What Feeders Attract the Most Hummingbirds?

By Richard Worden

Unlike other birds, you can't hang a regular bird feeder with seeds to attract hummingbirds. Their favorite sugar water needs a special container aptly called a hummingbird feeder. But what feeders attract the most hummingbirds?

The best feeder to attract the most hummingbirds is the More Birds Bird Health+ Ruby Hummingbird Feeder. It has a red top and base to attract the birds and a transparent glass container to monitor the sugar water. It's easy to clean and made of durable materials that don’t rust.

There are many options on the market, and it’s not easy to determine what feeders attract the most hummingbirds with just a glance. I’ll go over what makes a great hummingbird feeder and how to choose one.

What Draws Hummingbirds to a Feeder?

Hummingbirds rely primarily on sight rather than smell. Thus, they often flock to areas full of bright-colored flowers. Feeders take advantage of hummingbirds' attraction to such hues.

Hummingbirds are often drawn to brightly-colored feeders. Thus, most feeders are colored red or other bright colors. Strategic placement of these feeders near flowers further attracts the birds to them.

Hummingbirds are drawn mainly to red and orange flowers, so selecting feeders featuring those shades is best to attract a large crowd of hummingbirds.

It's also recommended to place feeders near their favorite flowers. In this way, they can choose to feed on the flowers or from the feeder.

If the feeder you found isn't red or brightly colored, you can paint a bit of red nail polish outside the container or tie a ribbon. You can also put up brightly-colored garden decorations near it to direct the birds' attention to the feeder.

Once the hummingbirds have noticed your feeder, they will likely remember it, even in the next season.

It is important to note that although hummingbirds are attracted to red and orange colors, you should not dye their sugar water. The dye and coloring chemicals can be harmful to them.

Do Hummingbirds Prefer Metal, Glass, or Plastic Feeders?

Hummingbird feeders can be horizontal or vertical, although most are the latter. They are typically made of metal, glass, or plastic. Ceramic feeders also exist, but the first three are more common.

There is no proof that hummingbirds can distinguish between metal, glass, and plastic feeders. They are mainly attracted to their appearance and how easy it is to feed on the feeder. However, glass is the most recommended because of its durability.

Plastic feeders often come cheap. However, they have poor durability. When exposed to the sun, plastic feeders can melt or deteriorate over time. The material then leeches onto the sugar water, harming the birds. If you use plastic feeders, hang them in a shaded area.

Meanwhile, the main issue with metal feeders is rust. Rust leaches into the birds' food when metal is exposed to the sugar water over time. Even if you opt for galvanized metal, there's also the possibility of leaching zinc rather than rust.

That’s why many people prefer glass feeders. They are easy to clean and are unlikely to rust or degrade under the sun. However, there is no 100% glass feeder. They will always have metal or plastic parts.

Best Hummingbird Feeders

You can visit nearby stores to see if they have available hummingbird feeders. But if you’d rather order online, I’ve listed some of the best hummingbird feeders you can find on Amazon.com. It’s time to know exactly what feeders attract the most hummingbirds!

Best Overall:

More Birds Bird Health Hummingbird feeder

More Birds Bird Health+ Ruby Hummingbird Feeder

This glass hummingbird feeder from More Birds has a bright red top and base. It features four feeding ports and has a capacity of 10 oz (283.49 g). The container for the sugar is glass, but the other parts are plastic, like the base and top.

Although plastic can degrade, I prefer this over glass feeders with metal bases because they can rust—and many of their reviews say it does happen. On the other hand, this feeder has no risk of rusting.

Moreover, I like that this has transparent glass so you can monitor how much sugar water is left. Most "colored glass feeders" have coatings that can peel, which might be a risk for the birds when the peelings mix with the sugar water.

Best for Size:

LUJII Hummingbird Feeder

You'll need something bigger if many hummingbirds are attracted to your place. This LUJII glass feeder is one of the biggest on Amazon.com, with a capacity of 36 oz (1020.58 g) and 5 feeding stations.

It features an ant moat to prevent other critters from diving into the birds' sugar water. It also has an intricate, gorgeous design, so it can serve two purposes: an attractive hummingbird feeder and a beautiful garden ornament.

Beautiful and Solid Colors:

BOLITE 18017-R
Hummingbird Feeder

This BOLITE hummingbird feeder has a red-colored glass container to stand out in your garden and attract many hummingbirds. It can fill up to 20 oz (566.99 g) of sugar water and has five feeding ports protected with bee guards. There are also perches so birds can stand on them while feeding.

There is one significant downside to this feeder. Although reviews state that the red color does attract hummingbirds, there have been many comments that the color fades or peels over time.

Best Plastic Hummingbird Feeder:

SEWANTA
Hummingbird Feeder

Although I've said plastic feeders risk deteriorating under the sun, they have specific pros, like lower prices and no rusting. And if you keep them in a shaded area, they don't degrade much.

If you've decided that plastic hummingbird feeders are the best for you, you'll want to check out this SEWANTA feeder. There are two options: a round 16 oz (453.59 g) feeder and a square 32 oz (907.18 g) feeder. There are ten feeding ports, so many hummingbirds can feed at once.

This well-designed product has a bright red top and base to attract hummingbirds. However, the tank is kept transparent so you can easily monitor how much sugar water is left. It also has a hook already, so you only have to hang it!

Best Horizontal Hummingbird Feeder:

Rxivir Window
Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbird feeders are often designed vertically, like the ones I've recommended above. This one from Rxivir breaks the mold by having the container laid horizontally. With this design, there's more area for feeding ports such that up to 12 hummingbirds can feed side-by-side.

Although there is a metal mount or stand, the container is made of plastic, so you don't have to worry about rusting. It's effortless to install—you can use a sticker or metal mount to attach it to wood, glass windows, or concrete walls.

The feeding ports are red and flower-shaped to be more attractive for hummingbirds. The 16 oz (453.59 g) tube ends are also colored red.

Most Attractive:

WOSIBO
Hummingbird Feeder

This 32 oz (907.18 g) WOSIBO hummingbird feeder's swirling bright colors attract many hummingbirds. However, unlike the BOLITE 18017-R, the colors of this feeder don’t fade or peel. Instead, it is innately part of the hand-blown glass.

Besides the fantastic colors, the feeder also features an ant moat, perches, and flower-shaped feeding ports. There is a downside, though: many reviews state that the metal base rusts over time.

Having a feeder that Hummingbirds like is a start, yet, you need to get them to your yard in the first place! This helpful article of ours on how to attract Hummingbirds to your garden will surely attract them like crazy.

Hummingbirds love a good birdbath, but not just anyone will do! This helpful article of mine offers tips on chosing the right one, as well as reviewing those Hummingbird birdbaths that attract them the most.