Types of Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbird feeders are a great way to keep hummingbirds around your home, but they're not without their challenges. In this article you'll learn how to choose the right type of feeder and how to set up your feeder so that it's both easy to use and attractive to your visitors. 

Choosing a feeder is one of those things that can seem daunting at first. There are so many choices! How do you know which ones will be best for your needs? What about size? Colors? How high should the feeder be from the ground level? All good questions. But let's start with some answers. 

How to Choose a Feeder 

The first thing you need to consider when choosing a feeder is whether or not you want to attract hummingbirds using nectar only, or if you'd like to use sugar water as well. ( what are the best hummingbird feeders )Nectar-only feeders are usually smaller in diameter than sugar-water feeders and have a spout that fits snugly into the feeder cup. Sugar-water feeders are a bit larger and have a wider spout that allows more room for the birds to sip without having to bend over too much. The biggest difference between the two types of feeders lies in where they sit on your property. If you plan on keeping your feeder outside, a nectar-only feeder would work better since it doesn't take up any real estate inside the house. And if you're concerned about attracting bees, wasps, or ants, a nectar-only feeder is your best choice. 

If you'd rather keep a hummingbird feeder inside, then that means you'll need to supplement the nectar with sugar water. It won't be nearly as messy, but you'll still have to replace the sugar water every now and again. This also means that you might have to clean the feeder more often. Some people just don't like cleaning, but if you really love hummingbirds and think you won't mind the chore, then a sugar-water feeder might be for you. 

In either case, there are several other factors to consider when choosing a feeder. You want to make sure that you buy a feeder that will hold enough liquid. A few drops of water may look pretty cute to your little visitors, but after a while it gets old. Also, make sure that the spout of the feeder is wide enough to allow your hummers to drink easily. Finally, pick a color that will match your yard and your taste. Do you prefer bright colors like red and blue, or are you more partial to earth tones like browns and greens? Whatever your preference, go with it! 

There are all sorts of shapes, sizes, and materials out there that you could use to build a hummingbird feeder. It's up to you to decide what looks best in your yard. Keep in mind that you'll need to find something sturdy that holds together well. That said, here are some popular designs to get you started... 

A plastic tub feeder with a lid 

These come in a variety of colors and sizes. They're inexpensive, easy to assemble, and very durable. A downside is that they tend to leak more than most feeders. Some people find that they can't leave them out year round because they drip all winter long, while others find that the dripping never stops. 

A clear glass hummingbird feeder 

This design is beautiful and works well as an indoor feeder as well as an outdoor feeder. Glass hummingbird feeders are generally made by molding the glass in molds, though they sometimes are handmade. There are a lot of different glass designs available, including clear glass, purple glass, and a wide range of colored glass. Glass hummingbird feeders are relatively expensive compared to the other options, but they look nice, are easy to clean, and last almost forever. 

A plastic hanging feeder 

Plastic hanging feeders aren't quite as common these days. They're not nearly as easy to repair and maintain as glass or wooden hummingbird feeders, and they have a reputation for being less durable. Still, they're a popular option among bird lovers. 

A wood hummingbird feeder 

Wooden hummingbird feeders are a classic design that has been used for centuries. Their appeal lies partly in their beauty and partly in the fact that they're fairly easy to build. You can find wooden hummingbird feeders in a variety of styles; some are designed to hang off the side of a tree, while others are designed to stand upright. Wood feeders are typically made from cedar, cypress, or pine. There are also metal hummingbird feeders available, although metal feeders aren't nearly as common anymore since the introduction of glass and plastic feeders. 

Once you've decided how you'd like to set up your feeder, you'll need to figure out how to fill it. Here are a few tips... 

Place the feeder directly above the flowers or fruit that you'd like to attract hummingbirds. If you've got a feeder that sits on a pole or post, position it in such a way that the flowers hang down below the feeder. 

Fill the feeder twice a day. Don't worry; once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to do it without spilling a drop. Just remember to put fresh food in the feeder each morning, and empty the old stuff (and wash it!) before nightfall. 

Keep the feeder filled until the food runs out. When you switch foods, always change the old food first and leave the new food in the feeder overnight. That way you'll avoid the possibility of spillage. 

Don't use anything toxic to feed hummingbirds. Never use antifreeze, gasoline, kerosene, or anything else that's poisonous. Instead, try using a mix of plain tap water and sugar water. Sugar water alone isn't as sweet tasting as honey, but it's still plenty tasty for hummingbirds. 

Clean the feeder regularly. Make sure that you wipe the feeder out thoroughly with a damp cloth. Don't forget the spout! Always make sure that everything is dry before putting the feeder back out in the sun. 

And finally, if you've successfully installed your feeder, don't forget to enjoy watching your hummingbirds. They're absolutely worth the effort. Hummingbirds Plus - Best Hummingbird Feeders 

Types of Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are a family of birds known for their rapid, high-pitched and distinctive calls. The word hummingbird is derived from the Latin humus meaning "a short song" or "humming noise". 

The term hummingbird has been used in North American English since the first half of the 19th century. In Europe, it was popularized by German ornithologist Philipp Christoph Neuhausen (1772–1855). 

In Spanish, the bird is called chorreado, which means "little red one", while in Portuguese it is called trompeteira. 

There are two main groups of hummingbirds: The New World group (Phaethornis) which contains some 35 species, and the Old World group (Trochilus), which contains only two species. Most hummingbirds have long tails that they use to balance themselves when hovering or chasing prey. 

The most common types of hummingbird include; 

1. Green - The green hummingbird is the largest hummingbird of all and can reach a size of 1.5 inches tall with a wingspan of 2.8 inches. It is found throughout Central America and southern Mexico. 

2. Rufous - The rufous hummingbird is another large hummingbird found in South America, with males reaching an average length of 6 inches with a wingspan of 9 inches. 

3. Anna's - There are two varieties of this type of hummingbird: the Anna's hummingbird and the Costa's hummingbird. Both are medium-sized, with males reaching up to 4.4 inches tall with a wingspan of 7.7 inches. They live in central Mexico, mainly in Jalisco and Nayarit states. 

4. Calliope - This hummingbird is found in northern Mexico and the United States, in particular in California. Its name comes from the Greek goddess of poetry, Calliope. 

5. Ruby-throated - This hummingbird lives throughout Central and South America and is considered as one of the most beautiful ones. Its name refers to its throat, which is often covered in bright red feathers. 

6. Broad-tailed - The broad-tailed hummingbird is one of the smallest North American members of the genus. It can grow to be just over an inch tall with a wingspan of 2.9 inches. It lives across the US east coast from Florida northward into Canada. 

Some other lesser-known types of hummingbirds include; 

7. Blue-headed - This hummingbird has a blue head and is found in the Caribbean. Males may be distinguished from females by the presence of a dark cap on the forehead. Its name comes from the Latin words 'aquae' meaning 'water' and 'caput' meaning 'head'. 

8. Black - This hummingbird is found only in eastern Panama and western Ecuador, although it is not uncommon in Brazil. It is named after the black colour of its tail feathers. 

9. White-eared - This type of hummingbird is found in the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Basin and is closely related to the rufous hummingbird. 

10. Blue-throated - The blue-throated hummingbird or azure-crowned hummingbird is named after the blue colour on its throat. It was once thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1992. It now lives throughout much of the Americas south of Texas. 

11. Red-throated - The red-throated hummingbird is found in eastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. It is the smallest member of the Trochilidae family in its range. 

12. White-bellied - The white-bellied hummingbird is found along the Pacific Coast of Mexico and Central America. The male of this species is blue with a white belly, while the female is brown with a yellowish belly. 

13. Andean - Found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru, the Andean hummingbird is the largest hummingbird species and grows to about 5 inches tall with a wingspan of 8 inches. 

14. Long-tailed - The long-tailed hummingbird is native to Central and South America and can measure up to 3.5 inches tall with a wingspan of 6 inches and is the smallest member of the Trochilidae family. Females do not exhibit any sexual dimorphism. 

15. Banded - The banded hummingbird is also known as the Costa hummingbird, because its tail is banded. It is found in parts of Mexico and Central America, including the Yucatán Peninsula. 

16. Amethyst - Also known as the amethyst hummingbird, this bird is a rare visitor to the UK. It is named after the gemstone amethyst due to the colouring of its feathers. It is found in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. 

17. Scarlet - The scarlet macaw is a small hummingbird found in coastal areas of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Surinam. It is named after the colouring of its plumage. 

18. Rufous-sided - The rufous-sided hummingbird is a rare bird found in the Andes mountains of Argentina. It was discovered in 1984 and is named after the colouration of its breast. 

19. Magnificent - The magnificent hummingbird is a large type of hummingbird found in the Caribbean and it is named after its dazzling colouring. It is not actually a hummingbird but belongs to the Trochilidae family. 

20. Greater - A small type of hummingbird found in the Andes mountains of Bolivia, Peru and Chile. 

21. Greenish - The greenish hummingbird is a medium-sized hummingbird found in parts of Mexico, Central America and South America. 

22. Yellow-bellied - The yellow-bellied hummingbird is a small hummingbird found in tropical forests of Central America. 

23. Golden - The golden hummingbird is a very small hummingbird found in the tropics, although there are records of sightings in temperate regions.