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Years ago I never gave hummingbirds a second thought. Now we keep feeders out all year, and watching them zip past the window has become one of the little joys of our everyday life. If you’re thinking about getting your first feeder (or replacing one that’s been a pain to clean), this guide is all about choosing a feeder you’ll actually love using.

Looking for the nectar recipe and how to care for feeders through the cooler months? I covered that over on our bee blog: Feeding Hummingbirds in Fall and Winter.

Saucer vs. bottle feeders

Most feeders fall into two styles, and the right one depends on how much fuss you want.

• Saucer feeders sit flat with the feeding ports on top. They’re the easiest to clean, rarely drip, and usually keep bees and wasps from reaching the nectar. If you only buy one, this is the style I’d start with.
• Bottle feeders hang upside down and hold more nectar. They’re often prettier (hello, vintage-style glass), but narrow bottles are harder to scrub and can drip on hot days.

5 things to check before you buy

• Does it come apart completely? If you can’t get a brush into every corner, skip it.
• Wide opening. A wide mouth makes filling and cleaning so much faster.
• Red on the feeder. Bright red parts draw the birds in, so the nectar itself can stay clear.
• A built-in ant moat, or room to add a separate ant moat above it.
• Small capacity. Bigger isn’t better. A small feeder you refresh often beats a big one that sits.

Our favorite little extras

• A set of tiny cleaning brushes made for feeder ports.
• A window feeder for up-close views from the kitchen table. Kids (and teenagers, secretly) love it.
• A shepherd hook if you don’t have a good branch or porch spot.
• A hummingbird swing, because they do like a place to rest and keep watch.

Where to hang it so you can enjoy it

Hang your feeder where you’ll actually see it: outside a kitchen window, near the porch, or across from your favorite chair. Partial shade keeps the nectar fresher, and a nearby shrub or tree gives them a safe spot to perch between visits. Then grab your coffee and wait. It usually doesn’t take long.

Do hummingbirds visit your yard? Tell me on Instagram.

Keep reading: Easy herbs to grow in pots, and for the full nectar recipe, visit our bee blog.