How to Make a Hummingbird Feeder

One way to enjoy watching hummingbirds in your garden is to make a hummingbird feeder. You can make a hummingbird feeder out of many different types of material, and in sizes ranging from the tiniest prescription vial to a two liter soda bottle. Hummingbirds are very attracted to the color red, so whatever type of hummingbird feeder you make, be sure to decorate it with a red color.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clear prescription vial with a fitted cap
• Several feet of thread or thin wire
• Transparent tape
• Ice pick

1. Heat the tip of an ice pick, or other sharp pointed object, and make two holes in the sides of an open prescription vial, one on each side. Make these small holes on the end of the vial where the cap is located, but be careful not to place them where they'll be covered by the cap when you stopper the vial.

2. Wrap the thread, or thin wire, around the prescription vial many times and keep it secure with transparent tape on both ends of the thread or wire.

3. Make hummingbird nectar for your feeder. Mix one cup of water with one quarter cup of sugar in a pan and stir to dissolve the sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil to destroy any bacteria and let it cool.

4. Fill the prescription vial with a hummingbird nectar and replace the cap.

5. Turn the vial upside down as quickly as possible, with the two tiny holes on the bottom of the hummingbird feeder. Allow a small amount of hummingbird nectar to fill the holes. A vacuum will soon be created in the prescription vial, which will stop the liquid a from leaking out.

6. Hang the hummingbird feeder in the garden near flowers that will also attract birds.

Tips & Warnings

• Change the nectar in your hummingbird feeder about twice a week. Make sure to wash the feeder with hot water each time you refill the feeder. Use bleach water if you notice some mildew on your feeder.
• Make a lot of hummingbird feeders and hang them at various heights in your yard.
• Paint the prescription vial using non-toxic red paint to attract the birds.
• For extra strength wrap the prescription vial with more transparent tape.
• Make larger batches of nectar if you have more feeders. Use the same ratio of sugar to water.
• Never put honey in your hummingbird feeder, as it weakens the birds and could cause death.
• Do not hang your hummingbird feeder in direct sunlight, as direct sunlight can cause the nectar to ferment.
• Never wash the feeder with soapy water.

Resources

• Visit this site for more information on birds and bird feeders

[tshved]

on 9/29/2009 Nice instructions. I never thought of making one.

[jschiavoni]

on 7/8/2009 A major Hummer expert Dan True of New Mexico says in hotter climates or during extreme heat hummers will dehydrate faster so it is recommended using 5 parts water to 1 part sugar - this is sufficient as hummers will still feed at flowers for natural nectar.

[scoobydu]

on 3/17/2009 neat idea...I'll give this one a try!

[TGoode]

on 5/16/2008 Very interesting - I never knew it was so simple to make this type feeder!