How To Attract Hummingbirds With A Tube Bird Feeder

A tube bird feeder is one of the best tools to use to attract the hummingbird to you. Most people have seen the traditional type of water/sugar mixture in commercial outlets that say that they will help you to attract these birds. The problem is, most of them are flawed in their design. Before you invest any time or money into bird feeders for hummingbirds, know what to expect and how to purchase those feeders.

Bottle and saucer type of bird feeders often feature bright red colors on them. The idea is that the birdfeeder’s color will help to attract the hummingbird. While it is true that these brighter colored feeders will attract them, the liquid you place within them should be clear. When a hummingbird visits a flower, the nectar from the flowers is clear, not red. Further, some studies suggest that red food coloring could be harmful to hummingbirds.

Please do not use any honey in your bird feeders as this is harmful. Using honey will promote bacteria and fungus growth. Instead of a honey mixture, use a sugar mixture consisting of one-quarter cup of sugar per cup of water.

When selecting a bird feeder for the hummingbird, choose a tube bird feeder. This feeder design is optimal for feeder cleanliness. You can choose glass or plastic versions and some are designed with red coloring to make them a bit more attractive to the hummingbird. Do look for a tube bird feeder that has a screen or other device on it that keeps insects out of the solution.

More Tips For Success
To attract more hummingbirds to your backyard, try these tips.

• Be certain to clean the feeders regularly and change the sugar mixture every two days, this will keep bacteria from growing in the solution.

• Choose a smaller tube bird feeder rather than a larger one. These smaller varieties will be emptied by birds every day or so, making the perfect opportunity for you to clean them out.

• Always ensure that the tube bird feeder is wasp and bee proof. If your bird feeder is not bee or wasp resistant, bees could swarm the feeder and drive away hummingbirds.

• If you want to encourage other birds besides the hummingbird to visit the tube bird feeder, select a feeder that offers a larger sized perch. These bird feeders will attract woodpeckers, orioles and other birds to them, too.

Hummingbirds are a joy to watch and so it is important to use the proper components to attract them to your yard. However, a tube bird feeder set up as described makes the process easy.