Filling a Wine Bottle Hummingbird Feeder

Before I made my first wine bottle hummingbird feeder, I searched high and low for a cork and hummingbird feeder tube that would work for this kind of project. I must admit that it was a little frustrating, though. I couldn't find anything at our local pet stores or the store that specializes in wild birds and bird feeders.

So, as no surprise, I ended up on Amazon where I discovered some basic Hummingbird Feeder Tubes For Making Your Own Feeders (Pkg of 12). (Single feeder tubes are also available on Amazon, Songbird Essentials SE619 Stopper Hummingbird Feeder Tube, but since I was planning on using this as a class project, I bought the multi-pack.) They looked like they might be just what I needed for the project. Then I read the reviews... People either loved these feeder tubes or hated them. I just couldn't understand how the tubes could work so well for some people and leak so terribly for others. I decided that they would still be worth a try.

I'll admit right now that my first couple attempts at using the feeder tubes did not end well. The first time I filled my feeder it dripped all over the place. The second time I had the opposite problem and the nectar was pulled up the tube and into the bottle so the birds couldn't reach it at all. And once, I didn't push the cork in tight enough so it fell out, leaving a sticky puddle all over the ground. But, after a bit of experimentation I found that these feeder tubes actually work pretty well if you fill the bottle correctly and remember a few tips:

• Fill your feeder when it's cool outside and the nectar, bottle and air temperature are all about the same.
• Fill the bottle completely (all the way to the tippy top) and wait until there are NO AIR BUBBLES in the nectar before you insert the feeder tube.
• Twist and push the feeder tube cork into the bottle to create a tight seal.
• Hang your feeder in a shady spot.
• Don't leave your feeder outside on super windy days.

You can watch my video tutorial for how to fill your wine bottle hummingbird feeder.

I'll walk you through the basic steps.

Set your hummingbird feeder on a flat surface. I like to fill mine near the sink so I can easily clean up any little spills.








Pour the nectar into your bottle so it is about halfway up the neck. Using a funnel makes the process easier, but it is not necessary.








You will notice that there are bubbles rising up through the nectar as well as on the surface of the nectar. Gently tap the bottle on the counter to force the air bubbles up.







Once there are no bubbles on the surface of the nectar and no more bubbles rising up, carefully fill the bottle all the way to the top.








Again, wait until there are no bubbles in the nectar.









Set the feeder tube into the neck of the bottle. To create a nice seal between the cork and the glass, twist the cork while you push it into the opening.







Notice that the nectar is being forced into the feeding tube.









Continue twisting and pushing the cork into the bottle until it is secure and a few drops of nectar have been forced out of the tip of the tube.

Take your feeder outside, turn the bottle upside down and hang your feeder for the hummingbirds to enjoy.