Hummingbirds
Choosing and Cleaning Feeders
Bottle Feeder
Pro: Large volume & better cleaning with glass.
Pro: Can leave up to 5-7 days in winter (2 max in summer).
Con: Yellow ports can attract wasps
Dish Feeder
Pro: No wasps if fluid kept low & fits heaters in winter
Con: Fluid concentrates rapidly with heaters & needs to be changed almost daily in winter
How Easy is it to Clean?
Smooth sided feeders are easier to clean, as there are no edges for mold to build up.
For bottle feeders, a wide opening at the top makes it easier to get the brushes into the bottle.
How easy is it to remove the ports?
Some feeders don't have removable ports, but many have flowers, etc. These ports can be difficult to remove or take apart for cleaning. Unfortunately, they are also the easiest places to develop mold.
Tips for Cleaning
1. Use a gentle detergent & or vinegar
2. Avoid strong or abrasive cleaners (including the dishwasher)
3. Use brushes to get into edges & ports
NAVIGATION
ABOUT THE BIRDS
Species
Breeding
Communication
Diet
FEEDING
Feeder Locations
Recipe and Sugar
Concerns
Feeder Cleaning
Weather and Seasonal
CHALLENGES FACED
Urbanization
Breathing
Food
Nesting Habitat
MONITORING and RESEARCH
Monitoring
Research
Population Trends
THE HUMMINGBIRD PROJECT
Project Overview
Project History
Publications
Unless otherwise noted, photos and videos courtesy of Jonathan Moran