The Best Hummingbird Feeders


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Isn’t it amazing how hummingbirds hover and then quickly zip away? If you enjoy watching these little dynamos, entice them to your yard with the best hummingbird feeder. It’s not only fantastic to watch these miniature bundles of energy, but stress relieving as well. I find I always have a smile on my face if there’s a hummer near.

The 8 Best Hummingbird feeders are:

  • First Nature
  • Aspect HummZinger® High View Excel
  • Grateful Gnome Fiery Bell Tower
  • REZIPO Blue Hand Blown Glass
  • Perky-Pet® Cobalt Blue Antique Bottle Glass
  • Birds Choice Best-1
  • More Birds Vintage
  • Stokes Select Ruby Prism

Did you know that hummingbirds can fly right, left, up, down, backward, and even upside down? And while other birds get their power to fly from their downstroke, hummingbirds have strength on the upstroke as well.

The tiny feet of hummingbirds are almost useless except to perch. If they want to move even 2 inches, they must fly. It’s fascinating that these tiny little birds can fly very fast and stop almost instantly.

They have excellent memories, too; they can remember where they got their food from previous years. To keep those little wings beating around 75 times a second, they’d better remember where the food is located.

So, if you enjoy watching the zipping antics of hummingbirds, an excellent way to get them to come to you is to be a source of food. And for that, you’re going to want the best hummingbird feeder.

TIP: If you want to check out the best pair of binoculars for bird watching, we recommend a pair of waterproof and fog-proof 8 x 42 binoculars like the Celestron – Outland X 8×42 Binoculars (Amazon link).

Attracting Hummingbirds: Tips for Capturing Their Attention

Hummingbirds need to eat once every 10 to 15 minutes to sustain their supercharged metabolisms. To do that, they will dip their long beaks into up to 2,000 flowers each day.

To help ensure these intriguing little birds visit your yard, make sure your yard offers flowers, perches, insects, water, and the best hummingbird feeder. Those are the key ingredients of a healthy place for hummers to feed and frolic.

Hummingbirds are attracted to brightly colored flowers, including yellow, orange, pink, and purple, but the color that seems to get their attention the most is red.

Hummingbirds appear to associate red with food; is that because most feeders are red? Or are most feeders red because hummers eat mostly from red flowers? We’ll let you ponder that one.

When planting a hummingbird-friendly garden, you will want to have flowers that bloom throughout the year. You will also want to leave enough space between the plantings so that those quick-zipping hummers have room to maneuver.

hummingbird attracted from the flower

Shrubs and trees are also essential considerations because those energic little birds need to have a place to catch their breath. Not to mention a place to sleep or hide from predators. A little swing might be helpful, as well.

TOP TIP: Hummingbirds love flowers with plenty of nectar and pollen. To find out how to plant and grow these flowers in your garden, read this article. Add a birdbath to your garden and watch the birds splash around all day – find the best birdbath options here.

Eliminate pesticides as much as possible. While nectar is an essential food for hummers, they also need protein from pollen and insects. Spiders and insects (arthropods) are a critical part of their diet.

As hummingbirds like to bathe frequently, provide your yard with a constant source of water. A misting device is an especially attractive source of water to hummers, but a drip fountain will get their attention, too.

Now that you’ve got their attention, what do they like?

Attraction Secrets: What Hummingbirds Love Most

blue hummingbird

Unlike pollinators that are attracted by the scent, it’s the color that attracts hummingbirds to flowers. But the bloom shape is also important.

Tubular-shaped flowers, especially if they’re nodding, more easily accommodate the hummingbirds’ long beaks. And those nodding flowers make it easier for a hovering hummer to take a nice long drink of that nectar.

Not only do they eat spiders and insects from their webs, but as aerial hunters, hummingbirds also snatch small insects from the air. So, it’s beneficial to hang overripe fruit or banana peels close to the feeder to attract fruit flies.

They like to nest near their food supply, and they often make their nests with lichens and spider webs. So, encourage their nesting by maintaining some small shrubs and deciduous trees. If you want to provide them with some material to build their nests, you can help them out by hanging some nest bedding balls.

Backyard Hummingbird Feeders

backyard feeder

Backyard feeders can be critical to hummingbird survival, especially during fall and spring migrations. But it’s important to remember that hummingbirds can be territorial, so it’s best to have more than one feeder.

Place the feeders far enough apart to help keep one bird from dominating the others. Hanging feeders in the shade will prevent the nectar from fermenting. It will also help keep the bees from feeding at the feeder, as they prefer feeding in the sun.

Fill the feeders with sugar water made by combining refined (not organic) white granulated sugar with four parts water. Boil the water and sugar for one to two minutes to dissolve the sugar completely. If you use water from your tap, boiling the water will also remove any chlorine. Cool and store the sugar syrup in the refrigerator.

Never use honey, artificial sweeteners, or red dye. All of them can be harmful to hummers.

While there is no reliable research that red dye is harmful, there are growing anecdotal concerns about red dye causing tumors. With brightly colored feeders, there’s no need for the red nectar.

Make sure to change the nectar regularly before it gets cloudy. In warm weather, it’s recommended to change the nectar at least twice a week. To cut down on waste, only fill your feeder halfway unless you have many hummingbirds feeding.

Clean the feeders once a week with a solution of one part white vinegar to four parts water. If you use warm, soapy water, make sure to rinse the feeder thoroughly because soap residue can be harmful to hummers.

If you have mold in the feeder that you can’t reach with a brush, put some sand in the water and swish back and forth until the sand rubs off the mold.

TIP: Choosing the right bird feeder is crucial when you want to attract birds on your backyard. There are a lot of options on how and where to place a bird feeder. Check out my picks on different bird feeders below (Amazon links):
Free-standing Bird Feeder
Hanging Bird Feeder
Bird Feeder with Camera

The 8 Best Hummingbird Feeders

You can pick your best hummingbird feeder from our list of eight. Our list is in no particular order or preference.

Now is a good time to note that unless the manufacturer says otherwise, all hummingbird feeders should be hand-washed. If you are going to wash your feeder in hot, soapy water, many manufacturers recommend using Dawn dishwashing soap. But make sure you rinse the feeder thoroughly, as soap residue may harm the hummer.

1. First Nature Hummingbird Feeder

First Nature’s 32-ounce hummingbird feeder is a heavy-duty plastic feeder that holds 32 ounces of nectar. The patented two-part base twists apart for easy cleaning, and the bright red color will catch the attention of hummingbirds.

The circular perch allows hummers to comfortably stop for a sip from one of the 10 ports. The wide-mouth reservoir is easy to fill and clean.

Amazon customers rated this large feeder 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. An enthusiastic 70 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

2. Aspect HummZinger® High View Excel

The HummZinger® High View Excel UV-stabilized polycarbonate hummingbird feeder holds 16 ounces and is drip and leakproof. The cover is removed easily for cleaning, and the bright red color will attract hummers, even from a distance.

You can hang or post-mount this feeder with its solid brass stem. The HighView perch invites hummers to feed comfortably through one of the six feeding ports. The raised flower design of the feeding ports diverts rain, and it comes with a built-in ant moat.

Amazon customers rated this made-in-the-United States feeder with an average of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. And 72 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

3. Grateful Gnome Fiery Bell Tower Hummingbird Feeder

Grateful Gnome’s beautiful Fiery Bell Tower hummingbird feeder is a hand-blown glass feeder that holds 20 fluid ounces. It has a new design of glass threading instead of a threaded plastic sleeve. The beautiful red, yellow, and orange design will most assuredly get the attention of hummers.

This feeder is easy to assemble and hang from wire, or a plant hanger, and an “S” hook is included. The raised circular perch gives the hummers a comfortable place to sit as they sip from one of the five red flower ports.

It’s not a surprise that Amazon customers rated this unique feeder 4.8 out of 5.0 stars. An impressive 89 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

4. REZIPO Blue Hand Blown Glass Hummingbird Feeder

Another beautiful feeder is REZIPO’s Blue Hand Blown Glass hummingbird feeder. This feeder holds 38 fluid ounces and has glass threading to connect to the base. The beautifully colored glass container attaches to a bright red base, making it hard for hummers to ignore.

The wide-mouth reservoir and two-part base make it easy to see when the feeder needs filling. This easy-to-clean feeder has a hanging ant moat and comes with four perches and feeding ports.

Amazon customers rated this beautiful feeder 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. A remarkable 80 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

5. Perky-Pet® Cobalt Blue Antique Bottle Glass Hummingbird Feeder

Perky-Pet® Cobalt Blue Antique Bottle Glass hummingbird feeder is another uniquely beautiful feeder for your yard. This 16-ounce cobalt blue hardened square glass antique bottle attaches to a brushed silver base.

The base comes apart easily for cleaning and refilling. There is a metal hanger incorporated in the design, along with four shiny red feeding ports.

Amazon customers rated this pretty blue feeder 4.1 out of 5.0 stars. A notable 62 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

6. Best-1 Hummingbird Feeder

The Birds Choice Best-1 hummingbird feeder has a clear glass-measured reservoir so you can easily see when it’s time to refill. And it easily attaches to the bright red plastic base.

The two-piece base is easy to remove from the reservoir for filling and cleaning. The red base has two circular perches for hummers so they can sip comfortably from any of the eight feeding stations.

Amazon customers rated this popular feeder 4.3 out of 5.0 stars. A noteworthy 68 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars

7. More Birds Vintage Hummingbird Feeder

More Birds 20-ounce vintage hummingbird feeder has a beautiful aqua-tinted antique glass reservoir that attaches to a burnt penny finished base. A sturdy metal hanger is incorporated into the design of this feeder.

This feeder has a wide bottle opening and a detachable flat base for ease of cleaning and refilling. It also has five integrated perches positioned so hummers can easily sip from the five red-flowered feeding ports.

Amazon customers rated this vintage feeder 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. A respectable 70 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

8. Stokes Select Ruby Prism Hummingbird Feeder

The unique Stokes Select Ruby Prism hummingbird feeder is specifically designed to attract hummingbirds. The 24-ounce red prism-shaped shatter-proof polycarbonate reservoir attaches to a stainless steel base.

The Ruby Prism has a base that pulls apart easily for cleaning and filling. With its leak-resistant snug seal, there won’t be any messy drips. It comes with an “S” shaped hook so you can hang this piece-of-art feeder in a place of prominence.

Amazon customers rated the light-catching feeder 4.2 out of 5.0 stars. An extraordinary 72 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

Hummingbird Feeders: Comparison Table

Here’s a basic comparison table for our favorite hummingbird feeders:

Feeder ModelMaterialCapacity (oz)DesignFeatures
First Nature Hummingbird FeederPlastic32Circular with red base and yellow flowersWide-mouth opening, 10 feeding ports, easy to clean
Aspect HummZinger® High View ExcelPolycarbonate16High-view perch, red coverDrip and leak-proof, 4 feeding ports, raised perches, easy to disassemble and clean
Grateful Gnome Fiery Bell Tower Hummingbird FeederGlass and Metal20Bell tower design with vibrant colorsHandmade, large nectar capacity, easy to clean, includes hanging chain
REZIPO Blue Hand Blown Glass Hummingbird FeederGlass38Blue hand-blown glass with flower accentsHandcrafted, detachable parts for easy cleaning, S-hook included for hanging
Perky-Pet® Cobalt Blue Antique Bottle Glass Hummingbird FeederGlass16Vintage bottle design with blue colorAntique appearance, 4 feeding ports, base disassembles for easy cleaning
Birds Choice Best-1 Hummingbird FeederGlass32Circular red design with yellow flowers8 feeding ports, built-in ant moat, large capacity, easy to clean
More Birds Vintage Hummingbird FeederGlass20Vintage-inspired design with red accents5 integrated perches, wide-mouth bottle, easy to clean, built-in hanger
Stokes Select Ruby Prism Hummingbird FeederPolycarbonate24Ruby red prism design with multiple ports5 feeding ports, built-in ant moat, easy to disassemble for cleaning, hanging hook included

Please note that prices and features may vary, and it’s always a good idea to check the latest information and customer reviews before making a purchase.

Plus, A Bonus For Those With The Patience Of Job

red hummingbird feeder

Here’s a fun bonus feeder. For those of you with patience galore or those parents who want to get the kids to sit still and be quiet for a while, this one’s for you.

Aroma Trees’ handheld hummingbird feeders are perfect for all ages. This two-pack of handheld feeders also comes with suction cup mounts for when you get tired of sitting still. They are small enough to suction to your window and not fall off.

These bright red feeders, with their vibrant yellow flowers, also include perches for the hummers to sit and sip, as well as a brush to keep the feeders clean.

Amazon customers rated this fantastic feeder 4.6 out of 5.0 stars. An impressive 81 percent of reviewers rated this product 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

Now, Wait And Watch

hummingbird attracted to hummingbird feeder

You’ve planted the flowers, and you picked the best hummingbird feeder from our list and filled it with nectar. Now, sit back and wait for the hummers to show up. You might even want to try the hand-held feeder while you’re waiting.

Here are some things to remember about hummingbird feeders:

  • Because you should change the nectar at least twice a week, only fill your feeders halfway so that you will waste less nectar.
  • If you make your nectar, use one part refined white table sugar to four parts water. Boil the mixture for two minutes or until you dissolve all the sugar. Do not add red dye, and keep the syrup in the refrigerator.
  • Wash with warm, soapy water or with white vinegar and water. Always make sure you rinse the feeder thoroughly.
  • To keep the bees at bay, place your best hummingbird feeder in the shade. If you find mold in your feeder that you can’t reach, put some sand in water and shake vigorously until the sand cleans off the mold.
  • And do your best not to put insecticides in the hummer’s food chain.

TIP: Knowing how to spot the birds in your yard is key to enjoying visits from your winged friends as much as possible! The best sources are trusted books, I recommend using the following (Amazon links):
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
National Audubon Society Birds of North America

The Final Word

It is a myth that hummingbirds migrate on the backs of geese. These mighty minuscule marvels migrate on their own wing power. So, if your feeders are in the path of migration, keep them filled from early spring through late fall.

Let us know in the comments below which best hummingbird feeder you picked and other ways you attract hummingbirds to your backyard. And we’re especially interested in how many of you got hummingbirds to feed while you held the feeder.

Amy Connelly

As a little girl, I was fascinated by birds and liked to watch them in nature. This interest of mine has lasted until today, so I decided to create this website. This should be a place where all birdwatchers find anything and everything that they need for birdwatching.

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