Hummingbird "Feeder" Tips for Gardeners

A great advantage of having a feeder out in very early spring is that once in a while there are "early bird" hummers when it comes to migrating back after winter. If they arrive too early to find natural nectar sources from your garden, you will be doing them a huge favor by having artificial nectar ready for them to dine on. Otherwise, they just might starve.

How often must hummingbirds sip nectar to survive?

Hummingbirds derive their energy primarily from nectar or sugar water, while soft-bodied insects and spiders are eaten mainly as a source of protein. It has been documented by researchers that hummingbirds must feed every 10 to 15 minutes from daylight to dusk. They have to eat as much as they can before darkness sets in, as they go into a hibernation stage every night. Their metabolism rate drops at night to enable them to conserve as much energy as possible until morning, otherwise they might starve to death before they are able to feed again. When you think of this matter seriously, hummers really are on a "roller coaster" when it comes to eating often and regularly! I doubt you'll ever find a hummer on a diet!

What should you know about using hummingbird feeders as a nectar supplement or an added attractant? I've outlined some of the most basic things below.

Feeder Style and Color

Probably the most important decision you will make is what type of feeder to choose. From past experience, I would recommend a feeder that is easy to disassemble and clean thoroughly. This would probably be a "basin" style feeder, rather than the inverted bottle style. They are much easier to fill and clean, at least in my opinion. However, I do so love watching hummers hover over those little "fake blossom" feeder ports that are seen on the shelves in all garden stores. There really is no "etched in stone" rule as to style, because a hummingbird will be attracted to almost anything that has fresh syrup in it.

As to color -- RED is definitely in for hummers! And this isn't just a trend. I know, I know! Red seems so glaring in a pastel garden setting, doesn't it? But, we must take into consideration that hummingbirds really are attracted to the color red the very most. Even in their choice of flowering blossoms, they first seem to flock to those having deep

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