Attracting Hummingbirds
Lesson 1: THE SECRETS TO ATTRACTING BACKYARD HUMMINGBIRDS
WHAT TYPE OF FEEDER SHOULD YOU BUY?
There are many different types of feeders. Bottle-shaped feeders hang upside down with one receptacle for the nectar. This allows only one bird to feed at a time, and the nectar often drips, attracting insects. Saucer-shaped feeders come in many varieties. The ones without a roof can collect rainwater, which dilutes the nectar. If you purchase one without a roof, make sure it has a special new feature to prevent rainwater from diluting the nectar.
Some of these feeders have perches for the birds, and some do not. Without perches, the hummingbirds have to hover to feed, which causes them to expend energy they could save with a perch. On the other hand, if the birds are always perched while feeding, you have fewer opportunities to photograph them while in flight. If all of this weren’t complicated enough, some feeders are notoriously difficult to clean! How, then, can you choose the best feeder for both you and the birds?
Follow these recommendations, and you should be satisfied with the results:
* Choose only saucer feeders with several holes. This allows several birds to feed at a time.
* Choose feeders with a roof that shelters the holes so that rainwater cannot dilute the nectar, or choose one of the newer feeders that prevent rain from entering the holes even without a roof.
* Choose a feeder with a moat or guard that prevents insects from reaching the nectar. There are ant traps available as well that can prevent ants from accessing the nectar.
* Avoid mobile style feeders, as they tend to be unstable, and don't be seduced by expensive artistic feeders if they don't have practical features.
* Avoid the color yellow on any feeder, as it attracts bees and wasps.
* Purchase at least one feeder with perches and at least one without. This offers the hummingbirds the opportunity to rest while feeding, which helps them to conserve much needed energy but also allows you to watch some of the birds hover while feeding. Having more than one feeder is also helpful if some of the birds tend to chase weaker birds away. If you place the feeders at least a few feet apart, the more aggressive birds will be less likely to chase away the weaker ones.
* If your yard is large enough for several feeders, you can attract more birds. As land is used to build more housing and industry, birds are losing more and more habitat. Your nectar and seed feeders can prevent the starvation of many species of birds, not just hummingbirds.
* Check how the feeder comes apart to determine if it will be easy to clean. You want to be able to get to every corner of the feeder with a bottle brush in order to clean it thoroughly. Otherwise, mold can develop.
In the Links section, you will find websites where you can purchase feeders. In the Discussion forums, ask others where they have purchased their feeders, and offer any advice you may have to others about your success with feeders and their placement.
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