Yes, Hummingbird Feeders Can Be Stylish. These 8 Picks Will Help Attract Pollinators to Your Garden.
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It’s always exciting to see a hummingbird in your garden, especially because they’re usually only there for a fleeting moment. These tiny-but-mighty flyers can travel thousands of miles during their migration, so they need plenty of fuel for their long journey ahead. While pollinator-friendly plants are a wonderful food source, hummingbirds can also get a much-needed energy boost from the simple sugar-water solution in your backyard feeder. Plus, hanging a hummingbird feeder could potentially attract more of them to your yard.
Emma Greig, project leader at Project Feeder Watch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, says, "If you set up a feeder and don’t see a hummer right away, be patient: sometimes it takes them a little while to learn the new food source."
Ahead with Greig's expert advice on what to look for in a hummingbird feeder, we’ve pulled together the best feeders for every type of outdoor space. All of these will help attract hummingbirds while keeping ants and other pests away. Not to mention, they’re stylish picks you won’t mind displaying in your yard or hanging on your patio.
Juegoal Glass Hummingbird Feeder
This inexpensive feeder is great for gardeners and bird watchers who want to quickly attract hummingbirds to their outdoor space. Plus, the little plastic flowers mimic how they'd feed on nectar from real flowers.
Testers say: "This feeder is so inexpensive, but it’s held up like a dream for multiple years. I love how easy it is to wash (the glass twists apart from the bottom and you can remove the tray). Plus, it’s easy to fill with homemade nectar. I think the red glass attracts hummingbirds, too. I have videos of multiple birds feeding at once!"
Juegoal Glass Hummingbird Feeder
amazon.com
$18.99
Headak Chimes Hummingbird Feeder
This hummingbird feeder also acts like a wind chime when it’s not in use. The art-like blown glass is a fun addition to your back yard, and the feeders come in multiple colors.
Reviewers say: "The feeder is beautiful and the tiny birds love it. We’ve had a bird on all six balls at one time. What a joy to watch them."
Headak Chimes Hummingbird Feeder
amazon.com
$39.99
Hanging Hummingbird Feeder
This planter-feeder combo is basically an all-you-can-eat buffet for hummingbirds. Plant pollinator-friendly flowers in the planter (think: fuchsia, lantana, petunias, salvia, or calibrachoa), and add a sugar-water solution to the three surrounding feeders to make your backyard hummers extra happy!
Testers say: "This planter, with its woven striped basket and hand-blown glass carafes, looks so charming on my patio! The feeder is weather-resistant and it's a breeze to clean. Not to mention, it's way prettier than a lot of hummingbird feeders!"
Hanging Hummingbird Feeder
$78.00
Three Station Hummingbird Feeder
Created by a former zookeeper at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, these solid copper hummingbird feeders are drip-free, bee- and wasp-proof, and virtually indestructible. They're used today by most of the zoos in the U.S. with hummingbird exhibits. And unlike may other feeders, this one comes with six, one-ounce dishwasher-safe plastic jars for easy cleaning.
Reviewers say: "A beautiful, well crafted and designed hummingbird feeder! The hummingbirds were buzzing around as I hung it up (in the same spot as the old feeder) and started using it immediately after I walked away. All of the feeders are designed well and have a perch for the hummingbirds to rest on while eating. I love how the feeders (and hummingbirds!) look, how easy it is to make sure the hummingbirds have fresh food, and how happy and comfortable they seem to be while using them."
Three Station Hummingbird Feeder
etsy.com
$90.00
Birdfy Feeder with Hummee Set
If you want to catch your hummingbirds in action (and have your camera send instant video notifications to you via the Birdfy app), this is the feeder for you. You can watch birds live in real time or enjoy the playback video for later. With a waterproof body and built-in drainage, you don't have to worry about mold—and the center portion can be used to hold birdseed to attract songbirds!
Reviewers say: "It was very easy to put together with good instructions. I had a regular birdfeeder before and enjoyed the occasional bird coming by, but WOW!!! Birdfy recorded so many birds that I had no idea we had!"
Birdfy Feeder with Hummee Set
birdfy.com
$189.99
Auslar Hummingbird Feeder
This feeder is basically a hummingbird magnet, thanks to its multiple feeder holes, resting spots, and bright red coloring. Bonus: It features an ant moat to deter pests.
Reviewers say: "This hummingbird feeder is just beautiful as well as functional. It's quite easy to clean, and fill with nectar."
Auslar Hummingbird Feeder
amazon.com
$19.99
Latitude Run® Dieguez Hummingbird Feeder
If you're looking for a sleek and simple hummingbird feeder that can be mounted on your wall or fence, you can call of the search. This one comes in four fun colors (red, orange, lime green, and aqua blue), making it perfect for summer months. In the winter, you can remove the hummingbird lid and use the glass jar to store birdseed, suet pellets, or mealworms for songbirds.
Reviewers say: "I love the modern design and bright color options. I found this feeder after searching long and hard for something that wasn't the plastic-y fake flower, long tube design that seemed to be everywhere. It took about 2 weeks for the hummingbirds to realize what it was, but now they come by multiple times a day. The glass container makes it much easier to clean, disinfect, and refill as often as is recommended and discourages bacterial growth. It feels solid and is designed well."
Latitude Run® Dieguez Hummingbird Feeder
wayfair.com
$56.99
Sweet Feeders Geometric Window Hummingbird Feeder
If you're trying to save on outdoor space or live in a city dwelling, this window feeder will still attract hummingbirds without taking up much real estate. Plus, the tubes remove from the feeder, making it a cinch to refill or clean.
Sweet Feeders Geometric Window Hummingbird Feeder
amazon.com
$27.99
What to Look for in a Hummingbird Feeder
When it comes to choosing the best hummingbird feeder, Greig says that simplicity is key. Here are some things she says to look for in a hummingbird feeder:
It's easy to clean: Hummingbirds like clean feeders and are more likely to drink from one that's tidy (wouldn't you rather eat from a clean restaurant?). Greig says, "Washing with warm soapy water or running them through the dishwasher are good ways to clean them."
It's an appropriate size: "Many places (e.g. the Northeast) don’t get large congregations of hummingbirds, so they don’t go through the nectar very quickly. Having small feeders helps remind us to refill them with fresh nectar often," Greig says.
It's filled with the right kind of food: It can be tempting to buy the pre-made red bottle of hummingbird nectar, but making your own is easy—and way better for the birds, according to Greig. "Making your own hummingbird food with sugar and water is ideal. Additives in commercial nectar may be untested for safety in birds, and hummingbirds don’t need them. Best to keep it simple!"
Is a Glass or Plastic Hummingbird Feeder Better?
Greig says that hummingbirds "don’t have a preference between glass and plastic." She adds, "The main thing to look for is a feeder with red coloration—that is a great cue for hummingbirds."
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About Our Expert
Emma Greig is the project leader at Project Feeder Watch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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