Getting the Most Out of Your Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbirds are one of nature's most fast paced as well as beautiful creatures. Though the exact amount of time is unknown, people have been attempting to attract hummingbirds to their gardens for hundreds if not thousands of years. Since fossils of hummingbirds have been discovered, it's quite possible the speedy bird may have been captivating humans long, long ago.

So why does this tiny yet majestic bird receive so much attention for simply doing what its survival instincts tell it to? Well, it can be said that it's in human nature to be observant, to learn, and to be entertained, even if that means hanging a feeder in or near a garden in order to look more attractive to a hummingbird.

When the hummingbird feeder first came about in the mid 20^th century, it was practically an instant seller to the American public. A rather simple concept, the feeder was easy to set up and mount wherever one would want and/or expect to see hummingbird activity. In time, many feeder designs came and went until finally it was found the best feeders were either bowl feeders, or bottle feeders.

Hummingbird feeders are filled with sweetened liquid, not seeds like most common bird feeders. This is because the anatomy of the hummingbird is suited just right for sucking the nectar out of flowers. Hence, the feeder is used in the same way as the sweetened liquid is continuously disbursed through openings the birds can reach. They simply fly up, insert their pointed beaks, get what they need and it's off again, all usually in under 10 seconds. The real food of the hummingbird is mainly insects, so the feeders really just "hold them over" until actual food is found.

In order to for the feeder to receive the most action, having either pink, red, or coral colored liquid is a must. If not the liquid, then be sure the container is one of those colors. Reason being pink, red, and coral colored flowers produce the most nectar. Also, using a feeder which has some kind of a stand for the bird to rest on would more likely raise the level of activity and give you a longer look at the bird, since they would much rather sit than hover (imagine that).

Many people have trouble keeping the birds coming back for more. This is most likely because the liquid has become contaminated or infected and spoiled. When the birds drink this, they know almost immediately the liquid is bad and simply move on. To prevent this kind of problem, be sure your feeder is taken down and cleaned often and has what is called a bottle reservoir to protect from any of this.

Perhaps the biggest problem one will usually encounter while owning a hummingbird feeder is ants. It seems as if no matter what, they find some way of reaching the sugary water. The best way to counteract this is to first hose down the feeder and its stand removing all existing ants. Let dry then apply some form of ant or insect spray near and on the stand. DO NOT SPRAY ON THE FEEDER. THIS WILL KILL THE BIRDS. Doing this a few time a week should be enough to keep ants away. Another small step that could be taken is for the string connecting the feeder to the stand to be as small as possible so the fewest number of ants could reach the feeder.