Hummingbirds are beautiful, tiny birds that are a joy to watch. Many people enjoy attracting hummingbirds to their yard by setting up feeders. While you can buy commercial hummingbird feeders, making your own can be easy, fun, and inexpensive. Homemade hummingbird feeders allow you to get creative and make a unique feeder customized to your own yard and taste. This article will provide complete, step-by-step instructions on how to make a simple homemade hummingbird feeder using common household materials.
What are the main considerations when making a homemade hummingbird feeder?
When deciding to make a homemade hummingbird feeder, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Using the proper sugar-to-water ratio – It’s important to use a 1:4 ratio of white granulated sugar dissolved in water. This proportion mimics the natural nectar that hummingbirds feed on.
- Color – Bright colors like red, orange, and yellow attract hummingbirds best. Avoid darker colors.
- Size of feeding ports – Feeding ports should be small, about 1⁄4 inch in diameter, to accommodate the long, slender beaks of hummingbirds.
- Using materials that are easy to clean – You’ll need to clean the feeder about every 2-3 days so it’s important to use materials that can be washed easily.
- Proper hanging location – Hang the feeder in an open spot about 5 feet off the ground near natural sources of nectar or flowering plants that attract hummingbirds.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you make a great homemade hummingbird feeder that both you and the hummingbirds will love!
What are the main materials needed to make a homemade hummingbird feeder?
The good news about homemade hummingbird feeders is that they can be made with simple, inexpensive materials you may already have around your home. Here are the main materials you’ll need:
- A small, shallow container – This will form the base of your feeder. Plastic containers like small bowls, jars, or bottles work well. Glass containers can also be used.
- A lid – Find a plastic lid that fits tightly over the opening of your container. You’ll poke holes in this later for the feeding ports.
- A wire hanger – This will be used to hang your feeder. You can use the existing hook shape or bend the hanger into a new shape if desired.
- Pliers or drill – To make the feeding holes and holes to insert the hanger.
- Sugar and water – For the 1:4 mixture of sugar water that fills your feeder.
- Food coloring (optional) – For coloring the water to make it more attractive. Use red, orange or yellow colors.
Beyond these basics, you can get creative and use any decorative items you may have to embellish your feeder like ribbons, flowers, beads, or paint.
What are the step-by-step instructions for making a homemade hummingbird feeder?
Follow these simple steps to make your own hummingbird feeder at home:
- Clean your container and lid thoroughly with hot water and let dry.
- Use a drill or pliers to poke 2-4 small holes, about 1⁄4 inch in diameter, up through the bottom of your container. Space the holes evenly apart.
- Use a drill or hammer and nail to poke 2 holes on opposite sides of the lid so you can thread your hanger through later.
- Measure 1 part sugar and 4 parts water into a saucepan. For example, 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.
- Let the sugar water cool completely before pouring into your feeder container.
- Add 2-3 drops of red or other bright food coloring if desired and stir in thoroughly.
- Thread your wire hanger through the holes on the lid. Secure it by twisting the wire or adding a small bead or knot so it doesn’t slip back through.
- Screw on the lid tightly.
- Hang your feeder 5-6 feet off the ground near natural sources of nectar or blooming flowers.
- Clean and replace the sugar water solution every 2-3 days, or when it looks cloudy.
And that’s it! Your homemade hummingbird feeder is ready to attract these mesmerizing tiny birds to your yard. The bright colors and sugar water will entice them in no time. Be sure to keep it freshly filled and enjoy watching the hummingbirds feed!
What common objects can be used to make creative hummingbird feeders?
One of the best parts of making your own hummingbird feeder is letting your creativity run wild! You can transform many common household objects into unique, decorative feeders that add artistic flair to your yard or garden. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Mason Jars – Tie ribbon around the jar lid after poking holes in it. Attach a wire hanger to the lid or ribbon.
- Glass bottles – Recycle an old wine bottle, vinegar bottle, or drink bottle. Remove labels, clean, and add lid and hanger.
- Wooden trays – Stain or paint a shallow wooden tray or box. Drill holes up through the bottom and add a hanger.
- Terra cotta pots – Poke holes up through the bottom of a terra cotta or plastic flower pot. Loop wire through drainage hole at bottom to hang.
- Light bulbs – Plastic holiday lights make great unusual feeders. Add lid, wire, and hanging supplies.
You’re limited only by your imagination when brainstorming fun objects to repurpose into functional and beautiful hummingbird feeders. Get the whole family involved by making a variety of colorful feeders and see which homemade design the hummingbirds like best!
What are some best practices for maintaining and cleaning hummingbird feeders?
To keep your homemade hummingbird feeder working properly and avoid potential health hazards for hummingbirds, follow these best practices for maintenance and cleaning:
- Change the sugar water every 2-3 days, or whenever it looks cloudy or dirty.
- Wash the feeder with hot water only – no soap. Soap residue can harm hummingbirds.
- Use a bottle brush to scrub the feeding ports if needed to remove residue.
- Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry completely before refilling.
- Don’t let sugar water sit in the feeder for prolonged periods between changings.
- Consider making a large batch of sugar water and storing excess in the fridge for easy refilling.
- Never use brown sugar, honey, artificial sweeteners, or food coloring.
- Periodically use a diluted bleach solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to sterilize your feeder if needed.
With proper maintenance and cleaning, your homemade hummingbird feeder can provide healthy, sugar water energy for hummingbirds all season long!
What are some tips for getting hummingbirds to discover and use your feeder?
It may take a little while for hummingbirds to discover your feeder after you set it up. Here are some helpful tips to get them to start using it:
- Fill your feeder and have it ready up to 2 weeks before hummingbirds arrive in your area so they see it right away.
- Place your feeder near bright red or other brightly colored flowers, which will help attract them.
- Sit near the feeder when you first set it up to draw their attention and activity to that area.
- Add more feeding ports or multiple feeders spread apart to accommodate more birds at once.
- Move very slowly and quietly around the feeder area so you don’t startle visiting hummingbirds.
- Avoid using pesticides on plants near the feeder as hummingbirds are sensitive to chemicals.
- Provide a water source like a mister, fountain, or bird bath for hummingbirds to bathe and drink.
With a properly made and maintained feeder set up in a strategic spot, hummingbirds are sure to find and frequent your homemade creation in no time!
Conclusion
Crafting your own hummingbird feeder is an easy, enjoyable project that allows you to use your creativity while making a functional bird feeder. Customizing your feeder with recycled household items gives it a unique, handmade touch you won’t find with store-bought models. By following the guidelines on proportions, materials, and maintenance provided here, you’ll be able to make a feeder that provides healthy food source to attract gorgeous hummingbirds to your yard. Getting to watch these energetic tiny birds buzz around your homemade creation as they feed will bring you joy for seasons to come.
