Are glass Hummingbird feeders better than plastic

While plastic Hummingbird feeders are more readily available and can be cheaper to buy, it certainly can be worth your time paying a little extra for a glass feeder.

In a sense, glass Hummingbird feeders outweigh the benefits of made in plastic Hummingbird feeders, as glass options are closely related to metal feeders. With the glass Hummingbird feeder made with a metal body, its unlikely to fade or worse still, deform like that of plastic, which will lead to leaks developing.

I really do like glass Hummingbird feeders because they just look more pleasing when hung up on the bird feeding station.

Filth developing anywhere on a glass plus metal Hummingbird feeder would be seen and quickly doubt with because its usually noticed early on as its enhanced on glass or metal - yet plastic Hummingbird feeders will fade or stain in such a way, it harder to spot early signs.

Hummingbird feeders made in glass are also made with a metal body, of which this weighty feeder now becomes a more stable platform for Hummers to feed on.

Plastic Hummingbird feeders are prone to swinging in the littlest of wind, thus nectar can spill out of the port wells just because it made in lightweight plastic.

Why Hummingbird feeders are glass is because its made to store liquid, of which the nectar can quickly loose its quality in an inferior plastic Hummingbird feeder. Glass can sustain nectar in a way it can't spoil within the bottle or ruin the feeders interior.

Bonus of made in glass Hummingbird feeders - with glass being the bottle that stores nectar in - is its easier to clean yet any mold can be lifted up far better in glass.

Mold developing in plastic Hummingbird feeder - internally and exterior - does tend to stain the plastic feeder.

Hummingbird feeders in both glass and plastic can get on the messy side for sure, though an unkempt plastic Hummingbird feeder can lead to irreparable damage to the feeders body or reservoir.

When picking my favorite Hummingbird feeder available on the market, you can be sure the number one choice will always be a made in glass Hummingbird feeder. With that, the best type of Hummingbird feeder is made into a saucer shape - which is highly practical and should be considered if you must go with plastic.

Glass aesthetically pleasing

No doubt about it a made in glass Hummingbird feeder certainly is far more pleasing to the eye than that of a plastic Hummingbird feeder.

Whether it be a re-purposed mason jar or highly decorated glass bottle that stores away the nectar in - none of this is built into a plastic Hummingbird feeder.

Glass Hummingbird feeders I think you'd agree are aesthetically sound - designed to compliment the yard - or indeed enhance the bird feeding station pole where the Hummingbird feeder resides on... where its usually suspended on its own.

Aesthetics of a glass Hummingbird feeder will also have a long, clean look and feel to it which isn't possible in the most durable plastic.

You know when a Hummingbird feeder is glass due to the way the sun reflects off it, yet this same clear bottle made in plastic - will absolutely begin to gloss over - due to the way plastic Hummingbird feeders show serious signs of decay.

While made in plastic Hummingbird feeder nectar reservoirs are quite generic across the entire range, glass Hummingbird feeders are made to please.

With a specific pattern made in the glass exterior, you can expect this same glass bottle to be clear; or why not choose between a blue, red, purple or even green in color Hummingbird feeder.

Fading or distortion in plastic

Even the most popular plastic Hummingbird feeders you can buy will let you down in due course, with plastic Hummingbird feeders unable to withstand the sun's UV or the wet weather that hits it regularly.

Under direct sun - or even in the shade as it happens - plastic Hummingbird feeders will begin to show signs of fading.

Unfortunately, this is also apparent in an outdoor plastic shed or guttering, whereas an extended time spent in an harsh outdoor environment will eventually turn new plastic garden objects - into something that appears like its past its best.

Fading of which will turn a red plastic Hummingbird feeder body from red to a lighter red with an hint of white.

Knowing this, I can assure you there's nothing you can really do about preventing plastic Hummingbird feeder fading, due to wear and tear.

With fading plastic Hummingbird feeders also comes distortion.

What this will result in is the plastic bottle or feeder body changes shape, often going unnoticed to the naked eye or cracks can be visibly seen here and there.

It will take longer than visible signs of fading plastic, yet where there's distortion will absolutely result in leaking. Indeed, why your plastic Hummingbird feeder is leaking could be because its changed shape over several months or years of use.

Glass lasts longer

Like I've described, made in plastic Hummingbird feeders do have a short life shelve on them because of fading or distortion of the plastic build.

Not so with a glass Hummingbird feeder as its better than its plastic counterpart, in a way the glass feeder can certainly outlast the often fragile plastic build options.

Why that is because glass absolutely cannot distort in an outdoor environment, nor will the glass nectar bottles fade over if you at least maintain the glass Hummingbird feeder as often as you can - as its still possible the glass could still show signs of a white mist covering over the glass interior.

Unless you drop the glass Hummingbird feeder and it smashes on the ground, expect it to last longer than the plastic equivalent in excess of many years.

Where a glass Hummingbird feeder is made with a metal body - and it will 99% of the time - expect the metal body to also maintain its color and shape.

Sure, metal Hummingbird feeders like copper options can loose its shine in time, thus its vital to keep up with maintenance.

Bonus extra weight in glass

What would be a delightful bonus of investing in a glass Hummingbird feeder, of what will probably be its far cheaper plastic counterpart, is the extra weight the glass - plus the metal body - adds to glass Hummingbird feeders.

Why that matters is because this extra weight added by the glass and metal body can help you stabilize the Hummingbird feeder in windy conditions.

When you take an heavy Hummingbird feeder plus a fully loaded up nectar bottle, all this will lead to less fuss keeping it from swinging in the wind.

With that, its sometimes makes sense to put an Hummingbird feeder on a flat surface, to avoid direct sun when making shade; or indeed when you have no choice but to separate the Hummingbird feeder away from other bird feeders.

Glass Hummingbird feeder sitting on a table or garden wall should stand without risk of it tipping over - unlike that of a plastic Hummingbird feeder - that is sure to topple over in the littlest of wind.

What with a glass Hummingbird feeder feeling fragile to hold, this would at least give you the incentive to go more carefully when handling glass Hummingbird feeders.

Little effect on nectar

Let me just say, whether its a glass or plastic Hummingbird feeder, I can assure you both options are super safe to use for homemade nectar.

Made in plastic Hummingbird feeders are safe due to no risk of plastic bleeding into the water. Absolutely the quality of the water rapidly loses quality in plastic as oppose to a glass nectar bottle that keeps the nectar fresher for longer.

When you think about it, plastic drinking bottles for people can taste odd on the bottle lip in days, yet the glass lip would make no difference.

While Hummingbirds have no taste it is still important to remember Hummingbirds can still sense poor quality nectar - I don't believe Hummers will avoid plastic Hummingbird feeders because of this - but I do think they will commit to glass feeders for longer.

On the issue of nectar overheating in a glass or plastic Hummingbird feeder, rest assured this isn't something to concern yourself over.

Nectar can get a little on the warm side within a plastic or glass reservoir, yet Hummers will make up their own minds if its too hot or not.

Conclusion: Glass is better

Without burying the lead, let me tell you I do believe glass Hummingbird feeders are far better than plastic - for reasons such as practicality and user friendly.

First thing to think about when investing in a glass Hummingbird feeder is that they are always aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Manufacturer's go out of their way to create a beautiful yet highly practically glass Hummingbird feeder; whereas most plastic Hummingbird feeders will be built in such a way, they appear to look similar across the entire range.

While glass Hummingbird feeders are more unique, plastic Hummingbird feeders certainly do feel generic.

Unfortunately, while plastic Hummingbird feeders are cheaper, there's no getting away with their shortened life span spent in an outdoor environment that will sure cheapen the plastic Hummingbird feeder.

Hummingbird feeders made in plastic will not only fade but the plastic will distort in due course - which can lead to your particular plastic Hummingbird feeder leaking - or it will lead to leaks developing.

Glass Hummingbird feeders are usually built with a metal body, of which these materials can withstand an outdoor environment without causing physical change to the feeder.

While a glass Hummingbird feeder will provide additional weight to the total load - where it will keep the feeder more stable - plastic Hummingbird feeders can be too lightweight.

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