The best bird feeder and seed for hummingbirds
Feed on the wing or from tiny perches. Saucer feeders are easiest to clean and least prone to leaking. Mix 1 part white sugar to 4 parts water. No red dye, no honey, no brown sugar.
Which feeder types do hummingbirds use?
| Feeder | Holds | Squirrels | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hummingbird feeder | Nectar | None | Saucer feeders with no yellow parts attract fewer bees. An ant moat above the feeder stops ants. |
Feeders hummingbirds use, budget to premium
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What seed do hummingbirds like best?
| Food | Why | Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Nectar (sugar water) | Plain white table sugar and water at 1:4. No red dye, honey, brown sugar or sweeteners. Change it on the temperature schedule. | Fridge for up to a week |
Food to buy for hummingbirds
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Where and when should you feed hummingbirds?
- Height and spot: 4 to 6 feet, in partial shade so nectar spoils more slowly.
- When: Spring through early autumn in most of the US; year round on the Pacific coast and in parts of the Southwest.
- Range: Ruby-throated in the East; Anna's, black-chinned, rufous, broad-tailed and others in the West.
- Feeding style: Feeds at hanging feeders; a pole with a baffle keeps squirrels off without bothering them.
The same setup also brings orioles, which use the same feeder types.
Nesting: A walnut-sized cup of plant down and spider silk saddled on a thin branch. Do hummingbirds use birdhouses?
Feeders for other birds
Cardinals · Blue Jays · Goldfinches · House Finches · Chickadees · Titmice · Nuthatches · Woodpeckers · Bluebirds · Wrens · Orioles · Mourning Doves · Juncos · Native Sparrows · Towhees · Grosbeaks · Robins · Mockingbirds · Pine Siskins · Purple Finches · Redpolls · Keeping starlings and grackles away · Red-bellied Woodpeckers · Downy Woodpeckers · Cedar Waxwings · Quail
Get the hummingbirds feeding checklist
Feeder, seed, height and cleaning schedule for hummingbirds on one printable page.
Used only to send the checklist.Frequently asked questions
What is the best bird feeder for hummingbirds?
A hummingbird feeder is the most reliable choice for hummingbirds. Feed on the wing or from tiny perches. Saucer feeders are easiest to clean and least prone to leaking. Pair it with nectar (sugar water), place it 4 to 6 feet, in partial shade so nectar spoils more slowly, and keep it clean every two weeks. A second feeder type such as a hummingbird feeder widens the appeal without adding much work.
What do hummingbirds eat at feeders?
In order of preference: nectar (sugar water). Plain white table sugar and water at 1:4. No red dye, honey, brown sugar or sweeteners. Change it on the temperature schedule. Offer one food per feeder rather than a mix, so birds are not flicking unwanted grains onto the ground to get at the one they want.
Where should I put a feeder for hummingbirds?
4 to 6 feet, in partial shade so nectar spoils more slowly. Keep it within 3 feet of a window or beyond 30 feet to avoid collisions, at least 10 feet from anything a squirrel can jump from, and 10 to 12 feet from dense shrubs so hummingbirds can reach cover without cats being able to ambush them.
When do hummingbirds come to feeders?
Spring through early autumn in most of the US; year round on the Pacific coast and in parts of the Southwest. Range: Ruby-throated in the East; Anna's, black-chinned, rufous, broad-tailed and others in the West. Keep feeders stocked and clean through the season hummingbirds are present in your area, since a feeder that is empty for several days is often abandoned for a neighbour's.
Do hummingbirds use birdhouses?
No. A walnut-sized cup of plant down and spider silk saddled on a thin branch. Hummingbird "houses" sold online are not used by wild hummingbirds. Provide nectar flowers, a clean feeder and leave spider webs alone.