| $ Inverted Hummingbird Feeders: $5 - $25 | $ $ Saucer Hummingbird Feeders: $8 - $30 |
Hummingbirds are one of the most popular bird species.
Their size, unique feather colors, and speed have captured people’s attention and interest over the years.
There are over 300 species, mostly living in South America, the United States, and Canada.
It can be difficult to detect these fascinating birds because of their size and speed, which is one of the reasons why some people decide to install hummingbird feeders in their gardens or backyards.
In the next few sections, we’ll discuss some of the most interesting facts about these birds, what they eat and how much you could pay for a hummingbird feeder.
Table of Contents
What Makes Hummingbirds Unique?
Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world, with the bee hummingbird weighing only 1.95 grams.
Hummingbirds’ heart is also impressive: it can beat from 225 times to 1,200 times per minute.
For this reason, they need a continuous supply of food in order to function properly.
When they can’t, they go into torpor, which is a state similar but shorter than hibernation where hummingbirds preserve their energy and body temperature until they can go out looking for food again.
The hummingbirds’ small dimensions combined with their fast speed, allow them to fly backward, upside down, and hover.
Contrary to other bird species, hummingbirds usually don’t nest together or stay in groups.
They are mostly by themselves trying to find food and fighting off other hummingbirds that could prevent them from eating.
What Do Hummingbirds Eat?
Hummingbirds feed on the nectar that is produced by some flowers.
The reason flowers produce this nectar is to attract animals, such as birds, to achieve pollination.
Pollination is the fertilization process that occurs when pollen is transferred from the male anther of the flower to a female stigma.
The nectar that is produced by these flowers is just what hummingbirds need: it contains high levels of sugar that help them to meet their metabolic needs.
Hummingbirds also feed on small insects, such as spiders and flying insects.
Should I Buy a Hummingbird Feeder?
Having a hummingbird feeder in your backyard could be a great way to observe these tiny birds up close and provide a constant supply of food.
There are flowers that you can plant in your garden that are known to attract hummingbirds, such as cardinal flower, columbine, bee balm, and trumpet creeper, among others.
Types of Hummingbird Feeders
There are two types of hummingbird feeders, saucer and inverted feeders.
Saucer Feeder
The saucer feeder is made of a small deep dish where nectar is placed, and it will usually have a cover with small holes that hummingbirds use to access the nectar.
They also come with a metal hanging hook.
Inverted Feeder
Inverted feeders are similar to the most common bird feeders.
It’s a plastic cylinder where nectar is placed and, at the bottom, there is a base with feeding ports.
Both types of hummingbird feeders are easy to install and clean, so it mostly depends on what you prefer.
You should install them where they are visible for hummingbirds yet away from other animals that might want to eat the nectar.
Experts recommend buying hummingbird feeders that have red in them since this color easily attracts hummingbirds.
Yellow must be avoided because it can also attract bees and wasps.
It’s also suggested to buy at least two feeders since hummingbirds can be aggressive and fight between them if there is only one food source in the area.
How Much Does a Hummingbird Feeder Cost?
The price of hummingbird feeders depends on the materials used and the type of feeder you prefer.
These feeders are generally made of plastic, although some can be made of glass.
Inverted hummingbird feeders can cost from $5 to $25.
Saucer hummingbird feeders tend to cost between $8 and $30.
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