The Hummingbird Feeder That Seems Like Trouble Right Out Of The Box

There's nothing quite like looking outside to find hummingbirds darting from flower to flower on a lovely spring day. You may even have a few colorful feeders scattered about the yard to attract more hummingbirds to your garden. If so, it's important to choose the right kind. There are many types of hummingbird feeders from which to choose — saucer, bottle, hand-held, and so on. You can even DIY an affordable hummingbird feeder out of a mason jar that you and your hummers will love. These graceful yet feisty birds appreciate a feeder that is clean with a simple design that makes it easy to drink the nectar you provide. The ports should be clear and accessible, and the perches should make it comfortable for them to feed. Ants can be a problem because they love sugar water too, so look for feeders with a moat to keep them away. Also, be sure to choose a product that fits together well to avoid a sticky situation that attracts unwanted visitors.

That said, not all feeders on the market are best for hummingbirds. According to several comments on a video by Hummingbird Haus on YouTube, one particular hexagonal bird feeder available on a number of questionable sites is especially problematic, with a weak base, hard-to-clean ports, and a design that seems to frustrate and confuse hummingbird visitors.

Hummingbird Haus points out many issues with this feeder right out of the box. The hook that attaches to the base is plastic and wobbly, so it doesn't hang properly and spills when the birds land on one side or the user overfills the tray. Plus, once you attach the hook, it cannot be removed for easy cleaning and cracks the base with the slightest movement. In fact, the base cracked twice during the video review. The lid, which contains the ports, doesn't sit flush on the base, so any movement makes a jiggling noise that can frighten your bird friends. Not good!

The feeding ports are another issue. The protruding hexagonal shapes make it hard for hummingbirds to see the drinking holes and they're also difficult to keep clean. The Audubon Society recommends emptying and cleaning hummingbird feeders at least every other day in the summer or anytime it's hot outside. Having a feeder that is hard to clean makes this task nearly impossible. Not only that, but if the hummers want to land and feed, that's a problem too. Sadly, the distance between the perches and the ports is too great for their little bodies. Bottom line: If you want to keep happy hummingbirds coming back to your garden, opt for a different design that meets their needs.