A tube bird feeder is one of the best tools to use to attract the hummingbird to you. Most people have seen the traditional type of water/sugar mixture in commercial outlets that say that they will help you to attract these birds. One issue is that many of these are flawed. Before you invest any time or money into bird feeders for hummingbirds, know what to expect and how to purchase those feeders.
Many hummingbird feeders are designed with bright red colors. The idea is that the birdfeeder’s color will help to attract the hummingbird. While it is true that these brighter colored feeders will attract them, the liquid you place within them should be clear. When a hummingbird visits a flower, the nectar from the flowers is clear, not red. Further, some studies suggest that red food coloring could be harmful to hummingbirds.
Please do not use any honey in your bird feeders as this is harmful. Using honey will promote bacteria and fungus growth. Instead of a honey mixture, use a sugar mixture consisting of one-quarter cup of sugar per cup of water.
When selecting a bird feeder for the hummingbird, choose a tube bird feeder. This type of feeder can be easily taken apart for cleaning. You can choose glass or plastic versions and some are designed with red coloring to make them a bit more attractive to the hummingbird. Do look for a tube bird feeder that has a screen or other device on it that keeps insects out of the solution.
More Tips For Success
To attract more hummingbirds to your backyard, try these tips.
- For optimal bird health, be sure to change out the nectar solution and clean the feeder reservoir.
- Choose a smaller tube bird feeder rather than a larger one. These smaller varieties will be emptied by birds every day or so, making the perfect opportunity for you to clean them out.
- Always ensure that the tube bird feeder is wasp and bee proof. If you decide not to have a bee proof feeder, you will attract more bees and wasps than birds.
- You may also want additional bird species to feed in your backyard, if so, select a feeder with larger perches. These bird feeders will attract woodpeckers, orioles and other birds to them, too.
Hummingbirds are a lot of fun to watch and they can be incredibly difficult to attract if you do not have the right combination of elements. However, a tube bird feeder set up as described makes the process easy.