How To Enjoy Hummingbirds

Get your feeder ready before they arrive

Once you know your timing, the next step is making sure your setup is safe and easy to maintain.

Feeder options

• Easy‑clean starter feeder – A simple, wide‑mouth feeder that comes apart fully makes it much easier to clean every few days. Look for a model that doesn’t leak and has sturdy hanging hardware.
  

• Small feeder for hot weather – If you live where it gets very hot, a smaller feeder you refill often is safer than a huge one that sits for days. It encourages you to change nectar more frequently.

  Aspects HummZinger 4 oz HummBlossom feeder

  

• Window‑mounted feeder – Great for people who want close‑up views from inside. Small, simple feeders on a window can be especially fun near kitchens or home offices.

• 
  

Helpful accessories

• Ant moat – A small cup that sits above your feeder and holds water, creating a barrier ants won’t cross. Very helpful near trees, decks, or railings.

• 
  

• Feeder brush set – A long bottle brush plus tiny brushes for ports make it easy to scrub nectar residue from every corner.

• Shepherd’s hook or hanging pole – Lets you place feeders where hummingbirds feel safe and visible: near, but not buried in, shrubs and trees.
• 
  

Tip: No matter which feeder you choose, the real key is fresh nectar plus regular cleaning. The easier a feeder is to take apart and scrub, the more likely you are to keep it clean.

How often to change nectar (by temperature)

Knowing when to put your feeder up is only half the story. The other half is keeping the nectar fresh enough that it’s safe.

As a general guideline:

• Below ~70°F (21°C):
  Change nectar every 4–5 days.

• 70–85°F (21–29°C):
  Change nectar every 2–3 days.

• Above ~85°F (29°C):
  Change nectar daily, and move feeders into partial shade if possible.

Signs that nectar needs to be changed:

• Cloudy or milky appearance

• Stringy or slimy material inside the feeder

• Black spots or film on feeder parts

• Safe nectar recipe and what to avoid

The safest nectar recipe is extremely simple:

The complete guide to Quick, Easy Hummingbird Food Recipe You Can Make Yourself

• • 4 parts clean water

  • 1 part plain white granulated sugar

Heat the water, stir in the sugar until dissolved, let the solution cool, then fill your feeder. Extra nectar can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in a clean container.

“This sugar shaker nectar mixer lets you measure, mix, and pour hummingbird nectar in one container, so you don’t have to juggle multiple cups and funnels. The simple design is easy to rinse out between batches, which helps keep your nectar fresh and safe.”

Avoid:

• Honey

• Brown sugar

• Artificial sweeteners

• “Raw” sugar that isn’t fully refined

• Any red dye or colored nectar

These ingredients can ferment faster, grow dangerous microbes, or simply don’t provide what hummingbirds need.

Common mistakes (and better options)

Many people have the right intention but run into the same pitfalls. Here are some of the most common mistakes and what to do instead.

• Putting feeders out too late

  • Mistake: Waiting until you see a hummingbird before hanging a feeder.

  • Better: Use your state dates as a guide and put the feeder up a week or two early so it’s ready for the first scouts.

• Taking feeders down as soon as you “stop seeing” birds

  • Mistake: Removing feeders right away when your usual birds seem to have left.

  • Better: Leave feeders up at least two more weeks to help late migrants and young birds.

• Using red dye or pre‑colored nectar

  • Mistake: Thinking colored nectar is necessary to attract hummingbirds.

  • Better: Use clear homemade nectar and let the feeder itself provide the color. Many feeders have red parts and work perfectly without dye.

• Letting nectar sit too long in hot weather

  • Mistake: Filling a large feeder and leaving it for several days in high heat.

  • Better: Use smaller feeders, fill them partially, and change nectar frequently.

Beyond feeders: plants and habitat that keep hummingbirds around

Feeders are wonderful, but they’re only part of the picture. Hummingbirds also need:

• Flower nectar

• Small insects and spiders for protein

• Safe places to perch and nest

You can keep them in your yard much longer if you:

• Plant nectar‑rich flowers that bloom in succession from early spring through fall.

• Include native shrubs and small trees that provide cover, insects, and seasonal interest.

• Avoid pesticides, especially broad‑spectrum insecticides, which remove their natural food.

• “Best native flowers for hummingbirds in the Northeast”

• “Shrubs that support hummingbirds and other wildlife”