Hummingbird Feeders
Here are a few things that you should look for in a
hummingbird feeder:
Color - Hummingbirds are attracted to the
color red. That should not be interpreted to mean that you
should only have red feeders, in fact just a splash of red
can be just as effective, but some red somewhere on the
feeder can help attract hummingbirds.
Pest protection - With it's sweet
hummingbird nectar, a
hummingbird feeder becomes quite attractive to some
pest, specifically ants and bees. Ant moats may be built
into the feeders or you may be able to add one to solve
the ant problems you see. Another solution is to cover
the hanger with a barrier like the sticky guard made to
apply to trees, or even something as simple as Vaseline
(this will need to be checked more often to keep it
fresh.)
Bees and wasps are attracted to yellow, so try to avoid
yellow parts in your feeder. The shape of the feeder can also
reduce the likelihood of attracting bees, check the product
info to see if that is a feature.
Perches - These birds like to rest and feed,
so accommodate them with a perch.
Feeder size - A smaller feeder is often
adequate, and it's usually better to have multiple feeders if
you have a lot of birds. You don't end up with a single
dominant bird that way.
Cleaning - These feeders should be cleaned
often, in warm weather up to 2 times a week. With that in
mind, look for a feeder that that is easy to clean, with no
little hiding spots to develop mold, and the assembly is easy
enough to allow you to reassemble it without spilling the
nectar.
Mounting - Out of the sun is better, as it
will reduce the tendency to grow mold. You may also want to
consider the local wind conditions, even to the point of
choosing a feeder that has reduced wind resistance.