Quick Answers
There are a few easy ways to feed hummingbirds without using a traditional feeder. Here are some quick answers:
- Use a bowl or cup – Fill a small bowl or cup with nectar and place it where hummingbirds can access it.
- Hang a bottle – Recycle an old plastic bottle, poke holes near the bottom, and hang it with nectar inside.
- Use a plate or saucer – Put nectar in a colorful plate or saucer and set it out for the hummingbirds.
- Try a makeshift feeder – Make a feeder from a cup and some wire, or turn a mesh bag or sock into a feeder.
- Plant flowers – Grow flowers that attract hummingbirds like fuchsias, petunias, bee balm, and trumpet vines.
- Offer fruit – Slice up fresh oranges, bananas, grapes, or melon to feed the birds.
The most important thing is to offer fresh nectar or sugar water regularly, provide a landing area, and place the feeding area in an open spot. With some creativity, you can definitely feed hummingbirds without a traditional feeder. Keep reading for more detailed instructions on the different methods.
Use a Small Bowl or Cup
One of the easiest methods is to use a small bowl, saucer, or cup. This creates an open area for hummingbirds to access the nectar.
Instructions
- Choose a small bowl, saucer, or cup. Look for ones 3-4 inches wide and 1-2 inches deep. Ceramic and glass work well.
- Fill it about halfway with fresh nectar. You can make nectar by mixing 1 part white sugar with 4 parts hot water. Do not use honey, artificial sweeteners, or red dye.
- Place the bowl in a location where hummingbirds frequently fly. Ideal spots are near gardens, flowering plants, or feeders they already use.
- Position it on a flat surface, post, or hang it from a tree branch or hook. Make sure it is stable and won’t tip over.
- Place a small stick or rocks in the bowl so the hummingbirds have a place to perch while drinking.
- Change the nectar every 2-3 days, or whenever it looks cloudy. Wash the bowl thoroughly.
- Consider moving the bowl around your yard to different spots to give hummingbirds variety.
A bowl or cup feeder requires more frequent nectar changes than a traditional feeder. But it’s extremely easy to set up and gives hummingbirds open access.
Tips
- Add a couple drops of red food coloring to the nectar. This helps attract the birds.
- Start with a darker nectar mix of 1:3 ratio if bees are also attracted to the bowl.
- Use a bowl with textured edges for better perching.
- Hang it in a shady area to slow fermentation during warm weather.
- Consider putting out multiple bowls to accommodate more birds.
Hang a Recycled Bottle Feeder
If you have an empty plastic bottle, you can transform it into a hummingbird feeder. This method lets you hang a feeder without purchasing one.
Instructions
- Wash and rinse out a plastic bottle, like a soda or water bottle. Remove any labels.
- Use a drill, nail, or hot skewer to poke several small holes near the bottom of the bottle.
- Mix up fresh nectar and fill the bottle most of the way.
- Attach string or twine around the neck of the bottle to create a hanger.
- Hang the bottle from a tree branch, hook, pole, or other spot where hummingbirds can reach it.
- Consider making a few bottles so you can hang them around your yard.
- When the nectar empties, remove the bottle, rinse, refill, and rehang.
The advantage of a recycled bottle feeder is that it has a protective cover to keep out pests. It’s also inexpensive and easy to remake as needed.
Tips
- The more holes, the faster the nectar will empty, so adjust as needed.
- Poke holes on multiple sides so birds can feed from all directions.
- Use hot glue to seal the bottle top so nectar doesn’t drip out.
- Add red food coloring to attract more hummingbirds.
- Hang in a shaded area out of direct sunlight to keep the nectar fresher.
Use a Plate or Saucer
Similar to a bowl feeder, you can also use a plate, saucer, or shallow dish. Make sure it has edges to contain the liquid.
Instructions
- Select a small plate or saucer. Plastic, ceramic, or glass will all work.
- Fill it about halfway with fresh nectar. Remember a 1:4 ratio of sugar to water.
- Position the saucer in a visible spot for hummingbirds. Near trees or gardens is ideal.
- You can place it on a post, hang it from a hook, or set it on a fence or deck railing.
- Insert a small stick into the center for perching or rest rocks along the edges.
- Change the nectar every 2-3 days or when it looks cloudy. Rinse the saucer well.
Saucers and plates need more frequent cleaning than bottles or traditional feeders. But they offer easy, open access for hummingbirds to sip nectar.
Tips
- Choose a saucer or plate with a bright color to attract the birds.
- Add a few drops of red food coloring to the nectar.
- Start with a 1:3 ratio nectar mix if bees are drawn to the saucer.
- Move the saucer around to different locations periodically.
- Hang in an area protected from direct sun to keep nectar fresh.
Make a DIY Feeder
You can also construct a simple hummingbird feeder at home with basic materials. Here are a couple approaches:
Cup and Wire Hanger
- Poke 2-4 small holes near the bottom of a plastic or paper cup.
- Fill the cup about halfway with nectar.
- Bend a wire coat hanger into a hanging loop and attach it to the cup.
- Hang the cup in a desired spot and refill with fresh nectar as needed.
Mesh Bag or Sock Feeder
- Find a mesh produce bag or cotton sock and fill it with sugar.
- Tie the top loosely closed so the mesh maintains a pocket shape.
- Soak the bag/sock in water to dissolve the sugar and create nectar.
- Hang the soaked mesh bag from a branch or hook for the hummingbirds.
- Resoak periodically to replenish the nectar supply.
DIY feeders may not last as long as commercial ones. But they are extremely cheap, easy to make, and fun projects for getting creative.
Tips for DIY Feeders
- Add red food coloring to attract more hummingbirds.
- Make sure hangers are secure so the feeder doesn’t fall.
- Refresh nectar every 2-3 days, or when cloudy.
- Consider making a few to hang around different parts of your yard.
- For a mesh feeder, start with a 1:3 sugar ratio to reduce dripping.
Plant Native Flowers
In addition to nectar feeders, you can also attract hummingbirds by planting flowers. Some varieties they love include:
Popular Hummingbird Flowers
Flower | Colors | Bloom Time |
---|---|---|
Petunia | Reds, pinks, purples | Spring to frost |
Bee balm | Reds | Mid summer |
Fuchsia | Pinks, purples | Summer to fall |
Trumpet vine | Reds, oranges | Summer to fall |
Nasturtium | Reds, oranges, yellows | Summer to frost |
Focus on red tubular flowers or other clusters that give the birds access to nectar. Plant them in beds, pots, or hanging baskets.
Tips for Flower Gardens
- Choose native species adapted to your growing zone.
- Mix annuals like petunias with perennials for recurring blooms.
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooming.
- Use clusters and drifts of the same plants rather than singles.
- Add a water feature like a fountain or mister to attract more birds.
Flower gardens give hummingbirds a natural feeding source in your yard all season long. Pair them with feeders to provide complete care.
Offer Fruit
In addition to nectar, hummingbirds also get nutrition from small soft fruits and tree sap. You can supplement their diet by offering fruit.
Fruit Feeding Tips
- Cut oranges, grapes, bananas, and melon into halves or quarters.
- Skewer the fruit chunks on sticks or hang them in mesh bags.
- Position near where hummingbirds regularly feed or fly.
- Peel the fruits or clean thoroughly since birds won’t puncture the skin.
- Offer fresh fruit every 2-3 days as it ferments quickly.
- Fruit feeds birds at different times than nectar, so offer it in rotation.
- Try fruit feeders along with flowers and nectar for full nutrition.
Fruit gives hummingbirds an extra feeding option, especially during migration when they need more calories. It provides a nice dietary supplement along with nectar or flowers.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds don’t necessarily need specialized feeders with artificial nectar. There are many creative ways to feed them using household items. Bowls, plates, recycled bottles, and DIY feeders all provide simple, effective solutions. Combining nectar feeders with flower gardens and fruit will satisfy hummingbirds’ nutritional needs and attract them reliably to your yard. With a little ingenuity, you can meet their feeding requirements without purchasing traditional feeders. The birds will happily flock to any nectar source you provide.