue.

Insects as well as hummingbirds are creatures of habit and will likely visit the most convenient and reliable food source available. Insects are unlike hummingbirds because the insects are far less likely to search for a relocated food source. This is why the act of moving a feeder can decrease the number of insects visiting it.

The simple act of moving your feeder, even just a few feet, can help decrease the number of insects which visit your hummingbird feeder. In a very short time, maybe even a few minutes, hours or days, the hummingbirds will once again find your hummingbird feeder because these birds do not mind searching for a dependable food source and due to the bird’s excellent memory they will return again and again to the feeder that is responsible for it.