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Hummingbird Feeder: Your Own Backyard Gallery of Artistic Delight

A hummingbird feeder can be one of the most rewarding wild bird feeders to have in a backyard for bird watching.

Hummingbird picture
Resting on a snag for a good look around.


The rewards far out weigh the effort.

There is more effort in maintaining feeders to hold hummingbird food than any other feeder for attracting wild birds. But it is also the least expensive to fill.

Hummer feeders will attract many other critters too, other than what they are designed to attract. There are a host of other birds who love to have a taste of this sweet nectar from time to time.

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Hummingbird Feeder Styles

Hummingbird feeders are available in many different styles. The common denominator among them is that they all hold liquid syrup which these little birds love.

hummingbird picture
Inverted gravity feeder.
hummingbird feeder image
Saucer style feeder.










Even though they are available in many styles, there are only two types;

    1. A pan or trough type.

    2. An inverted syrup holder, which operates by gravity or vacuum.

Each type of feeder can be purchased in many different styles. There is a wonderful choice available.

Hummer feeders can be mounted to windows for a great close up view of the little hummingbirds while they are drinking. Or they can be mounted on a pole.

There are feeders designed to accommodate multiple visitors at one time or an individual user. It can be an awesome decision.

You can also purchase unique feeders which not only compliment the stunning beauty of the little birds they are designed to attract but also provide some individuality to the ambiance of your backyard.

This is possible because many artists are now creating blown glass hummingbird feeders as works of art. They can be purchased in an amazing assortment of colours and styles. This certainly can add an artistic flare to any backyard habitat.

glass hummingbird feeder picture
Decorative hummingbird glass ball feeder that operates by creating a vacuum that holds the nectar in the ball.
Many manufacturers are producing very attractive and highly functional feeders as well.

A hummingbird feeders is most often entirely made of plastic. But glass is becoming very popular as the syrup holder and metal for the drinking ports because of the benefits.



The advantage of glass or metal is that they are easier to keep clean. Glass syrup holders provide a little insulation from the sun compared to plastic. They last longer because they are made of elements that don’t break down as quickly. Of course glass has the disadvantage of being breakable.

Plastic on the other hand is usually more economical to purchase. The disadvantage of plastic is that it is porous and may absorb smells and is therefore harder to clean. Plastic will also break down and need replacing sooner.

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Other Birds that Use a Hummingbird Feeder

There are many other species of birds which enjoy drinking at syrup feeders. The following is a list of birds which have been recorded drinking from hummer feeders as published in “A Complete Guide to Bird Feeding” by John V. Dennis.

16 Finches and Sparrows

6 Orioles

7 Woodpeckers

6 Titmouse

4 Nuthatches

3 Mimic Thrushes

16 Warblers

4 Tanagers

Although not birds:

some nectar drinking Bat species

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Puzzled ?#!*

One year I was consistently finding a little plastic flower from a hummingbird feeder lying on the deck. I had been feeding hummers for many years in this same location and this had never happened before, so I was a little puzzled.

At first I thought perhaps it was just a loose fit and the wind had blown it out. But when I popped it back in it was quite snug. After I found it on the deck a couple of more times, I just brought it in the house and left the feeding hole exposed.

One day I noticed something outside the window and looked up to find a Baltimore Oriole hanging onto the feeder, enjoying a drink. So my mystery was partially solved.

The oriole feeder was hanging only about five feet from the hummingbird feeder, under the eaves, in front of another window. The Baltimore Orioles had already been coming to their feeder for a few years. I really never figured out why the Baltimore Orioles decided to try the hummer feeder but they continued to go back and forth.

Perhaps it was because the Hummingbirds, along with the Finches used the Oriole feeder all the time. So now both types of feeders have all three types of birds using them!


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More Hummingbird Feeder Facts and More

Find the optimum Hummer feeder location in your yard and enjoy!

Maintaining hummingbird feeders.

Here is a hummingbird food recipe.

Unwelcome Guests at Nectar Feeders

Take the Hummingbird Feeders are Sweeter Quiz!






When you have finished browsing The Scoop on Wild Birds and Feeders, you may be interested to look at this great site on RVing.

Jill says that many RVers enjoy feeding Hummingbirds as the birds don't seem to mind the transient nature of RVers coming and going. This site has information and advice for the novice or experienced RVer. How to choose, afford and enjoy your RV lifestyle, with tips on campgrounds, fulltiming, RV buying, internet access, RV travel, RV clubs, working on the road, managing costs and RV living. Your RV Lifestyle



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