Humming birds are tiny creatures averaging 3.5 inches from head to tail. They are the worlds smallest bird, and they are spectacular to witness because of their brilliant colors an their motionless, hovering feeding habits.

The best way to feed hummingbirds is by using a nectar feeder. You must place it high enough on a branch so that squirrels and other predators cannot feed from it. A mixture of sugar and water is the best way to attract humming birds. This blend is as close as you can come to flower nectars. You should not use honey, molasses or any other artificial sweeteners. Though they eat small insects for protein, hummingbirds also rely heavily on flower and prepared nectar for their energy needs. You might be able to successfully attract them to a backyard feeder with a proper combination of timing, consistency, and cleanliness.

It is important to hand your humming bird feeder shortly before spring. If a hummingbird is drawn to the feeder at this time, it will likely return throughout the season, well into fall.

A hummingbird feeder has to be clean; otherwise the bird will not feed. It should be colorful preferably red and orange with red ribbons trailing off the feeder so it can be easily spotted by the humming bird. There are a couple of different types of hummingbird feeders. The dish type has a perch and allows a good view of the way a hummingbird feeds. The gravity fed bottle style feeder has no perch that eliminates the problem of other pests landing on it to feed.

Hummingbird feeders come in many different styles and shapes. Some are beautifully hand blown glass bulbs that enhance the charm of any backyard.