When it comes to choosing a hummingbird feeder, two of the most popular options are glass and plastic. But which material makes for the better hummingbird feeder? There are pros and cons to both types, so it really comes down to personal preference. In this article, we’ll compare glass vs. plastic hummingbird feeders to help you decide which is right for you.
Durability
One of the biggest considerations when choosing a hummingbird feeder is durability. You want something that will stand up to the elements and last for many seasons. Here is how glass and plastic feeders compare when it comes to durability:
Glass
– Glass is very durable and resistant to cracks and chips. High quality borosilicate glass can withstand years of exposure to sun, rain, and cold temperatures. However, glass can shatter if dropped or hit with something hard like a baseball or large hail.
– Glass feeders don’t become brittle and degraded from UV light exposure like plastic feeders can.
– Glass won’t warp or bend out of shape in hot weather.
Plastic
– Plastic feeders are impact resistant. If dropped they are less likely to break compared to glass models.
– Plastic can become brittle and degraded over time with sun exposure. This leads to cracking and leaks.
– Plastic feeders can warp and bend in high heat.
– Mold and mildew can build up more easily on plastic than glass.
When it comes to durability and longevity, glass appears to have the advantage over plastic. Glass is very resistant to weather damage and won’t degrade like plastic can. However, plastic’s impact resistance makes it less prone to breaking if dropped. So if your yard is prone to visits from rambunctious kids or pets that might knock over the feeder, plastic could be the safer choice.
Ease of cleaning
Hummingbird feeders need to be cleaned frequently to prevent mold, bacteria, and fungus growth. The easier a feeder is to clean, the better. Here’s how glass and plastic feeders compare for cleaning:
Glass
– Glass feeders are very easy to thoroughly scrub clean. Glass does not degrade or become etched from cleaning.
– There are no small crevices or seams on glass feeders that can trap debris and moisture.
– Glass is resistant to staining and food buildup. Any debris generally washes away easily.
Plastic
– Plastic can become etched and degrade over time from cleaning. Scrubbing can create micro-abrasions that trap dirt.
– Cheaper plastic feeders often have small seams and ridges where mold can grow. These areas are hard to access for cleaning.
– Plastic is more prone to staining from the sugar nectar and buildup of food debris.
The smooth non-porous surface of glass makes it the clear winner when it comes to ease of cleaning. Glass feeders can be scrubbed vigorously with no risk of damage. Meanwhile plastic can develop tiny pits and cracks that are magnets for grime. When it comes to cleaning, glass feeders are the lower maintenance option.
Clarity
Being able to easily see how much nectar is left in your feeder is important for maintenance. Here is how glass and plastic feeders compare in terms of clarity:
Glass
– Glass provides excellent clarity to easily view the nectar level as you approach the feeder.
– Glass won’t become cloudy or stained over time to obscure visibility of the nectar.
Plastic
– Lower quality plastic can become stained and cloudy over time, making it hard to see the nectar level through the plastic.
– Even clear plastic feeders lack the crystal clear visibility of glass.
– Plastic also scratches more easily than glass, further reducing clarity over time.
When it comes to optimal visibility of the nectar, glass is once again the winner over plastic. Glass provides excellent long-lasting clarity. Meanwhile plastic can become stained and scratched, negatively impacting visibility. Being able to clearly see the nectar level allows you to keep fresh nectar in the feeder at all times.
Insulation
A good hummingbird feeder should help regulate the temperature of the nectar. Here’s how glass and plastic compare:
Glass
– Glass provides very little insulation. The nectar easily takes on the surrounding ambient temperature.
– On hot days, glass feeders can allow the nectar to become dangerously hot for hummingbirds.
Plastic
– Plastic provides better insulation than glass. It helps resist temperature changes.
– The nectar stays cooler on hot days and warmer in cold temperatures compared to glass.
– Thicker plastic provides better insulation than thin plastic.
Plastic is the clear winner when it comes to insulation. Its superior insulating properties help maintain the nectar at safe temperatures for hummingbirds in hot or cold weather. Glass provides virtually no protection against temperature changes. So if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, a plastic feeder may be a safer choice.
Leakproofing
You don’t want nectar dripping all over the place. Here’s how glass and plastic feeders compare at preventing messy leaks:
Glass
– Glass feeders are primarily sealed with rubber gaskets, which can become brittle and cracked over time leading to leaks.
– Glass can chip and crack if dropped, resulting in leaks.
– Condensation on glass can allow nectar to seep out small openings.
Plastic
– Quality plastic feeders are designed as one solid piece with welded seams that won’t leak.
– Plastic is flexible so it won’t crack if dropped and maintains a tight seal.
– Fewer issues with condensation dripping nectar as seen with glass models.
Plastic feeders tend to have fewer problems with leaks, especially as they age. The flexibility of plastic allows it to maintain leak-proof seams over time. Glass relies more on rubber gaskets for sealing, which degrade and become brittle. Condensation can also lead to nectar seeping from glass feeders. If you want to minimize messy leaks, plastic feeders tend to have the advantage.
Safety
Any hummingbird feeder material should be made from safe, non-toxic substances. Here’s how glass and plastic compare in terms of safety:
Glass
– Plain soda-lime glass is used for most inexpensive feeders. This glass contains traces of lead.
– Higher quality borosilicate glass is lead-free and safe, but costs more.
– Glass won’t leach chemicals into the nectar or degrade over time.
Plastic
– Lower quality plastics can leach chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) into nectar, especially when heated.
– Higher quality plastics are BPA-free and food safe.
– Plastics can degrade over time, allowing chemicals to leach during use.
When it comes to safety, borosilicate glass and high quality food safe plastics are on par. The big concern is lower quality plastics potentially leaching chemicals, especially when heated in the sun. Lower cost imported glass can also contain traces of lead. So with either material, do research to ensure you purchase a feeder made with safe, non-toxic materials.
Cost
Let’s look at how glass and plastic feeders compare cost-wise:
Glass
– Plain soda-lime glass feeders are inexpensive, often under $15.
– Higher quality borosilicate feeders cost $20 and above.
Plastic
– Simple single-port plastic feeders start around $5.
– Elaborate multi-port feeders cost $20 and up.
There is quite a bit of overlap when it comes to cost. You can spend anywhere from $5 to $50+ on either material. In general, basic plastic feeders tend to be cheaper while fancier glass feeders with decorative elements command higher prices. But there are affordable and expensive options in both materials.
Weather resistance
Hummingbird feeders are exposed to rain, sun, and temperature extremes. Here is how the materials compare:
Glass
– Resistant to sun exposure and UV light – won’t degrade or become brittle.
– Glass won’t warp or deform in heat or cold temperatures.
– Sudden temperature changes can cause glass to crack or shatter.
– Rain and moisture can lead to algae film on glass.
Plastic
– Plastic can become brittle and degraded with long-term sun exposure.
– Plastic can warp in high heat and become brittle when frozen.
– More impact resistant if hit by hail.
– Less likely to have algae film issues than glass.
For weather resistance, glass is better in terms of stability while plastic better handles impact. Glass won’t degrade with sunlight, warp with heat, or become brittle if frozen. But it can crack if hit by hail. Plastic better withstands impact but can have issues with becoming warped, brittle, and degraded over time. Pick plastic for high impact areas or glass for stability.
Colors
The colors and visual appearance of a feeder may be important to you. Here are the material differences:
Glass
– Plain glass appears clear or transparent green.
– Can be frosted or etched to diffuse light.
– Colored glass gives a wide spectrum of color options.
Plastic
– Most plastics used are clear or solid colors like red or yellow.
– Opaque and translucent plastic diffuses light well.
– Limited in bold and striking colors compared to glass.
For vibrant and striking colors, glass has a distinct advantage. Colored glass can provide any hue across the rainbow. Plastic is best for single solid colors or clear. So if color variety is important, glass opens up more decorative possibilities.
Styles
There are many hummingbird feeder shapes and styles to choose from. Here are some key differences:
Glass
– Hourglass and tube shaped feeders are common glass styles.
– Glass artisan feeders come in fanciful shapes like flowers or birds.
– Can be etched or cut into decorative patterns.
Plastic
– Simple single-port saucer styles very affordable in plastic.
– Multi-port feeders allow for more feeding ports.
– Most affordable styles are basic while higher-end plastics mimic glass shapes.
For intricate and decorative feeder shapes, glass stands out. Hourglasses, tubes, flowers – glass can be formed into varied flowing shapes. Basic saucer-styles and pragmatic multi-port feeders are prevalent with plastic. Glass gives you more decorative freedom.
Material Summary
To recap the key differences between materials:
Glass pros:
- Very durable and long-lasting
- Easy to thoroughly clean
- Excellent clarity for viewing nectar
- Wide variety of striking colors
- Artistic and decorative styles
Glass cons:
- Prone to breaking if dropped
- Poor insulator – nectar heats up
- Leaks can develop over time
- Plain glass may contain traces of lead
Plastic pros:
- Impact resistant if dropped
- Good insulator to regulate nectar temperature
- Flexible – maintains leakproof seal
- Very affordable simple styles
Plastic cons:
- Can degrade, warp, crack over time
- Difficult to fully clean
- Prone to scratched and clouding
- Limited color options
Conclusion
So which is better – glass or plastic? There are good arguments on both sides. Here are some final tips to help you decide:
- If temperature regulation is critical, plastic is the safest bet.
- For crystal clear visibility go with glass.
- Choose plastic for areas prone to impact like accidental drops or hail.
- Pick glass if durability and easy cleaning are top priorities.
- For bold colors and decorative styles, glass offers more variety.
- Simple inexpensive single-port feeders are often plastic.
- Research materials to ensure food safety for either option.
Take your climate, priorities, and aesthetic tastes into account when deciding between plastic and glass. Both can make excellent choices as hummingbird feeders. Provide fresh nectar and proper cleaning, and hummingbirds will flock to whichever option you select!
