High-End Hummingbird Feeders
A high-end hummingbird feeder can ease the daily routine of hummingbirds in frantic search of a sugar fix and keep them coming back for more. A hummingbird’s diet consists primarily of insects, though extra nourishment of sugar in the form of flowers’ nectar is required to provide insect-hunting strength for these quick-winged creatures. In fact, with the exception of insects, hummingbirds while in flight have the fastest metabolism of all animals, due to the energy required to support their rapidly beating wings.
Per day, hummingbirds consume more than their own weight in nectar and thus must visit hundreds of flowers to survive. A recipe of one part ordinary white cane sugar and four parts water will ensure a mixture of optimal sucrose content favored by North American hummingbirds.
Colors
Because hummingbirds are naturally attracted to bright colors (nature’s way of pointing them toward healthy flowers), a hummingbird feeder is typically colored in a shade of red to be as attractive and noticeable to as many hummingbirds as possible. The best feeders on the market are entirely red with dashes of yellow or green to emulate bright, healthy flowers most effectively. In fact, Perky-Pet manufactures a popular, highly effectual feeder called the Strawberry Hummingbird Feeder. This particular model comes in the shape of a giant strawberry, which hummingbirds wildly respond to. The Perky-Pet Strawberry Hummingbird Feeder is sure to attract a flock of hummingbirds in search of much-needed nourishment, and provide any observers with an exciting photo opportunity.
Durability
An important feature of the Perky-Pet Strawberry Feeder, and of all the glass made, high-end hummingbird feeders on the market, is its shatterproof durability. Hummingbirds often land roughly on the feeder and repeatedly bump into it, which stresses the necessity of both a sturdy attachment from which the feeder is hung and of strong, sturdy perches for the “hummers” to cling to (though some photographers prefer feeders without perches at all in order to catch hovering hummingbirds for more intriguing photos).
It should also be noted that because the best hummingbird feeder is already colored red, it is not necessary to include red dye when mixing the nectar recipe. The effects of colored dye on hummingbirds have in rare cases been proven to cause negative side effects, and so the risk is most definitely not worth taking.
High-End Feeders
The HummZinger Hummingbird Feeder is also an extremely popular feeder manufacturer that offers a variety of rugged feeders with specific features. They all, however, possess ease of disassembly, which is important for any feeder-owner as hummingbird feeders need to be cleaned at least once a month and (during feeding season) refilled at least two times per week. The HummZinger Ultra Feeder includes four feeding ports, and boasts its reputation as the most insect-proof feeder on the market. Though hummingbirds feed on insects, hummingbird feeders are susceptible to intrusive feeding of such notorious characters as bees, wasps, and yellow jackets, thereby hogging nectar meant for hummingbird nourishment. The HummZinger Ultra Feeder is made with flexible membranes that cater to hummingbird’s bills and form an impenetrable barrier to insects. The HummZinger Excel is HummZinger’s most popular model because of its particularly large capacity (16 oz.), and its integrated wraparound perch that encourages hummingbirds to stay and feed longer.
Cheaper High-End Feeders
Though the HummZinger Ultra Feeder is the most durable insect-repellant feeder on the market, a slightly more frugal option to consider may be the Perky-Pet Oasis. The Oasis is just as effective as the HummZinger Ultra in keeping itself exclusive to hummingbirds, though other design flaws have driven customers away. For example, the Oasis perch is slightly too far from the nectar port for smaller hummingbirds, leaving these hummers to hover while others remain comfortably perched. Also, the Oasis has been reported to hang slightly crooked, which oftentimes results in spillage and subsequent attraction of ants, wasps, and other unwanted insects. The Oasis is still, however, generally considered a favorite amongst the Perky-Pet selection, though still inferior to even the cheapest of HummZinger’s robust models.
Stylish Options
For those most concerned with a stylish, eye-pleasing feeder in one’s garden or backyard, the Birdscapes Deluxe Rose Petal Hummingbird Feeder is most likely to satisfy this requirement. Its sleek, tubular shape and plump red base make for not only the most decorative feeder to adorn one’s flower patch but also a highly effective feeder sure to attract hungry hummers. Though it isn’t completely insect repellant, it is equipped with a built-in ant moat that keeps at least those pesky creatures from sneaking through the castle walls. The Birdscapes Deluxe Rose Petal Hummingbird Feeder is also a frugal choice, compared to HummZinger’s heftier offerings.
