Hummingbirds are one of the most fascinating birds to observe in nature. Their agile flying, their beautiful iridescent colors, and their voracious appetites make them a joy to watch. Hummingbirds get most of their nutrition from flower nectar and tree sap. By providing them with a homemade hummingbird feeder, you can easily attract these tiny birds to your backyard.
What You Will Need
Making a hummingbird feeder at home is easy, inexpensive, and fun. Here are the supplies you will need:
- An empty plastic bottle – 20 oz or larger
- A drill with small drill bit
- All-natural cane sugar or clear sugar
- Water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Piece of string or twine
Step 1 – Gather and Prepare Materials
Start by thoroughly cleaning and drying a 20 oz or larger plastic bottle. Make sure there are no remaining traces of liquid inside. An empty soda, juice, or water bottle will work well. Pick out a plastic bottle that has smooth sides rather than deep ridges which could prevent the sugar water from flowing properly.
Next, gather the other necessary materials. For the hanger, you can use any type of string or twine that will fit through the plastic bottle opening. Choose any color food dye you like – red is a common choice as it mimics the color of natural nectar. Make sure to use pure cane sugar rather than artificial sweeteners. Stay away from raw sugar as well, which contains impurities. For the drill, select a small bit that will make a hole just big enough for the string to fit through later on.
Step 2 – Create Feeding Holes
Take the cap off the empty bottle. Turn the bottle upside down so the cap end is facing towards you. Use the drill to make several small holes near the bottom of the bottle, drilling horizontally through the plastic. Space the holes about 1 inch apart all the way around the circumference of the bottle.
These holes will allow the hummingbirds to reach their long beaks into the bottle to access the sugar water. The holes should be sized so an average hummingbird beak can fit inside. Making multiple holes ensures more than one hummingbird can feed at a time.
Step 3 – Make Hanging Hole
Once the small feeding holes are drilled, you need to create one larger hole near the top to use for hanging the feeder. Choose a spot about 1 inch below the rim of the bottle. Drill a single hole vertically all the way through the plastic. Make sure the hole is big enough for your hanging string or twine to fit through.
If available, you can also use a punch tool to create this hanging hole instead of drilling it. A single clean hole is ideal so the string can pass through easily.
Step 4 – Mix Sugar Water
With the bottle fully prepped, it’s time to make the delicious nectar to fill it up. Boil some water and measure out 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. For example, 1 cup of sugar mixed with 4 cups of water.
Stir the mixture continually so all the sugar fully dissolves. Allow the nectar to cool fully before pouring it into the feeder. Do not add food dye until the mixture has cooled or else the dye may lose its color.
If desired for aesthetic reasons, add several drops of food coloring once the nectar has cooled. Stir the dye thoroughly to evenly distribute the color. Red is common, but you can pick any vibrant shade to help attract the hummingbirds.
Step 5 – Fill and Hang Bottle
With the sugar water ready, carefully pour the nectar into the bottle through the large top hole. Leave about an inch of space at the top and stopper the hole once the feeder is full. You can plug it up with a cork if the fit is tight. Or, insert your hanging string through the top hole before filling and use it to hang up the feeder in your yard.
Position your feeder in an open area where hummingbirds frequent. Near gardens, trees, or spacious backyards are ideal spots. Make sure to hang it securely so it does not fall and spill.
Some options for hanging include:
- Tie string around a tree branch
- Hang from a porch or eve with a nail
- Place on a tall post or pole
- Set out on a window mount or hooks
Choose a method that works for your environment and gives the feeder good visibility. Hanging it at least 5 feet off the ground can help deter ants and other insects from getting into the nectar.
Tips for Success
Follow these tips and advice to get the most out of your homemade hummingbird feeder:
- Use pure cane sugar only – no honey, artificial sweeteners, etc
- Change the nectar every 2-3 days to prevent spoilage
- Clean the bottle fully with hot water every 1-2 weeks
- Store unused nectar in the fridge for up to 1 week
- Consider adding perches using wire or clothespins
- Don’t add any red dye to yellow parts of the bottle
- Place in partial or full shade to stop the sugar water from fermenting
Consider Using a Reservoir-Style Feeder
An alternative to the basic bottle feeder is to make a reservoir-style feeder instead. This involves drilling holes near the base of a large plastic bottle, then inverted and inserted into a wide-mouthed jar. The jar is filled partway with sugar water, which then flows up into the bottle through the holes.
The benefits of this style include:
- Less frequent refilling needed
- Easier to change sugar water
- Less risk of buildup and clogs
- Allows more birds to feed at once
Follow the same initial steps to prepare the materials and drill holes in the bottle. Then simply invert the bottle and place into a wide vase, jar, or container filled partially with the nectar mix.
Conclusion
Crafting your own hummingbird feeder is a fun, rewarding way to enjoy these special birds up close. With just a few basic materials and following the steps above, you can easily whip up a feeder in no time. Hang it properly, keep the sugar water fresh, and be patient for those first visitors. Once hummingbirds discover your oasis, they will joyfully return again and again.
Observing hummingbirds visiting your homemade habitat never loses its magic! With a diverse array of over 300 species, attracting these flying jewels gives you an up close look at one of nature’s most incredible and energetic creatures.
