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(More customer reviews)I discovered the existence of the Perky Pet Window Mount Hummingbird Feeder last year at the dentist's office. While sitting in "the chair" waiting for my checkup, I noticed this feeder stuck to the long plate glass window opposite me. To my amazement, within minutes at least three different hummingbirds arrived to take a drink. I was fascinated to observe them so closely and thought how clever an idea it was to manufacture a feeder to bring the birds right to your window. I asked the dentist where he got the feeder and went out after my appointment and purchased one (not from Amazon).
The pluses and one minus follow:
++Easy to set up.++
After opening the box, attach the bird perch onto the feeder with the included screw. Pick a spot on the outside window where you want the feeder. Wet the inside of the included suction cup with water and press it on the window. You can even do this from inside your house if you want to attach your feeder to an upstairs window. Just test and make sure that the suction cup won't get knocked off when you open and close the window!
++Easy to clean.++
It is very important to clean the feeder prior to the first use, as well as when you change the sugar water solution, which should be done every 2-3 days, especially in hot weather. For cleaning, buy an inexpensive baby bottle brush cleaner that also has a smaller nipple brush attached to the other end. The large brush can clean the main sugar water container and the smaller brush works fantastically to get into the reservoir section to really scrub it out. Just use warm water and dish soap, rinse, and you're ready to fill.
++Easy to fill.++
The base (reservoir) of the feeder is removable and there is a wide area to pour in your sugar solution without needing a funnel. Once the base is off, just turn the feeder upside down, fill it, and reattach the base. Keep holding it upside down until you're ready to place it on the suction cup. Turn it carefully but quickly right side up, hang it on the suction cup, and you're done!
++No ant problems!++
Knock on wood, but I have never had problems with ants getting into the feeders. Perhaps it is because the feeders are on smooth glass and the ants can't walk across the window? I'm not sure why, but no ants have bothered them.
--The plastic brackets that click the base into place can break.--
Although this is a minus, it is not a big deal and does not take away from the 5-star rating. Why? Because even with the brackets broken off, the base has absolutely no problem staying attached. The fit is snug to begin with, so the brackets are more of an insurance thing than an absolute necessity. The feeder I've been using for almost 2 years has never had the base fall off even without the plastic brackets.Since I bought my first feeder over a year ago, I have since purchased three additional ones. My children have one in each of their rooms and I put the third one in another downstairs window. Every single one of them is visited many times a day by our area hummingbirds. It is a joy to be standing at the kitchen sink, making beds, or doing everyday chores and look up to observe a hummingbird fly in, perch, and take a long drink from one of our feeders. Being able to see hummingbirds "up close and personal" is always a treat!
Here are some tips (not all related to the product, but helpful nonetheless) that I have found useful in feeding hummingbirds:
**Don't fill the feeders completely.**
Since I change my sugar water every 2 days, I only fill the feeders about 1/4 full, if that. Unless your feeders empty out quickly, not filling them up the whole way will save on sugar water waste and will take less time to dump out, clean, and refill.
**Make your own sugar water solution.**
It is easy to do and less expensive than commercial nectar. You don't need to boil the water (unless your water isn't safe; if that's the case, you should boil it before YOU even drink it! :)). Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup granulated sugar to 1 cup water in a clean container. Mix well until the sugar has dissolved and you're good to go. The sugar water will last for a week in the refrigerator. Make sure you cover the top of the container. On a side note, I have heard that Domino pure cane sugar is what the hummingbirds prefer; don't know why, but it does seem to make a difference!
**When you take the feeders down for cleaning, keep them as upright as possible until you can get to your sink.**
I have forgotten this on occasion and had to clean up some sugar water spills. This is especially important if you are removing outside feeders from the inside of your house (e.g., if your feeders are in upstairs windows). Try to keep them as level as possible when moving them into the room from the window. You may want to have some paper towels to place underneath the feeders as you move them to catch any spills.
The above tips have helped me to attract and enjoy hummingbirds over the last year and a half. I look forward to spring when they arrive and am sorry to see them go in the fall. The best thing is, once they know you'll feed them consistently, they will come back year after year.
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Perky Pet Products 217 8-Ounce Window Mount Hummingbird FeederThe Window Mount Hummingbird Feeder easily attaches to a window, wall, or post, so you can enjoy watching hummingbirds from the windows of your house. The clear acrylic feeder bottle is built for strength and durability. It has an 8-ounce nectar capacity and quick release clips, so moving the feeder is easy and convenient. The feeder has an easy-to-clean wide-mouth design and a no-drip feeding base so nectar will not be wasted. The two feeding stations each have perches and snap-on yellow flower accents to add interest and attract hummingbirds. Perky-Pet Products is dedicated to giving you the very highest quality and performance, so you can be sure their products and accessories are dependable.
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