Hummingbirds are beautiful, fascinating creatures that are a joy to watch. With their fast wing beats and ability to hover and fly backwards, they almost seem to defy physics as they nimbly flit from flower to flower.
Many people love having hummingbirds visit their gardens and yards. One easy way to attract them is by setting up a hummingbird feeder. But you don’t need to spend money on an expensive store-bought feeder – you can make your own using a simple peanut butter jar!
In this 5000 word guide, we will walk through the entire process of turning a clean peanut butter jar into a fully functional, easy-to-use hummingbird feeder. We will cover:
- Choosing the right jar
- Mixing up sugar water nectar
- Making feeding holes and perches
- Hanging and positioning your feeder
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Troubleshooting common issues
Whether you want to make backyard bird feeding a new hobby or are just looking for a fun craft project, creating a homemade hummingbird feeder is simple, cheap, and rewarding. Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Jar
When selecting a peanut butter jar to turn into a hummingbird feeder, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
Size – You want a jar that is large enough to hold a decent amount of liquid, but not gargantuan. Aim for a capacity between 16-32 oz. This will allow you to mix up plenty of nectar at once without being overly heavy when full.
Shape – Cylindrical jars work better than tapered jars. The straight sides mean the nectar level will go down evenly as it’s consumed, keeping the flower feeding holes submerged.
Lid – Look for a jar with a wide mouth screw-on lid. The wider opening makes it easier to fill, clean, and add ingredients. The screw threading will let you tightly seal the nectar inside.
Glass – Clear glass allows you to easily monitor the nectar level. Glass is also impermeable so it won’t absorb smells or colors that could contaminate the nectar.
Once you’ve found a jar matching these criteria, make sure to wash it thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Rinse away any soap residue. Let it air dry completely before using.
A clean 32 oz cylindrical glass peanut butter jar with a screw lid is ideal, but you can get creative with other jars and bottles too. Just be sure it holds enough nectar, seals tightly, and is made from non-porous material.
Mixing the Sugar Water Nectar
Hummingbirds feed on the nectar of flowers, which is essentially sugary water. By mimicking this mixture, we can fill a hummingbird feeder with an appetizing, nourishing liquid.
Here is a simple sugar water recipe:
1 part white granulated sugar
4 parts water
Don’t use any substitutes like honey, brown sugar, or artificial sweeteners. Hummingbirds need plain white sucrose sugar for energy.
Bring the water to a boil first to ensure the sugar fully dissolves. Measure carefully using spoons or a measuring cup. For a 32 oz jar, you would use 8 oz of sugar mixed into 32 oz of water.
Let the mixture cool completely before filling your jar. Never put hot liquid into a glass container.
Store any leftover nectar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Discard and remake after that since the sugar water can start growing mold.
Here are some additional nectar tips:
- No red dye is necessary – the sugar water alone will attract the hummingbirds.
- Never use honey or artificial sweeteners.
- You can adjust the sugar ratio based on your climate. More sugar (up to 1:3) is better in hot regions to provide more energy.
- Reheat refrigerated nectar before reusing to help dissolve any sugar crystals.
- Consider adding electrolytes during especially hot weather.
Follow this basic 4:1 sugar water recipe and the hummingbirds will start flocking to your feeder in no time!
Making the Feeding Holes
The most important step in converting a regular jar into a functional hummingbird feeder is making appropriately sized feeding holes. This allows the hummingbirds to easily insert their long beaks and tongues into the nectar.
Here are some tips for making great feeding holes:
Use a drill – Hammering usually results in cracked glass. Use a power drill with a 1/4 inch bit for clean, precise holes. Go slowly to avoid shattering the jar.
Angle the holes – Drill at a 45 degree downward angle along the side of the jar. This ensures rainwater won’t pool and contaminates the nectar.
Make multiple holes – Hummingbirds are territorial, so having several holes allows more birds to feed.Aim for 8-10 holes, spacing them a few inches apart.
Check the height – Holes should start about 1-2 inches above the bottom so birds can easily drain the nectar. Concentrate them in the middle third of the jar.
Do a test run – Mix up some nectar and pour it in to verify the holes work as intended before hanging up your feeder. Adjust as needed.
With several angled 1/4 inch holes positioned correctly, your peanut butter jar will now function just like a store-bought hummingbird feeder!
Adding Perches
Hummingbirds have incredibly weak feet relative to their body size. They can’t grasp thick branches or perch on most bird feeders. However, we can modify a peanut butter jar to give them a place to comfortably rest their tiny feet while feeding.
Here are some options for adding perches:
Plastic straws – Insert short segments of plastic straw into the feeding holes from the outside. Make sure the ends point up so they don’t block the holes.
Straight pins – Carefully push straight pins into the jar rim from the outside, leaving the pinheads sticking out as mini perches.
Craft sticks – Use mini craft sticks cut into 1-2 inch pieces and glue them below the holes. Ensure they angle upward.
Metal wire – Shape thin wires into U brackets. Affix them just under the feeding holes using strong glue or waterproof tape.
Wooden dowels – Drill small pilot holes and insert short lengths of 1/4 inch wooden dowels into the jar lid for sturdy perches.
Install at least one perch by every feeding hole so the hummingbirds always have a good place to rest their feet while eating. Don’t use rough material like sandpaper that could hurt their feet.
Hanging the Feeder
Now that your peanut butter jar has been transformed into a fully functional hummingbird feeder, it’s time to hang it up outside and waiting for the birds to discover it.
Here are some tips on ideal feeder placement:
Near flowers/plants – Hang it in a garden area, or at least near flowering shrubs, trees and flower pots. This establishes it in their feeding zone.
Protected from wind – Avoid hang spots that are exposed to strong winds and gusts, which can blow the nectar out of the holes.
Partially shaded – Dappled sunlight is ideal, to avoid the nectar heating up and spoiling too quickly.
Elevated position – Mount at least 5 feet off the ground to deter ants and keep cats from batting at it.
Look for branches – Taking advantage of tree branches or hooks simplifies hanging. Use wire or string to suspend it.
Watch the angle – A slight forward tilt lets birds feed more naturally without spilling too much nectar.
No obstructions – Select a spot with a clear flyway so hummingbirds can easily approach and exit the feeder.
Position your homemade feeder properly, and be thrilled as hummingbirds quickly find it and begin feasting on the nourishing nectar you’ve provided!
Ongoing Maintenance
To keep your hummingbird feeder functioning properly and avoid potential health hazards, it’s important to perform regular maintenance. Here are some tasks to work into your routine:
Check nectar level daily – Top it off anytime the level gets low so birds always have enough.
Wash weekly – Use hot water and vinegar to scrub away mold, bacteria, and mineral deposits. Rinse thoroughly.
Change nectar every 2-4 days – Dump old nectar as it starts looking cloudy or developing sludge at the bottom.
Adjust position – Move it around slightly week-to-week so the feed area stays clean.
Watch for bees – Consider moving or limiting daytime access if it starts attracting too many bees.
Take down in winter – Hummingbird migration means you should remove your feeder during the winter months.
Remove black mold immediately – This deadly fungus can grow in spoiled nectar. Avoid it with a strict cleaning regimen.
With proper maintenance and care, a peanut butter jar hummingbird feeder should continue attracting its bright, buzzing visitors all season long!
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes problems arise with homemade hummingbird feeders made from repurposed jars. Here are some potential issues and solutions:
Ants in the feeder – Coat string or wire with petroleum jelly above feeder. Mix cayenne pepper in nectar. Relocate away from ants.
Bees clustering on feeder – Limit feeder access during day. Move to less sunny spot. Try a [bee guard](https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Bee-Guards-Feeders-Guard/dp/B07DHNSKTW).
Nectar molding quickly – Replace nectar more frequently. Thoroughly clean all elements weekly. Consider adding vinegar.
Cloudy nectar – Dirty water introduces bacteria. Use filtered or boiled water. Replace nectar more often.
Leaking nectar – Tighten lid. Add more perches by holes. Adjust angle slightly downward. Plug holes and redrill if necessary.
Chipped or cracked jar – Discard immediately. Microscopic glass shards can harm hummingbirds. Replace with new jar.
With a little trial and error, you can troubleshoot any issues that arise and keep your homemade hummingbird feeder functioning optimally all season long!
Conclusion
Converting empty peanut butter jars into easy, affordable hummingbird feeders is a fun and fulfilling backyard project. With a properly cleaned glass jar, homemade nectar, and a handful of simple modifications like feed holes and perches, you can build an accessory that provides hours of up-close viewing of these energetic, impressive birds.
Install it near enchanting flowers and gardens that hummingbirds frequent, keep it filled with fresh nectar, and maintain it diligently to get the most enjoyment. Troubleshoot any issues promptly to ensure your feeder provides a healthy, harm-free haven.
The brilliant colors, graceful movements, and lightning-fast wings of hummingbirds will quickly make their way to your homemade feeder. With this guide, you’ll understand exactly how to transform a recycled peanut butter jar into an optimal, functional nectar-feeding station those energetic jewels of nature will flock to all season long. Enjoy the magic right in your own backyard!
