A nectar feeder is all it takes to bring hummingbirds to your yard. Just fill your hummingbird feeder with home-made sugar-water solution and hang it so that it is somewhat shaded from the sun and protected from the wind. Direct sun may cause the solution to spoil sooner and wind may cause the solution to spill out.

If you have not spotted hummingbirds in your yard prior to putting out a feeder, it might be a good idea to place your first feeder near some brightly colored flowers. This would be a likely spot for hummingbirds to visit. Once you have birds visiting your feeder you can move it to another area if you wish.

Hummingbirds may also prefer to perch on nearby branches or other objects. Often these are used as observation posts from which to launch an attack on any unsuspecting intruder at the feeder. Which also brings up the question of how many feeders to set out. In my case, the Ruby-throated hummer is very agressive and territorial so I set out two feeders, one in my back yard and one in my front yard and they still quarrel and dive bomb each other. I find having two separated feeders gives them more chances to get their turn at the feeder.

There is a large variety of hummingbird feeders on the market. Your choice should be dictated by how easy is it to clean and fill. Those are the two important considerations to having healthy birds and assuring that you will continue to maintain the feeders properly.

After making sure that the feeder can be easily cleaned and filled, you will then be able to decide which feeder fits in with the location you have chosen and whether to go with glass or plastic. Usually the glass feeders are easier to clean and more durable, barring the accidental breakage.

You will have fun looking at the many styles of hummingbird feeders available. Some are very elaborate and some are simply practical. It probably doesn't matter to the little hummer as long as the food is fresh and easy to obtain. If you have made sure it fits the criteria of easily cleaned and filled, you can pick the prettiest, funniest, or craziest of them all. I have tried many types and actually have two different styles in my yard at the moment. I see no difference in the number of visitors to either feeder.

Be careful of the hummingbird feeder that is an inverted bottle with a rubber stopper and glass tube coming out of the bottom. I have had a lot of trouble with leaking with this type of feeder. Especially in the warm Florida weather that I have. It is vacuum fed and when the fluid warms it tends to expand and drip. I have read that this has been addressed by manufacturers but, be sure that it is stated that it is a no-drip feeder.

I have noticed another addition to the newer hummingbird feeders is an ant guard. I've not had experience with this yet but it certainly sounds like a very good idea. Ants can be a real problem and are difficult to discourage from the feeders. Especially if you have a leaky feeder. Please do not use pesticidal sprays of any kind as they could be detrimental to the hummer. I've also read that using petroleum jelly on hangers or around openings could get on the hummer's wings and cause a problem with preening. That makes the ant guard even more appealing.

Another choice involves whether to have a perch or not. Some hummers will not perch even when one is available. Others will sit at the feeder for extended periods of time. I personally prefer to offer a perch. Since this little bird expends an enormous amount of energy hovering, it seems an easy way to help it save a bit while eating.

Lastly, you should consider size. Since you will need to change the solution often to avoid spoilage, it is probably better to start with a small container (usually 8 to 12 ounces), especially at first. Wait until you see how many visitors you will be having and then you can determine whether you need the larger size feeder. Also, it is more fun if your hummingbird feeder has more than one feeding opening. Occasionly, even with my more aggressive Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, I am blessed with seeing two feeding at the same time. Of course, they are on opposite sides of the feeder from each other. I would really be shocked if I saw any side by side!