Susan's Hummingbird Gardens

Posts Tagged ‘test tube hummingbird feeders’

Test Tube Hummingbird Feeders (courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ lucybug33/3298165379/

Back in 2007 I wrote an intro to a guest article about homemade hummingbird feeders. Rather than using recycled prescription vials, I suggested using test tubes. But, I’m glad I came across the following article because it goes into test tube hummingbird feeders in greater detail.

I know you can’t see it very well, but there is a copper holder with two test tube hummingbird feeders hanging on the right side of the feeder pole.

We might even give it a try around our place this year!

Test Tube Hummingbird Feeders – Glass Or Plastic?

As long as there have been test tube hummingbird feeders, the most commonly asked question is; “Should I use glass or plastic tubes?” Is there a difference in attracting hummingbirds? Does one material last longer than the other and is one easier to clean? Read the rest of this entry »

 Tips For Making Homemade Hummingbird Feeders

Hummingbird Feeder

This is an interesting article for DIY gardeners on how to make homemade hummingbird feeders. There are two points, however, that I disagree with:

1. Unless you can sterilize the old prescription vials, use something else… buy a few test tubes (like the ones used for fancy spices), a handful of corks, and some red tape. Drill a hole, large enough for a hummingbird’s bill, all the way through the cork from top to bottom. Make sure there aren’t any cork “crumbs” in the hole… just blow through it. Apply the red tape to the outside edge of the tube opening. The object is to draw hummingbirds to the business end of the tube. Since most test tubes are flared at the top, wrap the wire just under the flare and hang it right side up. If you ARE able to sterilize old prescription vials, then follow the author’s instructions.
2. Never use honey when making hummingbird nectar water. It’s not a case of honey is more natural than sugar… it’s a case of hummingbird bodies cannot process honey, and prolonged use will kill them.

Other than these two points, I thoroughly enjoyed Kathryn’s article… as I’m sure you will.

Building Your Own Humming Bird Feeder

By: Kathryn Whittaker

We all know that taking a beautiful photo of humming birds is hard to obtain, even when they are inside cages. The only thing that you could do is buy a hummingbird feeder to bring these birds into photographic distance. But these ready-made hummingbird feeders are somewhat expensive. Worry no more, because you can make your very own hummingbird feeder for free. All you need to do is recycle used or old prescription vials for making nectar dispensers. Hummingbirds are known to feed on nectars. Read the rest of this entry »