Few backyard experiences are as exciting as watching a hummingbird hover at a feeder, flash its brilliant feathers in the sunlight, or defend a favorite flower with a surprising amount of attitude.

Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs carries hummingbird feeders, nectar supplies, insulated feeder options, ant moats, cleaning tools, mounting accessories, and other products designed to help you feed hummingbirds responsibly.

Visit us at 2450 Montebello Square Drive, and our team can help you choose a feeder, find the right location, prepare safe nectar, and solve common hummingbird-feeding challenges.

Hummingbirds in Colorado Springs

Several hummingbird species may be seen in the Colorado Springs area during migration and the breeding season.

Local and migrating visitors may include:

• Broad-tailed Hummingbirds
• Black-chinned Hummingbirds
• Rufous Hummingbirds
• Calliope Hummingbirds

Which species you see will depend on your location, elevation, habitat, and the time of year. Some hummingbirds remain in an area for much of the season, while others may appear briefly as they travel between breeding and wintering grounds.

Providing flowers, insects, shelter, water, and properly maintained feeders can make your yard more welcoming to these remarkable birds.

Choosing a Hummingbird Feeder

The best hummingbird feeder is one that is easy for hummingbirds to use and easy for you to take apart, clean, and refill.

When choosing a feeder, consider:

• How easily it comes apart
• Whether every nectar-contacting surface can be reached and cleaned
• The number and shape of the feeding ports
• Whether it includes an ant moat
• How well it resists leaking
• How much nectar it holds
• Whether it can be hung or window-mounted
• How much direct sunlight the location receives
• How often you can clean and refill it

A large feeder is not always better. If only a few hummingbirds are visiting, a smaller feeder can reduce wasted nectar and make frequent changes easier.

Saucer vs Bottle-Style Hummingbird Feeders

Saucer Feeders

Saucer-style feeders hold nectar in a shallow reservoir beneath the feeding ports. They are our favorites because they are often easy to fill and clean, and their design can help reduce leaking.

Many saucer feeders also provide a perch where hummingbirds can rest while drinking.

Bottle-Style Feeders

Bottle-style feeders store nectar above the feeding ports. They can hold more nectar and are available in many shapes and sizes.

Because nectar is held above the ports, changes in temperature, air pressure, or positioning may cause dripping. Careful assembly and proper placement can help reduce leaks.

Neither design is automatically right for every yard. The best choice depends on your birds, location, cleaning routine, and personal preference.

Window-Mounted Hummingbird Feeders

A window-mounted feeder can provide an exceptionally close view of visiting hummingbirds.

Make sure the feeder is securely attached and positioned where it can be safely reached for frequent cleaning. Clean the window and suction cups before installation, check the attachment regularly, and follow the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.

A feeder mounted directly on a window is close enough that a departing hummingbird cannot build up much speed before reaching the glass. Other nearby windows should still be evaluated for reflections and treated when necessary to reduce collision risk.

How Many Feeding Ports Do You Need?

A feeder with several ports can serve multiple hummingbirds, but hummingbirds do not always agree to share.

One territorial bird may attempt to control an entire feeder. Adding more ports to that same feeder may not solve the problem if the dominant bird can watch all of them at once.

If one hummingbird is chasing away the others, try placing two or more feeders where a single bird cannot easily see or defend every feeding location.

Where Should You Place a Hummingbird Feeder?

Place the feeder where hummingbirds can find it and where you can reach it easily for cleaning and refilling.

A good location often provides:

• Some protection from the hottest afternoon sun
• Nearby trees, shrubs, or other perches
• A clear approach to the feeding ports
• Protection from strong wind
• Distance from pesticide-treated areas
• Convenient access for daily inspection
• A location away from outdoor cats and other predators

Partial shade can help keep nectar cooler, but a feeder hidden too deeply beneath a roof or within dense foliage may be harder for passing hummingbirds to notice.

Red flowers, ribbons, or other red accents placed near a new feeder may help draw attention to the area. NEVER add red coloring to the nectar.

The Correct Hummingbird Nectar Recipe

Making safe hummingbird nectar at home is simple.

Use:

1 part plain white granulated sugar
4 parts water

For example:

1 cup white sugar
4 cups water

Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Warm water is enough to dissolve the sugar; you don't need to boil the water, but the nectar should be completely cool before it is placed outside.

Only use plain white granulated sugar and water.

What Should Never Be Added to Hummingbird Nectar?

Do not add:

• Red dye or food coloring
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Raw sugar
• Powdered sugar
• Molasses
• Maple syrup
• Fruit juice
• Artificial sweeteners
• Flavoring
• Vitamins or supplements 

These ingredients can change the nectar’s composition, introduce unwanted substances, or create health risks.

The feeder itself can use red ports, flowers, or accents to attract attention. The nectar should remain clear.

What Can Be Added to Hummingbird Nectar?

The only nectar additive we recommend is Nectar Defender, used exactly as directed. It is specifically formulated for hummingbird nectar and uses a carefully measured amount of a mineral micronutrient that hummingbirds naturally consume in flower nectar and insects. When properly mixed, it remains within the natural dietary range considered safe for hummingbirds.

Nectar Defender helps slow the growth of microorganisms that cause nectar to spoil. It contains no red dye or artificial preservatives and can be added to properly prepared nectar made with plain white sugar and water.

Always follow the label directions carefully. Do not substitute copper supplements, copper sulfate, vitamins, preservatives, or homemade additives. Nectar Defender also does not make a dirty feeder safe. Continue checking the nectar regularly and clean the feeder whenever it becomes cloudy, contaminated, or dirty.

Why Is the Nectar Recipe One Part Sugar to Four Parts Water?

The standard 1:4 recipe provides a sugar concentration similar to the nectar found in many hummingbird-pollinated flowers.

Adding extra sugar does not make nectar healthier. A mixture that is too concentrated can be difficult for hummingbirds to process and may spoil or crystallize differently. A mixture that is too weak provides less energy with each visit.

Keep the recipe consistent: one part white sugar to four parts water.

How Often Should Hummingbird Nectar Be Changed?

Hummingbird nectar spoils much faster than many people realize.

As a general rule, nectar should never remain in a feeder for more than three days. Clean the feeder every time you replace the nectar. Do not simply pour out the old nectar and add fresh nectar to an unwashed feeder.

During hot weather, nectar must be changed more frequently.

When temperatures reach 90°F or above, replace the nectar and clean the feeder every single day.

Nectar may also need to be changed sooner if:

• It becomes cloudy
• You see floating material
• Mold appears
• Insects or debris enter the feeder
• The feeder develops an unusual odor
• Nectar begins leaking
• The feeder receives intense sunlight
• Many hummingbirds are using it

When in doubt, throw it out, clean the feeder, and prepare fresh nectar.

Want to understand why these cleaning and nectar-changing recommendations matter so much? Read Are You Helping or Harming Hummingbirds? The Hard Truth About Feeders by our owner, Heather, on the Wild Bird Warble blog.

Cleaning a Hummingbird Feeder

Clean the feeder every time you replace the nectar.

To clean it:

• Empty all old nectar.
• Take the feeder apart completely.
• Rinse and scrub all accessible surfaces.
• Clean inside every feeding port and small opening.
• Rinse everything thoroughly.
• Allow the feeder to dry or refill it immediately with fresh nectar.

Use brushes made for hummingbird feeding ports, bottle interiors, and other small spaces. Keep these tools separate from brushes used for dishes or food preparation.

If you see mold or suspect contamination, disinfect the feeder with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. Rinse every part extremely thoroughly and allow it to dry completely before refilling.

Replace parts that remain stained, damaged, cracked, or impossible to clean.

Our backyard bird-care guide contains additional information about maintaining feeders, bird baths, and fresh bird food.

Do Not Top Off Old Nectar

Adding fresh nectar to old nectar does not make the mixture fresh again.

Old nectar may already contain yeast, mold, bacteria, or debris. Pour it out, clean the feeder, and refill it with a completely fresh batch.

You also do not need to fill the feeder to the top. If your hummingbirds only drink a small amount before the next required cleaning, make a smaller batch and fill the feeder only as much as needed.

Keeping Nectar Cooler During Hot Weather

Colorado Springs can experience intense sunlight and very warm summer days. Heat can cause nectar to spoil quickly.

To help protect nectar:

• Place the feeder where it receives afternoon shade
• Use a smaller amount of nectar
• Replace nectar more frequently
• Avoid hanging the feeder beside heat-reflecting walls or metal surfaces
• Consider an insulated hummingbird feeder
• Keep a second clean feeder available for easy rotation
• Inspect the nectar every day

We carry Anna’s Healthy Hummingbird Feeder, an insulated feeder designed to help protect nectar from temperature extremes. Our team can help you decide whether an insulated feeder is appropriate for your location.

Even an insulated feeder still requires regular nectar changes and cleaning.

Preventing Ants

Ants are attracted to sugar water and may quickly discover a hummingbird feeder.

An ant moat creates a water barrier between the hanging point and the feeder. Some feeders include a built-in moat, while others can be paired with a separate moat.

Keep the moat filled with plain water. Never fill it with oil, pesticides, sticky substances, or chemicals that could contact birds.

Also check for dripping nectar, nearby branches touching the feeder, or alternate routes ants may be using.

Managing Bees and Wasps

Bees and wasps may investigate hummingbird feeders, particularly when flowers and other natural nectar sources are limited.

To reduce insect activity:

• Clean spilled nectar immediately
• Correct leaks
• Keep the feeder level
• Use bee-resistant feeding ports when appropriate
• Move the feeder a short distance after insects establish a pattern
• Provide native flowers for pollinators
• Avoid spraying pesticides near the feeder

You can also offer Bees a shallow dish of sugar water in a different location, but native plants are always the best option!

Never coat feeding ports with oil, petroleum jelly, or other sticky substances. These products can contaminate feathers.

Bees, wasps, and hummingbirds are all important parts of the ecosystem. The goal is to reduce competition at the feeder without harming visiting insects.

Why Are Hummingbirds Fighting?

Hummingbirds can be intensely territorial. Chasing does not necessarily mean the feeder is poorly placed or that you have done something wrong.

A dominant hummingbird may guard a feeder from a nearby perch and chase almost every visitor that approaches.

To serve more hummingbirds:

• Add another feeder
• Place feeders out of sight of one another
• Use different sides of the house
• Create multiple feeding areas
• Add nectar-producing flowers throughout the yard

Several smaller feeders spread across the property may serve more hummingbirds than one large feeder with many ports.

Flowers for Hummingbirds

Feeders are only one part of a hummingbird-friendly habitat.

Hummingbirds also benefit from flowering plants, insects, shelter, perches, and safe nesting habitat. Native and regionally appropriate flowers can provide nectar while supporting the insects hummingbirds need for protein.

Colorado-friendly hummingbird plants may include:

• Penstemons
• Agastache
• Columbines
• Salvias
• Bee balm
• Trumpet honeysuckle
• Currants
• Paintbrush
• Firecracker penstemon
• Other tubular red, orange, pink, or purple flowers

Choose plants suited to your elevation, soil, sunlight, and available water. Avoid treating hummingbird plants with pesticides that could harm birds or the insects they eat.

Hummingbirds Need More Than Nectar

Hummingbirds do not live on sugar water alone.

Nectar provides energy, but hummingbirds also eat tiny insects and spiders for protein and other nutrients. A healthy yard that supports insects is an important part of hummingbird habitat.

To support natural food:

• Grow a variety of plants
• Include native species
• Avoid unnecessary pesticide use
• Leave some natural structure in the garden
• Provide shrubs and trees
• Allow small insects to remain part of the ecosystem

Never add protein, insects, supplements, or other ingredients to hummingbird nectar.

Water for Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds drink water, but they also use water for bathing.

They may be especially attracted to:

• Fine misters
• Dripping water
• Wet leaves
• Shallow bubbling fountains
• Gently moving water
• Very shallow bird-bath edges

A deep traditional basin may not be their preferred bathing location. Keep water movement gentle and provide textured surfaces where hummingbirds can perch safely.

Visit our guide to bird baths and heated bird baths in Colorado Springs for more information.

Do Feeders Prevent Hummingbirds From Migrating?

No! Leaving a feeder available does not stop a healthy hummingbird from migrating.

Migration is driven by changing daylight, hormones, weather, food availability, and other biological signals. A hummingbird will leave when its body tells it that it is time.

Keeping a clean feeder available can help late migrants that are still passing through. Continue maintaining it properly for as long as it remains outside.

Do not worry that your feeder will convince hummingbirds to stay when they should migrate.

When Should Hummingbird Feeders Go Up?

Hummingbird arrival dates vary with the year, weather, elevation, and species. But generally, hummingbirds start arriving in Colorado Springs around Tax Day, mid-April. Putting feeders out before you expect the first arrivals can help early migrants find a dependable source of energy.

Once the feeder is outside, keep it clean and filled with fresh nectar even if you have not yet seen a hummingbird. An empty or spoiled feeder cannot help a passing bird.

Local observations and migration reports can help you watch for seasonal movement.

When Should Hummingbird Feeders Come Down?

You do not need to remove your feeder to encourage migration.

Continue offering fresh nectar while hummingbirds are visiting. After your regular visitors leave, keeping the feeder available for two weeks after you see or hear your last hummingbird may serve later migrants passing through the area. Usually that's mid to late October in Colorado Springs.

A feeder should come down immediately if:

• You cannot maintain fresh nectar
• A sick bird is using it
• It is attracting a bear
• It is leaking badly
• It has become damaged
• Local wildlife officials advise removal

The calendar is less important than proper maintenance and local wildlife conditions.

Hummingbird Feeders and Bears

Hummingbird nectar contains sugar and can attract bears.

Black bears can appear throughout much of Colorado Springs. Place hummingbird feeders with local bear activity in mind, clean spilled nectar, and never store nectar or feeders where a bear can reach them.

If a bear reaches the feeder, receives nectar, or repeatedly investigates the area, remove the feeder immediately. Bringing a feeder inside at night may reduce risk in some circumstances, but bears can also be active during the day.

Visit our guide to bird feeders and bears in Colorado Springs for detailed information about responsible feeding in bear country.

Hummingbird Feeders and Other Wildlife

Raccoons, deer, squirrels, ants, bees, and other animals may investigate a hummingbird feeder.

Thoughtful placement can reduce access. Keep feeders away from railings, fences, low roofs, and branches that mammals can use to reach them. Clean drips and spills promptly.

If mammals repeatedly empty or damage a feeder, move it, change the mounting system, or temporarily remove it while considering a more appropriate setup.

What If a Sick Hummingbird Visits?

Signs of a possible problem may include unusual lethargy, poor balance, difficulty flying, labored breathing, visible injury, or remaining at the feeder for unusually long periods without normal alert behavior.

Do not attempt to catch or handle a hummingbird unless instructed by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

If a sick bird has used the feeder:

• Remove the feeder temporarily
• Discard the nectar
• Clean and disinfect every part
• Rinse it extremely thoroughly
• Allow it to dry completely
• Contact an appropriate wildlife professional when needed

Visit our bird health resources for additional guidance.

Hummingbird Feeders and Nectar: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct hummingbird nectar recipe?

Mix one part plain white granulated sugar with four parts water. Do not add dye or other ingredients.

Does hummingbird nectar need to be red?

No! The feeder may have red parts that attract attention, but the nectar should remain clear.

Can I use organic, raw, or brown sugar?

No. Use plain white granulated sugar. Other sugars may contain minerals, molasses, or additional substances that are not appropriate for hummingbird nectar.

Can I use honey?

No. Honey should never be used in hummingbird nectar.

Can I use artificial sweetener?

No. Artificial sweeteners do not provide the energy hummingbirds need and should not be used.

Do I need to boil hummingbird nectar?

Warm water can help dissolve the sugar, but the finished nectar must be completely cool before filling the feeder. The most important steps are using the correct ingredients and ratio, keeping equipment clean, and replacing nectar frequently.

How often should I change the nectar?

Never leave nectar in a feeder for more than three days. Change it sooner in warm weather or whenever it becomes cloudy or contaminated. At 90°F or above, change it every day.

Why is my nectar cloudy?

Cloudiness can indicate spoilage or contamination. Discard the nectar, clean the feeder thoroughly, and refill it with a fresh batch.

Why is my hummingbird feeder leaking?

Heat, direct sunlight, wind, an uneven hanging position, damaged seals, incorrect assembly, or changes in air pressure may contribute to leaking. Bring the feeder inside, clean it, inspect all parts, and reassemble it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Why have hummingbirds stopped visiting?

Natural flowers may be abundant, migration may be underway, a territorial bird or predator may be present, or the nectar may need to be replaced. Seasonal changes in activity are normal.

Will hummingbirds become dependent on my feeder?

Feeders supplement the natural nectar and insects hummingbirds find throughout the day. You can temporarily remove a feeder when cleaning, illness, predators, or bears make it necessary.

Will leaving my feeder up stop migration?

No. Feeders do not prevent hummingbirds from migrating when it is time for them to leave.

How can I attract more hummingbirds?

Offer properly maintained feeders, add nectar-rich flowers, avoid pesticides, provide mist or shallow moving water, include nearby shelter, and create more than one feeding location when territorial birds dominate a feeder.

 

Find Hummingbird Feeders and Nectar Supplies in Colorado Springs

Visit Wild Birds Unlimited of Colorado Springs at 2450 Montebello Square Drive for hummingbird feeders, insulated feeder options, ant moats, cleaning brushes, nectar supplies, mounting accessories, and local advice.

Tell us where you plan to hang the feeder, how much sun the location receives, and about any leaking, insects, territorial behavior, or other challenges you are experiencing.

We are always happy to help you create a hummingbird-feeding routine that is safe for the birds, manageable for you, and suited to your Colorado Springs property!