How to Make Easy Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbirds are delightful birds that will happily feed from your feeders all summer as long as you keep them clean and filled with nectar. Although one feeder provides more than enough food for several hummingbirds, these territorial creatures often fight to lay claim to the feeder. Providing several feeders attracts more birds and allows them to feed without ensuing battles. Luckily, hummingbirds are not fussy eaters and will drink out of just about any container as long as it is filled with nectar.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small recycled jars
• Wire
• Red ribbon, beads or flowers
• 1/4 cup sugar

1. Look for small wide mouthed jars around the home. Tiny vases, test tubes or even discarded insulin jars make ideal feeders. Look for condiment jars from olives or other slender containers.

2. Wash the jars in hot soapy water to remove any traces of the original contents. Rinse well with hot water and allow to air dry.

3. Attach copper wire to the rim of the bottle or vase by wrapping around the top and twisting it together tightly, leaving a 6- to 8-inch length of wire for hanging. You can use any wire, but copper wire gives a decorative look. Wreath wire will work well.

4. Add a bit of red ribbon or string a few red beads on the wire. Hummingbirds will be attracted to the red and stop to check it out. Add red silk flowers if desired.

5. Make nectar with one part sugar to four parts boiling water. Stir to dissolve the sugar crystals and allow to cool.

6. Fill the feeder with nectar and hang in a shady location. Small feeders heat quickly in the summer sun and should not be placed in direct sunlight.

7. Clean and fill the feeders daily.

[jantogo]

on 6/26/2009 I, too, must question the validity of your instructions on how to make easy hummingbird feeders. From what I understand you advocate hanging open containers filled with sugar water to feed these delicate, intricate, amazing birds. That is far too dangerous! Please, either re-tool your instructions, or remove them completely. These beautiful birds, so very agile, yet so fragile, deserve only the very best from those of us who nurture them, and supplement their diet. The intricate antics of these beautiful marvels of nature are indeed rare gift to behold.

[PJWilliams]

on 6/5/2009 So how do the hummingbirds get the nectar out of the jars? I don't see directions for putting a hole in the jar or a feeding tube.