What SIZE Hummingbird feeder is best
Size of a hummingbird feeder isn't the most important feature, but you can buy a small, medium to large size hummingbird feeder, based on nectar capacity.
What size Hummingbird feeder is best would have a 8 to 12 ounce capacity, as its easier to clean yet requires less maintenance. Upgrade to a 16 plus ounce feeder later with extra perches - whereby its better to invest in two or three smaller capacity feeders in an effort to attract hummers to all areas of the yard.
I can't really tell you to not buy a large capacity nectar hummingbird feeder, when it can at least prevent in-fighting between hummingbirds in your yard.
Prioritize more port wells with corresponding perches in that case, whereas a too large hummingbird feeder can result in a lot of hassle. Larger means more parts to clean and maintain, yet a smaller feeder can do all that and more.
Be sure to choose a hummingbird feeder based on how many hummers converge on your feeder at one time - then you can be sure every hummer has a place at the table.
Never go for a larger size feeder to be on the safe side, as you'd need to fill it to the top every time to prevent leaking, in an effort to secure a liquid vacuum.
What I ask you to do then is buy what would be a small to medium size capacity hummingbird feeder - while prioritizing additional port wells required to manage your feeding hummingbirds properly.
If you do insist on upgrading to a large size hummingbird feeder, can I suggest you split the difference by investing in two, or perhaps three hummingbird feeders.
Reason for that is additional hummingbird feeders strategically hung or placed in your yard can be done so in an effort to attract hummers passing overhead - one feeder can be missed but several red hummingbird feeders are bound to be spotted.
Small 8 to 12 oz. capacity is best
Obviously the larger the hummingbird feeder the more port wells with corresponding perches there will be.
Why that matters is, if you know all these extra port wells will be taken advantage of by visiting hummingbirds in your yard - and therefore arriving at your feeder - then the best size hummingbird feeder will have 32 to 40 ounce capacity.
What are the top rated hummingbird feeders of mine vary between 4 to 40 ounces, yet you must buy according to the numbers of hummers in their yard.
What size hummingbird feeder is best for you without knowing your personal circumstances, will always be an 8 to 12 ounce feeder.
Whether you have only a few visiting hummers now, many more are sure to show up as the season progresses - and you know what, this small size hummingbird feeder may still be all you need.
Its not just about size of the nectar reservoir because a small size feeder like this can still make way for 4 to 8 port wells.
Hummingbirds can all converge on a feeder but as some hover and others perch, there's certainly a possibility hummers can wait until there turn. However, it never hurts to be better prepared when you know you'll receive dozens of hummers at any one time.
Upgrade to 16 oz. plus if busy garden
If your in possession of a smaller size hummingbird feeder that ranges anywhere between an 8 to 12 ounce capacity, then stick with it if there's no issues with hummers out in the yard.
With that being said, if you feel it gets a little bit packed in and around the hummingbird feeder hung up on the pole - then its time to think about upgrading.
Bear in mind you can continue to use your original hummingbird feeder, while this new addition can be hung up near to it or placed on the other side of the yard; which is important if you have a bully hummer or hummingbirds who insist on fighting.
You can think about using two or three hummingbird feeders rather than putting all eggs into one basket, so to speak.
Certainly upgrade to a larger capacity feeder at 16 ounces if you like, but its unlikely you'd need to go up a few more ounces, but its an option.
But again, why not invest in two hummingbird feeders at 8 ounces each, then you'd reach your 16 ounces which are spread over to feeders. Benefit to that is you can now space out two hummingbird feeders in an effort to grab hummers attention.
Never put a hummingbird feeder next to other bird feeders but they can be hung near together - but its better to separate two hummingbird feeders so they're at least seen by passing hummers - all while preventing too many hummers converging on one feeder.
Nectar use likely to be low
What I believe to be the best kind of hummingbird feeder will always be that of an 8 to 12 ounce capacity reservoir.
All that can lead to a really nice hummingbird feeder still, in both plastic or glass - yet 4 to 8 port wells will be made available.
Some of us will be lucky to experience a popular hummingbird feeder - if you already receive hummers in your yard - thus a less frequented yard which applies to more of us, myself included, will see far less nectar-filled feeders used up.
Nectar will be sipped at for sure but not as much nectar will be used if only receiving a handful of hummingbirds a day.
What will happen is you'll always replenish nectar long before its used up, thus nectar can spoil so will need to be frequently changed.
To be on the safe side, do begin with a small size hummingbird feeder as the best choice you can make, as a too large size feeder will only see nectar go to waste.
You must fill the hummingbird feeder to the top to secure the vacuum to prevent it leaking... well then, nectar will always be unused in a too big feeder so leaking is a possibility.
Giant size Hummingbird feeders go to waste
Giant size hummingbird feeders aren't without their uses that's for sure, whilst they must be prioritized for a yard that receive an abundance of hummers on a daily basis.
What kind of large size hummingbird feeder will do - even if all the nectar won't be used up - is that the extra larger feeder will feature extra port wells to cater to several hummers at a time; yet the adjacent perches can allow others to rest if they insist on loitering.
What is one of my top practical hummingbird feeder tips is with more perches made available you can cater to hovering or landing hummers as they feed - whilst there's no harm in anticipating overcrowding.
Unfortunately, a ton of perches will mean a larger size hummingbird feeder, which I believe can be a bit of bother to own and maintain.
That isn't to say you shouldn't buy a large capacity hummingbird feeder, you just need to keep it full to prevent leaking.
What makes a good hummingbird feeder can be any size or capacity, only feeders can be prone to leakages if not properly cleaned and maintained. Larger size hummingbird feeder will therefore have more sections and accessories to maintain.
And if you do go for a larger size hummingbird feeder, I don't believe common counter-measures like ant moats are in place to deter ants or bees - which tend to only be built in to small or medium size hummingbird feeders.
Conclusion
What size hummingbird feeder is best for anyone getting started in attracting hummingbirds to their feeders - is a small to medium size - 8 to 16 ounce capacity glass or plastic reservoir bottle.
Size will be based on the capacity of the glass or plastic bottle reservoir, thus a small hummingbird feeder could still feature more perches plus port wells then what would be on a large capacity feeder... which anyone can believe it should.
What I think is the best size hummingbird feeder then is a safe 8 or 12 ounce capacity hummingbird feeder.
No need to make up too much hummingbird nectar whilst the sections that pull apart to clean and maintain are few and far between.
Not so with a large capacity hummingbird feeder as its bound to be disassembled with more parts, can have too many port wells - yet does everything a smaller perch does but must be filled to the top to avoid leaking.
By all means utilize a large capacity hummingbird feeder if to prevent bullies or in-fighting between hummingbirds at feeders.
I believe to divide a 16 ounce capacity feeder into two 8 ounce hummingbird feeders will be the way to do. You still need to attract hummingbirds to the feeder, thus additional feeders can result in at least one being spotted.
Share this article:
