By Hummingbirds arrive in most of the US by May 1, having gone through a progressive migration northward through April; once they arrive in their chosen place for the summer, they can be highly territorial. A good hummingbird feeder, set up and kept clean and full will attract nesting pairs during the all-important decision process and will allow you to enjoy viewing them throughout the summer months.
Serious hummingbird aficionados may prefer an expensive feeder or usually a series of many less expensive feeders. It is not much extra effort to clean and fill several feeders than it is just one. High priced ones are typically made from glass and can last generations, and attract the birds by the liberal use of bright and contrasting colors. With the right placement you are almost guaranteed to have hummingbirds in your yard. It does not matter the cost of the product to the bird, just that good nectar is available in quantity and often.
Cheap hummingbird feeders are literally anything that can hold liquid that allow the birds to access to the contents, that is, it could be a flower like place to sip or a bowl like nozzle to stick the beak into. The cheap hummingbird feeders tend to be made of plastic, and many times clear plastic, even advanced plastics, will not withstand too many seasons in the ultraviolet rays of the sun. They tend to yellow, cloud and eventually crack. However, they are inexpensive in the first place and can be easily replaced and discarded without remorse. And to the delight of hummingbird fans, many feeders tend to attract many birds.
The main manufacturers of hummingbird feeders are More Birds, Schrodt and First Nature, Perky-Pet, Cherry Valley, Avant Garden and Birdscapes. All of them offer extensive range of models at varied prices, including some hummingbird feeders that can accommodate a good many birds at one time, which is especially important for tired and hungry birds on their way North or South during migration.
My research identified three very popular hummingbird feeders to fit into the category of the best ones namely More Birds, Schrodt and First Nature.
- The More Birds Vintage Hummingbird Feeder is available for only $24 at Amazon
- The Schrodt Crystal Spiral Hummingbird Feeder is available for only $35 at Amazon.
- The First Nature 32-ounce Hummingbird Feeder is available for only $10 at Amazon.
