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A 37 CENT, MINIATURE HUMMINGBIRD FEEDER

I was shopping at one of our bigger markets when I spotted these little salt shakers in the housewares department. They cost 37 cents each. There were six in stock and I bought them all. They are about 3 inches in diameter and about that tall. Most hummingbirds have a bill about one and a half inches long and a tongue about that same length. I reasoned that if I drilled an 1/8th inch hole about 3/4ths up from the bottom, there would be about two inches of food. I choose an 1/8 hole because bees can't get into the feeder. 1/16 is probably too small for the bill (alto the tongue can get through that sized hole), it would be perfect if you can find a size too small for ants to crawl in. Maybe 3/32 hole would work all around. The hummers should be able to feed clear to the bottom. The feeder holds about a quarter cup of sugar water. Probably enough for several days for a single bird or one day for several birds. There is no need to color the water as it is in a red container.

Here is my 37 cent salt shaker, as purchased. I think that it's supposed to look like a tomato.

I drilled 4 each one-eighth inch holes about 2 inches up from the botton (about an inch from the top)

Then I drilled a hole in the top and made a little wire hanger out of a paper clip.

A little yellow paint around the feeder holes so that they show well. Fill with sugar water until in comes out of the holes and hang it up.

Step back quickly before the hungry hummers bump into you.

I'll use these feeders when I'm camping in the states. I generally stay only a day or two in any campground, so these little feeders are much better that those big one liter models that work well at home.



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