Customer Reviews

Aspects 153 Mini Hummzinger Hummingbird Feeder, 8-Ounce

5 star:		(115)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I initially bought a classic "perky pet" feeder, with the glass jar draining down into several feeding "flowers." Despite the bee guards, I often saw yellowjackets hovering around it. They squeezed themselves along the underside of the bee guards to get dribbles that leaked out of the flowers. Also, I learned that bees are drawn to yellow (the color of the plastic flowers). I'm sure ants would have found the dribbles before long, as well - there were even splatters on my deck.

Also, there was no way to be sure the plastic base was really clean when I refilled it. I've heard you can poison hummers with fungus, if the feeders are not cleaned thoroughly every 3-4 days. Fungus just loves sugar water.

I looked at some hummingbird afficionado sites and apparently the hummzinger models are the way to go. The simple construction is very easy to scrub out; no hidden recesses for fungus to grow. There is no yellow on it, so less attractive to bees. I have not seen one yellowjacket since installing this! No drips, and bees can't reach nectar through the openings.

It should be refilled even when it is not empty, both because of fungus growth (I have found fungus after waiting too long), and also because it seems a bit deep for hummers to reach the bottom, unless they are a long-billed variety. (I have Anna's hummers).

I had some trouble getting the lid off for cleaning, untill I realized I could just use the brass hanger to push the base down while pulling the lid upwards.

It's worth the frequent cleaning when I can sit in my living room watching the birds enjoy their nectar. This feeder makes the maintenance as easy as possible.

This feeder is very effective at drawing in hummingbirds, probably because it looks like a big, red flower; and it is easy to clean--which other feeders I have tried are not. It also has an effective ant trap, and it doesn't dribble, so it won't attract yellowjackets. A downside is its small capacity, so it's most appropriate for locations that are not overrun with hummingbirds. (If you put out this feeder in Southern Arizona, you'd be refilling it every hour.)

After going through a series of hummingbird feeders over the last several years, I have put the other models in the basement and have 2 of these HummZingers up. And here in the NE US in late August I am enjoying "hummingbird wars" outside as 4 or 5 RTHU jockey for time at the feeders.

As other reviewers have observed, this model solves the cleaning, bee, and ant problems inherent in most other designs. They work as advertised and the capacity is more than sufficient for my modest troop of hummers. A very good product.

Author of the Peterson Hummingbird field guide, Sheri Williamson, consulted on the creation of this feeder. And it shows! Everything is thought out so that THIS feeder is THE VERY BEST hummingbird feeder available. Bees are attracted to yellow, so NO yellow on this feeder. Design enables hummingbirds (with their long bills) to feed, but no bees and wasps (which is not the case with feeders that look like upside down dish detergent bottles, where the nectar is right there and easily available to bees & wasps). Correct solution is printed inside the lid, so you can't forget: 1 part sugar and 4 parts water -- NO RED DYE. Yes, that's all you need to put into a hummingbird feeder. The feeder has enough red on it. Red dye isn't good for us, so why should it be good for hummingbirds? Small size is perfect, since solution should be as fresh as flower nectar. Feeders should be washed & cleaned out thoroughly at least once a week, or every few days in hot weather. With a small feeder like this, you're not wasting lots of sugar water when you dump it (and contributing to more loss of natural habitat to sugar cane fields). Of course when hummingbirds are thick during migration (late June through early August in the NE), feeders may be empty every day. The trick to attracting & holding hummingbirds is to have more than 1 feeder, and place them so that one bossy, territorial male can not see all the feeders and defend them all, keeping other hungry hummingbirds away. 1 feeder = 1 bossy male Ruby-throated Hummingbird in the NE. 5 feeders (scattered around the yard and in your hummingbird garden) will more likely attract nesting hummingbirds and lots of migrants.

Feeders alone are not the key. Nectar (or the correct solution in hummingbird feeders) helps maintain a hummingbird's high metabolism, but hummingbirds can not live on nectar or a sugar solution alone! They also feed heavily on insects (spiders and other soft-bodied insects, like aphids). So, be sure to also garden for hummingbirds, and avoid the use of insecticides! And let the aphids be. Nature will take care of them. Ladybugs and hummingbirds will enjoy your aphid smorgasborg.

I live in Maryland, so I am not overrun with hummers, but I do get around five at my house. Before this feeder, I would just throw the feeder away at the end of the year, it is so hard to get the mold off, and you're not supposed to use soap. This feeder is VERY easy to clean!! A few swipes with a wet paper towel, and you're ready to go!! Also, it is quite windy where I place this feeder, and on windy days, it hardly even moves. Another plus is that it is not glass, so if I were to drop it, or a squirrel knocked it down, I don't have shattered glass to clean up. I like that I had a choice in the number of ports because I don't get many hummers. It holds up to 8 oz, I usually only put in about 4 oz, so I don't have to have a lot of nectar on hand. If I were to attract more, I could get one with more ports that could hold more nectar. I've had a number of feeders, and this is my favorite by far!!

I love this mini feeder. I read review after review before buying this one and I can see why it has so many fans. I live in a Very industrial area and the big red cap has no problem attracting multiple birds at a time. (Small ones get chased away, so I am considering a second one!) I have had this feeder for 2 months and like the 8 oz size since our patio is small, and frequent replenishment keeps the nectar solution fresh.

The design is solid and well thought-out. The ant moat is very effective although some tiny flying insects do make it in through the ports (they sell some membranes you can attach to prevent this, but it's not that big of a deal for me). I never worry a wind will blow it apart or off its hook. Since the ports are raised, rain doesn't dilute the nectar solution easily. The all-around perch is great (a rare feature on feeders!) and allows you to see birds well while they rest and drink. Also, I am a big neat freak and love how easy it is to clean and refill this feeder.

I recently purchased this Hummzinger to replace one I'd used for 7 years. There wasn't much that needed improvement, but they've thought of everything. It's still easy to clean and fill, but the plastic is sturdier and the bees are unable to enter and drown. I highly recommend this feeder.

I received a fancy glass feeder for a birthday present and although it was beautiful to look at it was next to worthless as far as actually attracting any hummingbirds. I surfed a few bird watching sites and everyone raved about this feeder. It is a winner! The birds love it, it is easy to clean and maintain, in short, I love it and ordered a second one.

I love this feeder, so do my hummers! I have several babies that can actually perch on this Mini HummZinger and still reach the nectar. Feeder is also easy to clean, and doesn't waste nectar. I have 4 feeders up, so I don't need more than an 8 oz. feeder in each area. I have replaced all my feeders with the Mini.

I love this hummer feeder! I have five different kinds of hummingbird feeders, and this is definitely my favorite. First, the entire thing easily comes apart for cleaning, with no difficult to reach corners. Second, you don't need a funnel to fill it, just pour right in. Third, the built in ant-moat really works. Fourth, because I have some aggressive male hummers that don't like to share their feeder, several smaller feeders (like this mini) strategically placed around my yard keep the peace and allow everybody a drink.