For years, I just used the regular old kind. But I didn't like the mess it would make when emptying/refilling. So I found the top-fill kind. Loved them... except the bottom part would always leak. So as soon as I would buy one, I'd get out the silicone and "patch" it. But after a summer in the elements, the silicone would start to peel off. And leaks again. Has anyone found a really good brand of feeder that will last at least a year or two?
I have never had a leaker through all of the years of feeding hummingbirds or Orioles. I got a couple from fleet farm and most of them at the bird place I get a lot of seed from. You can always take them back if they leak right away. Now some will leak from the holes if you get a heavy bird tipping them but it quits as soon as it gets off. My feeders sometimes sweat and drip but the top part is the wet part that drips down. Most of my hummingbird feeders has an area where they can sit down and rest. I do have the ones that have the top on it that gets filled and you put the bottom on and flip it over. I have learned to never tighten it too much... I sometimes take them apart in the store to see how easy it will be to clean it. If it is in a box, ask the sales person to help you check it out and tell them why. I will not buy a feeder that I cannot check out or return it. I have at least 3 feeders that I alternate using, sometimes I don't have time to clean it after taking them down and I don't want them drinking cloudy sugar water. I change it every couple of days, depending on the weather. If you have alot of hummingbirds you will have to fill them more . Hummingbird ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden )
Now this is the feeder I have had for over 10 years. I need to buy a new one to replace it. It is from when I used to use the store bought food that you mix with water...that is why it is discolored. I learned early about the problems of cloudy sugar water, dyes in the premixed liquids and the granular that come out colored so I quit using them.
Sherry... The one's I have been getting leak at the base of the "flowers" and where the bottom parts join. Leaky feeder base ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden ) Typically they cost around $10. I'd pay more for one that doesn't need fixing right from the start!
My newest Hummingbird feeder... ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) Parts of my hummingbird feeder ( photo / image / picture from Sherry8's Garden ) I recycled the box already but I have a couple of this one...no name on the feeder. It was under 10 dollars and I am pretty sure I got it at Fleet farm and I did see them at Steins garden center. Never a leak...
The bird on the feeder is a house finch (female) they keep trying to get nectar from it. They also sit on the Oriole feeder. I will check the stores if I go out and see what brand it is.
