Ideal Hummingbird Feeder Recipe

Good Capacity

When you feed one hummingbird he quickly invites his friends to come along as well. For first time hummingbird feeders, get a large hummingbird feeder from the start. You will be astonished at how quickly you develop a "herd" of hungry guests in your backyard. Larger feeders will require less frequent fillings and are easier to clean.

Easy Maintenance

Proper maintenance of the hummingbird feeder is essential to ensure the health of the birds and to minimize insect activity. Any time you refill your feeder you should also clean it with a mild solution of soap and warm water, taking care not to leave any residue behind. The cleaner your feeder the less chance of the nectar spoiling. While some decorative feeders are just plain cute, they are hard to clean. Select a feeder that is large enough to be maintained easily.

Good perches

Consider the number of perches of your feeder. Perches determine the number of birds that can feed at one time. The more perches you offer to your "guests," the more birds will come and visit.

Durable Materials

Hummingbird feeders usually contain liquid nectar. While many feeders today are made of plastic, the older, glass feeder are more durable and much easier to sterilize and keep clean. If you do purchase plastic feeders, be prepared to throw them out and purchase new ones when you can no longer keep them clean. (Remember that plastic absorbs odors and impurities. If you suddenly cannot keep the nectar from spoiling rapidly, it's time to get a new feeder.)

To jumpstart your hummingbird feeder project, you can follow this simple hummingbird feeder recipe. Mix 1 part regular sugar with 4 parts natural water. Then simply fill your glass hummingbird feeder or homemade hummingbird feeders, hang them in a shady location, and enjoy the show!