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84 of 96 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
One of my least favortie hummingbird feeders, March 10, 2006
This review is from: Perky Pet 203CP Pinch Waist Glass Hummingbird Feeder, 8 oz capacity (Lawn & Patio)
The fact that this is one of the most popular hummingbird feeders on the market is mostly due to its wide availability, cheap price, and gaudy styling rather than its quality. I used these feeders for years before discovering better designs, and I came to hate them. The first thing I noticed was that they're hard to clean, with too many small parts and hard-to-reach tubes and crevices. It takes way too long to take the feeder apart, get all the parts clean, and reassemble it.
The next thing that became apparent is that the "bee guards" really don't do a very good job. Honeybees and wasps can't reach the solution through intact guards, but some long-tongued bumblebees can, and tiny bees just crawl right through the guards (and often right into the bottle!). They're also bright yellow, the same color as many bee-pollinated flowers (what was the manufacturer thinking?). The insects really swarm around when the solution oozes out, as it's prone to do on warm days (particularly if you refill the bottle with refrigerated solution).
It didn't take long to discover that this feeder is also not very durable. The plastic parts don't hold up to exposure to sunlight, becoming brittle and loose over time (more quickly in sunny or high-elevation areas, where intense UV light seems to deteriorate the plastic more quickly). The hardened glass bottle is actually the most durable part of this feeder, while the bee guards are the first parts to break down. The size is okay, though if you've only got one or two hummingbirds visiting you won't want to fill the feeder completely.
The best hummingbird feeders cost about twice as much as this model, but they will last at least 10 times as long. The feeders I use most now are the Hummzingers from Aspects and the Droll Yankees LF, both saucer-style feeders. For high-traffic times such as late summer, I switch to the Nature's Best bottle feeder. I never use anything in my feeders except the solution recommended by all hummingbird experts: sugar water made from 3 to 5 parts water to 1 part white table sugar (do not add food coloring!). This is much more economical and probably also healthier (and tastier) for the birds than overpriced chemical-laced commercial mixes such as Perky Pet's "Instant Nectar." The solution should be changed every 2 to 4 days and the feeder cleaned thoroughly at least once a week, no matter what kind of hummingbird feeder you use.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Feeder, Excellent Price, July 19, 2008
This review is from: Perky Pet 203CP Pinch Waist Glass Hummingbird Feeder, 8 oz capacity (Lawn & Patio)
I love this feeder and so do the hummingbirds! Last year I had a different type (plastic bottle and without perches) and only had the occasional hummingbird. This year I bought one of the Perky Pet Pinch Waist feeders and I had a hummingbird in less than 20 minutes, within a week I bought two more to keep up with demand. I like the design of the feeder - the "pinched waist" gives it a little bit of character, and the size is large enough to be practical without being invasive. The three feeders are suspended by plant hooks under the eaves on the deck, which places them very close to the house. I have 10 "regulars" and several "visitors" that feed from dawn to twilight every day. I have to fill the feeders every morning - because they are empty and the little buggers have taken to scolding me when I'm not up early enough for their breakfast! I make half a gallon of nectar (4 parts water to 1 part sugar, brought to a low boil to extend freshness, per the wild bird experts) twice a week - yes that's a full gallon. I thought about getting larger capacity feeders, but this way I can do a hot water rinse of the bottle and reservoir every day and a thorough cleaning weekly. Although ants and hornets are a problem in our area, so far they haven't discovered the hummingbird feeders.
When I have company they are absolutely fascinated by the "show" they get from these cheeky little birds. They bicker (loudly), display, duel and chest bump each other to establish territory (the hummingbirds, not my guests). Some of them will share willingly with others and sit side-by-side at the feeder; some don't want any other hummers - at any of the feeders - while they are feeding. Most will perch, some will not. Most are used to me at the kitchen window and don't seem bothered when I watch them feed less than two feet away. I don't know how long the feeders will last, but for the price and the entertainment value, even if I have to replace them next year, it's been money well spent.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hummers Love It, March 27, 2006
This review is from: Perky Pet 203CP Pinch Waist Glass Hummingbird Feeder, 8 oz capacity (Lawn & Patio)
Just bought the second feeder. Yes, it does require some cleaning, but I now have a fresh one ready to hang while I wash the first feeder. Inexpensive and the birds are lapping up my homemade nectar-no red dye !!!!
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