Edit Article

The best hummingbird feeders are easy to disassemble and clean, and have perches for the birds to sit on while drinking nectar. The most commonly available hummingbird feeders have a base and a removable nectar reservoir, but no perches. You can get more enjoyment out of your hummingbird feeder by adding perches. The birds will be much more likely to stay for several minutes, and you'll have better luck seeing and observing them. Heavy coated wire can be used to make an inexpensive but effective perch for the birds to sit on.

Ad

EditSteps

  1. 1
    Prepare the feeder. Remove the base from the reservoir and place the base on your work surface.
    Ad
  2. 1341_WireAroundTop.JPG
    2
    Make the anchor wire. Measure around the point where the reservoir attaches to the feeder plus 1" (2.5cm).
  3. 3
    Secure the anchor wire. Bend the last 1/2" of each end of this wire into a little hook. Bend the wire into a circle and hook the ends together. Bend the wire a little more if necessary to make it round. Fit it over the feeder base. It should be a loose fit.
  4. 1344_WireAroundBottom.JPG
    4
    Make the perch wire. Measure the circumference of a circle about 1" larger than the circumference of the feeder base. Cut a length of the heavy-gauge coated wire equal to this length plus 1".
  5. 1345_WiresTwisted.JPG
    5
    Secure the perch wire. Bend the last 1/2" of each end of this wire into a little hook. Bend the wire into a circle and hook the ends together. Bend the wire a little more if necessary to make it round. Lay it around the feeder base.
  6. 1348_Connectors.JPG
    6
    Make the connector wires. Measure the distance between the two round wires. Cut connector wires equal to this length plus 1". The number of connector wires you'll need is equal to the number of feeder holes in the base.
  7. 7
    Use the connector wires to connect the anchor wire and perch wire. Bend the last 1/2" of each end of each connector wire into a little hook. Hook each onto the anchor wire with the hook facing upward spacing them so that the connectors are between the feeder holes. Put the perch wire into the hooks at the other end of each connector wire. You will likely have to "play" with bending the various wires to get everything to fit together.
  8. 1352_FinishedFeeder.JPG
    8
    Clamp it together. Once you're satisfied with the arrangement, use the pliers to clamp down all the connector wire hooks. The whole thing should look like two wheels connected by spokes. It should be rigid enough that if you pick it up, the various parts don't rearrange themselves.
  9. 9
    Fill the feeder. Fill the feeder with hummingbird food, and hang it where you can see it.
  10. 1353_FeederAndBird.JPG
    10
    Enjoy visits from your new friends!
    Ad

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
horses?
Yes
No
horses
how to get more confident around horses
Can you tell us about
dogs?
Yes
No
dogs
how to kennel train an older dog that barks
Can you tell us about
fashion?
Yes
No
fashion
how to find Spring fashion
Can you tell us about
trapping large animals?
Yes
No
trapping large animals
how to catch or trap a deer
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
...
Tell us everything you know here. Remember, more detail is better.
Tips
Provide Details.
Please be as detailed as possible in your explanation. Don't worry about formatting! We'll take care of it. For example:
Don't say: Eat more fats.
Do say: Add fats with some nutritional value to the foods you already eat. Try olive oil, butter, avocado, and mayonnaise.
Submit

EditVideo



The hummingbirds will use the perches, and stay at the feeder longer, increasing your chances of seeing them.

EditTips

  • If you don't have a tape measure, you can just start bending the wire "freehand" around the feeder base and cutting the wire when you meet up with the end.
  • If the heavy wire is not very flexible, (i.e. it doesn't flop or bend much if you shake it gently) you may not need to bend the ends into hooks. You can just "butt" the ends together bending the wire so that the ends are close together. Hummingbirds are very small and only weigh a few ounces so they aren't going to bend the wire by sitting on it.
  • Remember to clean and refill the feeder every few days. Perches won't entice the birds to come if the food is moldy or the feeder is dirty!
  • Don't worry if it's not perfect or beautiful -- the birds won't care. In fact, they'll likely show their appreciation for your efforts by hanging around more.
  • If your connector wires are too short, you can always bend the perch wire in a little bit where it meets the connectors.
  • Use coated wire as some believe that birds do not like to stand on metal.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Hummingbird feeder with wide base and removable reservoir
  • Heavy-gauge coated wire
  • Thinner wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Pliers
  • Tape measure (optional, but helpful)

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Make Peanut Butter Pine Cones for Birds

How to
Build a Copper Bird Feeder Pole

How to
Attract Birds

How to
Play With a Hummingbird

How to
Feed Hummingbirds

Article Info

Featured Article

Categories: Featured Articles | Birdwatching | Home and Garden

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 51,753 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No

Become
an Author!

Write an Article