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New Hummingbird Feeders

July 21st, 2008

My old hummingbird feeder started leaking nectar and after falling off the window several times the glass tube broke and is much shorter than is once was. I have been looking for a nice hummingbird feeder for while now, but it seems like they’re all pretty ugly (I’m not sure why they all need plastic yellow flowers on them?). I finally found a simple one at Best Nest. I bought 2 new iron hooks to hang them from. So far the hummingbirds prefer their old feeder better. I’m hoping they’ll start using the new ones soon!

Update – They do love the new feeders! I think they love that there are 2 feeders now. They often eat from the one on the side of the house and then fly to the one on the back of the house for seconds.

3 Comments to “New Hummingbird Feeders”
  1. Zoe Ann Hinds on July 21, 2008 at 8:06 pm

    I’m glad you found the hummingbird feeder that is right for you. For any of you who have not yet found one to satisfy you needs, it is my hope that these tips will help you select the one that is right for you.

    There are two main types of hummingbird feeders: bottle or saucer style.

    The bottle or tube type of hummingbird feeder:

    This type of feeder is usually made of glass or plastic.

    It often contains red plastic flowers and bee-guards which are little plastic screens that keep insects away from the sugar solution on the feeding ports.

    Tube-type hummingbird feeders are very popular with hummingbirds because they simulate the tube shape of many nectar-bearing flowers.

    Bottle feeders tend to leak, because of the sun—the air that is trapped in the top of the bottle expands as it warms and pushes the nectar out.

    There is no perfect solution as to how to prevent hummingbird feeders from leaking or dripping – feeders will drip occasionally. However, there are several things that can be done to minimize the amount of leaking or dripping that occurs, so that you can truly enjoy your feeder.

    1. Always fill the feeder completely full with cool nectar. The stopper should be inserted and the feeder quickly inverted to avoid any air entering the feeder. Tube feeders operate on a vacuum principle, and the feeder must be filled completely full in order for the vacuum to form!

    2. Only hang your feeder in shade or partial shade. The cooler the feeder, the less likely it is to drip.

    3. Make sure to keep the feeder very clean by regularly cleaning the vessel with hot water and a bottle brush. Soap should not be used during cleaning, because its residue may cause your feeder to drip. As an alternative, try periodically using a vinegar rinse to thoroughly clean your feeder and then rinse well with hot water.

    4. As a last resort, the stopper assembly can be placed in very hot water to soften the tube. You can bend it slightly to increase the angle. This will stop dripping, but might make it more difficult for nectar to come down the tube.

    5. If the dripping of this type of feeder is too much for you, then try a top-feeding hummingbird feeder instead.

    Saucer-shaped hummingbird feeders:

    This type of hummingbird feeder is usually made of plastic.

    This type of hummingbird feeder has feeding ports in the top, making them bee-and wasp-proof.

    Saucer feeders are better than bottle feeders in direct sunlight, because they are less likely to leak.

    If you would like much more information about hummingbirds, please click the links below. The sites contain many articles about hummingbirds, video clips about hummingbirds, an informative tips booklet on hummingbirds, and much more.

    Click Here To Visit About Hummingbirds

    Hummingbirds For Mom

    Reply to Zoe Ann Hinds's comment

  2. Pages tagged "hummingbird" on July 23, 2008 at 8:33 am

    […] bookmarks tagged hummingbird New Hummingbird Feeders saved by 5 others     mrsmikeyway4ever bookmarked on 07/23/08 | […]

    Reply to Pages tagged “hummingbird”'s comment

  3. For our Fine Feathered Friends at Chiot’s Run on January 27, 2009 at 5:01 am

    […] feed the birds in the winter here at Chiot’s Run. In the summer only the hummingbirds get free food, but we have plenty to eat around here with all the plants and bugs in the summer for […]

    Reply to For our Fine Feathered Friends at Chiot’s Run's comment

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This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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