The materials used for this type of product are important because it will be out in the elements all the time. The feeder needs to be able to withstand rain, heat, wind and even snow so the materials used need to be strong and durable. This will be more than likely batted around by animals as well so it needs to be able to take that too. The majority of these products are made of either plastic or glass, and the hanging mechanism is usually made of metal. The plastic should be thicker and preferably colored rather than with a film over top. The glass should also be thicker but keep in mind the thicker the glass the heavier the product and therefore the glass variation may not be best for hanging in trees. The metal should be coated to avoid rust damage over time.

These products can’t just be refilled and left alone, they do require washing. The liquid inside is essentially liquid sugar and will get gunky or may even encourage some mold within the container so the product should be taken down from time to time to be cleaned (this is described in more detail below in the frequently asked questions section). The materials need to be durable but the product also will require maintenance in order to add longevity to the product.

The area that the feeder is going to be left may dictate the type needed. Because these are meant to be left outside all the time the condition of the environment it is left out in is important. The hummingbird does migrate so the feeder does not need to be left outdoors in winter conditions. They will return in the spring when things warm up a little which is easier on the product as well. The product should not be left out in the winter due to the liquid in the product freezing. Sugar water will freeze and expand and therefore possibly wreck your feeder. It may also affect the function of the feeding ports if the frozen liquid is left within the small spaces. Regardless of leaving it outside in the winter or not, there are other environmental factors that may affect it even in the summer.

High humidity, rainstorms, as well as wind and dust storms can affect your product. It is important that if the area you are in is really hot, that it is left in the shade and perhaps a glass version is purchased with fewer metal elements. If you live in an area with more wind and dust you may want to consider a plastic version as this type of material, if banging against a wall or dropped from a high area, will be more resilient than glass would be. Additionally, the moats will require less wind due to them being open. An internal moat may be required in areas of high winds to keep the addition functioning correctly. High wind and high humidity may also affect any plastic coating on the product that is used for color. This is more common on the glass versions than the plastic though.

This product is quite inexpensive in price, most of the options on the market don’t go over $50.00. It will ultimately dictate the quality of the product you are purchasing due to the low margin. Because they really are quite inexpensive consider buying something on the higher end of the price range. The benefit of buying a better quality item is more than just the longevity of the product. It will also determine the overall frustration with it. Because the primary purpose of these items is to hold a liquid that the birds can drink, the liquid just needs to sit until needed.

However, if you are purchasing something cheap you will see far more leaking and drips than you would on something made with better materials and better seals. There are many complaints that the product purchased initially did not leak but did so over time or connecting the container with the base became harder over time and therefore started leaking later on. Having a leak will lead to bigger problems like ants. Because you don’t often see this type of product with technology added onto it, it’s important you are buying something that is good quality, will not break down over time and is easy to clean. This is dictated in the price for this type of product.

These products come in different sizes and can hold different amounts of liquids. The amount of liquid needed should be taken into consideration when purchasing. If you are in more of a wooded area and there are more birds around consider something larger. This way you will maximize the number of birds coming to your window. If you are living in a more urban environment get something smaller. The reason you don’t want to just opt for something bigger regardless of your environment is that the liquid can’t stay in the canister long before it needs to be replaced. The sugars will change the texture and granulate over time. This will cause the birds to have issues getting the liquid out of it. It will also gunk up your feeder and potentially wreck it.

Additionally, not replacing and cleaning the unit will cause some mold to form inside of the canister which is both hard on the product as well as dangerous for the birds. For this reason, you want to make sure that the product you are using is ideal for the environment. As soon as the product is out of liquid it should be cleaned with soap and water to ensure that it is running optimally. Without doing this there can be hard side effects and ultimately diminish the purpose of the purchase.

Some people may not consider this a major factor since the preferred style depends on an individuals taste. However, the style of the feeder will not only impact the area you place it in, but it can also be the deciding factor on whether hummingbirds are attracted to it or not. Although it is difficult to assume what a bird is attracted to, you can read reviews and find out what other customer said about the product. Did it attract birds or not? The style of the product will not only determine how attracted the birds are to it, but it can do wonders for your yard or porch as well. It is a great decorative piece that shows off your own personal style while blending in with nature's beauty!