I have a few hand blown glass feeders and a few cheapo plastic ones. The birds here prefer the ones with a perch, sit down for a snack. Go on Amazon and buy a few to start out. Also get a brush kit so you can clean the feeders and the tubes. They can get a fungus from dirty feeders and spoiled nectar, it is fatal. If you are in Texas you will need to dump and refill every couple of days as the heat causes the nectar to ferment. Only fill a bit each time. Do not use store bought colored nectar. I bought a few swing top bottles and then I make a big batch of nectar and store in the fridge.

Hello friends,

Thank you for your replies, I appreciate it.

Can anyone please recommend a nectar feeder on Amazon, I will really be grateful.

I am also open to other types of feeders if you have suggestions.

Any other bird food suggestions for my non nectar feeder(s)?

Thank you so much,

oxonian

I can't get the Amazon links to work but I'll show you some pics. Also, you can get the simple ones at Home Depot or lowes if you want to go look in person. I like to look and make sure they'll be easy to clean and fill.

Also, don't put seed feeders too close to nectar feeders, hummingbirds are territorial and will spend full time running other birds off. I put hummingbird feeders in my front yard, which gives me an excuse for pretty feeders. I put the seed feeders in the back.

Here's one cheap one I have. Has perches, wide mouth so easy to clean and fill. I never fill more than halfway or so.

I have a few glass ones, my kids know these are great Mother's Day gifts.

I also have a few that I've hung with little roof things. They really do like the shelter. This is the one I have right by my kitchen window. By far the most popular feeder in my garden.

I like the hummzinger feeders, available at Amazon. They are easy to clean, have a perch and an ant trap. Not cheap if you have to buy a number of them at once, tho.

I would provide water nearby because the sparrows drink the ant cups dry and then the ants get into the feeder.

Also, as Annette said above, once the weather gets hot you have to change the solution every few days, even every day when it's really hot. The need for this makes me keep the feeders close to the house. The humzinger provides a handy chart that tells you how often to change the solution depending on the temperature.

Since you have acreage, you should consider planting hummingbird friendly plants. There are many beautiful salvias (sages) that hummers love that are hardy and even native to TX and are also xeric. Check out High Country Gardens for hummer friendly xeric plants. If you can plant a tall climber for them you can give them shelter and food at the same time.

Thank you everyone. Are any of you in the Houston area?

I got a feeder, now I need to set it up.

Can I use Sugar in the raw/Raw Sugar Natural Cane Turbinado to create the nectar?

Or do I need to use refined sugar?

Thank you!

Oxonian

I've always read that plain white cane sugar is the best. 4 cups boiled water then dissolve one cup sugar into it. Allow to cool before putting in feeders.

Oxonian, several of the bird sites will suggest never using Turbinado in hummingbird feeders. It has about 5 times the amount of iron in it as white sugar and they are not used to the added mineral content, may harm them.

Just keep it simple. Plain white sugar, ratio of one part sugar to 4 parts water. If you have made too much, you can keep it, refrigerated, but use within two weeks time.