Hummingbird Feeder – An Update
A few of the readers asked me about the difference between a plastic and a glass hummingbird feeder. In the last couple of years, we had to replace our feeders due to wear and tear. The replacement feeders always turned out to be made of plastic.
As I did not know whether there is a difference, I did some research and was quite overwhelmed by what the experts thought. They stated that the glass feeder is easier to keep clean, but if it falls, it usually breaks. The plastic feeders can last for years, but can be difficult to keep clean.
Let us look at the beginning. Laurence J. Webster of Boston designed the first hummingbird feeder in 1928. When National Geographic ran an article about the newly invented feeder showing photos of hummingbirds at the feeder, it sparked an interest in hummingbird feeders. Since then hummingbird feeders are sold everywhere and people enjoy watching these tiny birds.
The “experts” have different opinions about what the perfect feeder is and whether they should have perches or not. People also feel it is important where to hang them.
As I did not know whether there is a difference, I did some research and was quite overwhelmed by what the experts thought. They stated that the glass feeder is easier to keep clean, but if it falls, it usually breaks. The plastic feeders can last for years, but can be difficult to keep clean.
Let us look at the beginning. Laurence J. Webster of Boston designed the first hummingbird feeder in 1928. When National Geographic ran an article about the newly invented feeder showing photos of hummingbirds at the feeder, it sparked an interest in hummingbird feeders. Since then hummingbird feeders are sold everywhere and people enjoy watching these tiny birds.
The “experts” have different opinions about what the perfect feeder is and whether they should have perches or not. People also feel it is important where to hang them.
Going back to the questions of my readers, I went out, bought a glass feeder, and filled it with the same “sugar water” which I had put in the plastic feeder. Our plastic feeder has perches, the glass one does not. The plastic feeder hangs in front of a sunny window (so I can watch them), the glass one without perches hangs around the corner in the shade, but I can see it too. I clean and refill my feeders every week.
What did I observe over a couple of weeks? First, I was amazed how quickly the hummers found the new feeder, although they did not prefer it to the old one. I noticed that some individuals seem to prefer to hover and others to sit on the perches when they drink. Before they do so, they often sit on nearby branches and scan the area before drinking. Both feeders offer different sitting possibilities, which are used.
What did I observe over a couple of weeks? First, I was amazed how quickly the hummers found the new feeder, although they did not prefer it to the old one. I noticed that some individuals seem to prefer to hover and others to sit on the perches when they drink. Before they do so, they often sit on nearby branches and scan the area before drinking. Both feeders offer different sitting possibilities, which are used.
Is there a difference? I did not find one. One has gaudy bright colors, is plastic and has perches. The other is dark metal over glass without perches. They both seem equally popular. There is one thing I noticed however: We all know how feisty these tiny birds are. When two females approach the feeder, usually the dominant female tries to chase the other away. Having two feeders, the dynamic was amazing. The hummer that was chased away went straight to the new feeder and the fighting stopped. So we did not notice any difference between glass or plastic, but having two feeders spaced well apart, seemed to reduce conflict and aggression.
Before we put up a camera, we did not know that yellow jacket bees and hummingbirds fight over the feeder.
Before we put up a camera, we did not know that yellow jacket bees and hummingbirds fight over the feeder.
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