The humming bird feeder Thread Post your pics!

[RamblezMarblez]

With all the positive responses from the previous thread I wrote, Lets dedicate a whole thread to hummerbird feeder designs, ideas, advise, and pictures of all the different types. I will be working all day in the studio creating different styles and hopefully an all glass design. I especially like the ant moats the most. Please post your pics. I've seen years ago in Chinchiteage Virginia humming bird feeders with a few quick marbles all over going for $200 and it was all glass. At the time, I was just reading about lampworking and never took a picture. Glass feeders are big business right now! I'll post some pics in a couple days.....Slick:o:

[jr23]

I have never made the glass part of a hummingbird feeder. I make them from 20-30 year old bottles and decanters. Then I wrap with copper and make a flower from copper. As the center piece for the flower I make a red flare type flower and let it get all wavy and such. I will snap some pics but I sell the shit out of these at the Renn fairs. I know its not period correct but I use Crown Royal bottles to fill in the blanks when I can't find cool decanters and such.


Also old decanter tops make great mini oil lamps make the wick diffuser yourself and use your glassblowing skill to make a glass shade for it. I make these in limited quantities so I will have to do one to take a pic.

Also I take my marbles that don't come out so well but are not cracked or fatally flawed and make a copper spiral and stick the mibs in there. When the wind blows it looks like a Archimedes Screw, Its just a Illusion cause the mibs stay in the same place and the optics fool you a little. These are made in china for yard art and sold for dirt. So I make smaller ones and to hang from the bottom of the bird fedders.

Peace

[Icarus]

I have never made the glass part of a hummingbird feeder. I make them from 20-30 year old bottles and decanters. Then I wrap with copper and make a flower from copper. As the center piece for the flower I make a red flare type flower and let it get all wavy and such. I will snap some pics but I sell the shit out of these at the Renn fairs. I know its not period correct but I use Crown Royal bottles to fill in the blanks when I can't find cool decanters and such.


Also old decanter tops make great mini oil lamps make the wick diffuser yourself and use your glassblowing skill to make a glass shade for it. I make these in limited quantities so I will have to do one to take a pic.

Also I take my marbles that don't come out so well but are not cracked or fatally flawed and make a copper spiral and stick the mibs in there. When the wind blows it looks like a Archimedes Screw, Its just a Illusion cause the mibs stay in the same place and the optics fool you a little. These are made in china for yard art and sold for dirt. So I make smaller ones and to hang from the bottom of the bird fedders.

Peace

Man, you gotta snap some pics of your work. I'm sort of able to visualize it, but I'd love to see it. It sounds awesome!

[jr23]

I have some basic ones here, I will snap a pic today after work. I have been flipping 5 or more of these type feeders per weekend Fair. Its the old bottles, the copper flower, or the lampworked center piece that seals the deal. It gives me many sales pitch angles.

If they like the copper I gush about it. If its the bottles they like I try to remember where each bottle came from and tell them about the day I found it, If its the glass centerpiece they like I tell them about the fabrication of it ! Rarely does some one here all three pitch lines without taking one home.

[menty666]

These are two I have up for sale at the moment (haven't had a lot of torch time lately).

The one I posted last night:

http://munkinarts.com/gallery/hmfdr03192009_001a.jpg (http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=161987)

Another with a longer neck:

http://munkinarts.com/gallery/hmfdr03192009_002a.jpg
(http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22617370)


http://munkinarts.com/gallery/hmfdr03192009_002b.jpg
(http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22617370)

Pretty simple, but they look nice hanging outside.

[RamblezMarblez]

Sorry for the delay.

[sunray]

Here's the one Trev made for me.

[RamblezMarblez]

Some new ones

[RamblezMarblez]

The one on the bottom needs a cork on the top. There's a hole on the side too. No copycats w/o sending me some colors MoFo's!......Slick

[Icarus]

The one on the bottom needs a cork on the top. There's a hole on the side too. No copycats w/o sending me some colors MoFo's!......Slick

Thirteen examples of prior art (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21584095@N00/sets/72157601986292005/)

Looks like you owe someone a lot of color...mofo.

[FredLight]

Ok, those ones on Flickr are awesome. The pics with the birds feeding from them will sell them alone.

Stackable? That's plus.

[menty666]

Thirteen examples of prior art (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21584095@N00/sets/72157601986292005/)

Looks like you owe someone a lot of color...mofo.

dayahm...those are gorgeous!

[Icarus]

dayahm...those are gorgeous!

I know, aren't they? The coolest part is, realizing that if you can make a decent pipe, you already have the skill set to make one of those.

Course, if you do end up deciding to make one of those, slick might feel that you owe him some color, but you'll have to take that up with him.

[The Lorax]

a glass on glass humming bird feeder would be nice.

[Ginkgoglass]

those Fliker pics are amazing! Beautiful hummingbird feeders.

The only thing I can't figure out is how they got the small red tubing down in the bowl. It looks like it is melted into the bowl not just inserted.

[hashmasta-kut]

edit:

oops i never read the thread topic properly, sorry.

[RamblezMarblez]

Yeah... just send me some color where I spent last night, Your Moms!

[phab]

...so whats in the feeders? is it just water er what...?

[medicatedMELTDOWN]

...so whats in the feeders? is it just water er what...?

sugar water. Humming birds are crazy in terms of how much energy they go through. They drink more than their own weight in nectar every day.

You can buy expensive hummingbird food at stores, but it is pointless to do that when you can mix it yourself for a few pennies... The ratio of 1 cup white granulated sugar to 4 cups water is a good mix they love. It helps to boil the sugar water and let it cool before you fill the feeders. There is no need to add red food coloring like you see in the stores. The birds don't care if it is clear liquid. We have hummingbirds at our feeder nearly everyday of the year and this time of the year they are drinking more than ever. I have even seen a woodpecker stick its beak in the hummingbird feeder, but that is really rare...

[slave]

Anyone have any pictures in action (birds included)?

[forum593]

just made this one for a friend who's been buggin me to make some for like a year..

[medicatedMELTDOWN]

Anyone have any pictures in action (birds included)?

I haven't made any feeders out of glass, but here are some photos I took last year. I have wanted to make my own feeder, but I'm not really sure the best way to do it. Those photos on flickr seem like a good design with the downstem. thanks for posting that link....

This guy is sticking his tongue out.... :tongue2:

[KT-Old School Glass]

Wish I had taken a pic of the one I did last week...I'll see if I can get a pic later today as it is a gift for my mother.

[Icarus]

Yeah... just send me some color where I spent last night, Your Moms!

So that's why my parents dog is now pregnant? Oh, well, that explains it.

[jane clifton]

good one!

[ivebeenshotafied]

i had a quick question in the ones in this link they all seem to have a downstem..is this required for a style like this; or is it just for overall looks. cause they look very mine just have a larger bowl pushed, angled down so the beak of the bird could get to the bottom

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2433069595_a7c459f653.jpg?v=0

will post pics as soon as they are out the garage.

[RamblezMarblez]

New hum bird feeder and a couple pipes

[phab]

...can one of you with experience in making these clarify the downstems? i see some that dont appear to have them. are they necessary? i saw some that looked like they didnt have a downstem but i was just wondering if its better for the bird or what.
thanks

[bzglass]

Well if you look at the way a hummingbird feeds you'll notice they have long tounges that could slide down the downstem. A downstem isn't necessary though. Look at all the common humming bird feeders they have a very tiny hole that allows for the birds tounge to slip in while not allowing the feeder to drip. This down stem idea is really neat.

The advantage of the large opening like a bowl push to a downstem in the flicker photos serves two purposes (I believe), First to fill the feeder, and second to allow the birds to get their tounges as far as possible down the stem. If you notice the level of the liquid nectar is always below the hole opening, otherwise the nectar would flow out. So as the level lowers the bird would need to stick its tounge further down the stem to drink. So the large opening would allow the bird to get closer to the nectar.

[Swampy]

Just a simple question;

How do you keep the feeder clean?

[menty666]

Just a simple question;

How do you keep the feeder clean?

I'd just mix in a cap full of bleach with the nectar. No bacteria, no pesky hummingbirds. Easy peasy.




;)

[bzglass]

Just a simple question;

How do you keep the feeder clean?

From my experience the feeder stays fairly clean, I am not sure exactly what you are refering to. However, nectar is just sugar water, so all you would have to do is wash it in hot water to remove any build up or residue. Or just throw it in the dishwasher. You should probably clean it out every season or so.

Menty thats not very nice!!

[Swampy]

Yeah sorry I should have clarified.

The health of the birds' digestive system would be my concern and whilst the examples on the Flickr site (http://www.flickr.com/photos/21584095@N00/sets/72157601986292005/) are really nice to look at, I'm thinking they could only be cleaned by chemical means. and hard to rinse out the chemical agent afterwards?

An ornithologist friend says use boiled water and sugar is okay to use as the protein. She also mentioned to watch out for bees getting stuck in your hole. They tend to make things a bit whiffy.

Further;

Never feed hummingbirds with fancy sugary recipes such as honey, cane or maple syrup, molasses, or glucose. This kills them. They cannot process anything but sucrose fast enough to keep them alive.

Don't be a part time feeder. If you start feeding, your population of hummingbirds will expand very quickly to take into account the local food source. You will see an increase of hummingbirds that become dependent on the sugar you are providing and they will set up home in the immediate vicinity. When you stop, a portion of those birds will become energy depleted within a day and not survive, especially if there are no nearby nectar sources such as in towns with few gardens etc. Or in farmland with no flowering plants.

Considering the health of these amazing little birds, I'd say the first picture of the one Slick posted would be the best style to be able to clean properly.

[menty666]

Anything useful I make out of boro (as opposed to decorative) I usually bill as dishwasher safe as a selling point. But it is a good question on how to clean the downstem variety of feeders because if you get ants in there, for example, getting them out's going to be a pain.




Menty thats not very nice!!
:devilish:




;)

[bzglass]

bad munkin

[phab]

...swampy i think no matter what design you go with if cleaning the feeder is whats on your mind i gotta believe that even the examples from the flicker slideshow would clean up nicely if you put them in boiling water for 5 or 10 minutes.

[Swampy]

True, true and like I say it's just the well-being of the bird I'm thinking about.

If I ever made anything like that I'd put in a user's feeding and cleaning guide. If anyone cares enough to feed the bird they'd also care for their well-being too, I guess.

[loco]

I never claimed to be sane. However, I will say that a bit to much beer and the torch don't always mix so well.

[High Noon]

Where is a good place to get the stoppers from ?

[bzglass]

Try scrolling down in this thread (http://www.talkglass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24814) there is a lot of rubber stopper options. Also ebay has the ones with the downspout, from time to time

[Izzy Spun]

i think they're like 35 cents at abr.

[High Noon]

Thanks ... What about the red stopper part? Or do I just leave a small hole in the end ? ( Like the size of a tungsten pick? )

[Izzy Spun]

i might be way off here, but I think that the hole in the end doesn't have to be too small. it seems to me, that if the level of the fluid in the feeder is right, the air pressure will allow the tube to hold food, kinda like sticking a straw in your glass of water, then putting your finger over the other end. It holds water. Like I said, I'm not sure though.

[RamblezMarblez]

The way I figure, The empty space in the feeder heats up during the day creating an expansion which pushes the nector out. There is a bb in red stopper part.

[MUPH]

Got some action shots, Im not on my computer so I had some trouble uploading the rest of them

[RamblezMarblez]

Very Nice!

[Pogo]

sweet!

i've got a swarm of like 14/15 on a plastic hunk a junk...
glass is way slicker

[fireflyartglass]

Thats cool loco you really do live up to your name!

[Swampy]

So I scored some rubber corks complete with feeder tubes from Aftosa, similar to the one shown in Muph's picture at post #45.


Has anyone got these to work?

I've found that
a.) after filling and inverting, the cork slides out all by itself after a minute or so... should I abrade the hole so that the cork gets a better grip?

b.) after filling, air stays in the feeder tube, I mean it doesn't fill with feedwater... how do you get the feeder tube to fill up?


I made about half a dozen of these (No. 1 Mk. 1) because I thought it was a design fault or something about the way I was filling them. None of them filled the feeding tube.

What am I doing wrong?

[3ripmin]

your 2nd question, mine are like that too but i just shake them till it comes out the tip and then i just leave it. i think that the weight of the water will make it go to the tip and then the hummingbirds will pull it out more. i dont think that there is a way to make it soild water at the tip.

[MUPH]

To get the air out of the feeder tube, just suck on the tip a little. It really doesnt make a difference if the air is in there because the birds will still get the solution out.

I never did anything to the hole to keep the cork in place, but my stoppers were more of a rubbery synthetic cork then an actual cork. Maybe try soaking the cork in water before inserting into the hole.

I left plenty of opportunities for people to jump on these quotes so dont disappoint

[Swampy]

To get the air out of the feeder tube, just suck on the tip a little. It really doesnt make a difference if the air is in there because the birds will still get the solution out.

and flap my fucking arms at the same time, right. make sure there's a crowd of tourists watching... 'hi there, folks I'm just teaching them how to do it...'


I never did anything to the hole to keep the cork in place, but my stoppers were more of a rubbery synthetic cork then an actual cork. Maybe try soaking the cork in water before inserting into the hole.

we're still on hummingbird feeders right or you just want me to talk dirty (I charge...). so my stoppers are the same material you describe, not cork (more hygienic). I'm actually prototyping the No. 1 Mk. 2, so far so good, if all okay I'll post pics later.


I left plenty of opportunities for people to jump on these quotes so dont disappoint

that's just so 'look at me'.

[MUPH]

Soak that cork

[The Madhatter]

For cleaning ones with downstems, try leaving a 1/4 inch hole at the top back side, for pouring in the food, and as for cleaning it out, you can cork it. Try one rinse soapy water and 2 rinses clean water and that baby will shine :-)

I really like the downstem design, because I think it'll keep the damn hornets out. Also, try designing a little rest for them. I was thinking a simple glass T sticking out just below the bowl push. I know the hummingbirds prefer to sit and relax while feeding - I've watched them since I was a kid.

Thank's for your posts everyone! Awesome stuff!!!!!!

[jane clifton]

Hey Swampy, I use the same corks and had the same problem on the smaller ones I made but not on the larger size, go figure. That was the only thing I could think would make a difference.
When I say smaller one, I mean about the size of a baseball whereas the bigger one is about the size of a softball.
Sorry, that's all i got!!!

[Swampy]

Thanks and thanks Jane, glad to know it's not just me... feel like I wasted some time and materials making the series but I'll grind the rim and see if that gives the bung more 'tooth' to retain it...

Since then I've progressed onto an all-glass design, just a small cork plug in the top for filling and cleaning. I have a bloke down in southern Belize testing the style, he has an abundance of hummers down there and he's also an amazing photographer, so.

Cleanliness is a major consideration for me so I would recommend half-filling with rubbing alcohol and a teaspoon of salt, leave to soak for a short while then shake frantically and rinse afterwards.

These tiny birds are amazing and I wonder if they are easily prone to infection from a dirty feeder... nectar from a flower is fresh and clean but a badly maintained feeder can grow fungus I guess?

[NUBBLET]

I made the stem like an italic L < but not that sharp , I tried to leave the bottom of the "mouthpiece" at the same height as the top of the bend if this makes sense . I didnt see it in action but the lady said it works fine , I gave a few downstems for it , but she said the one I had chosen worked the best .

[bzglass]

Made this video recently, and thought it would be cool to share in this thread. I love watching humming birds, I'm pretty sure I get from my Mom. If any of you ever go to Tucson, and visit the Sonora Desert Museum. They have a humming bird aviary (http://www.desertmuseum.org/visit/exhibits_pollinationgardens.php) that you can walk inside, and get face to face, with the flying artists. They will land on you, and hover right in front of you. It is an awesome experience.

A H-bird feeder video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6hJP_UT_M0)

[MPGB]

To help keep ants out add a water trough on the top by the hanging string. Most ants won't travel through it. That what we do when we have cake or other sweets out over night in the kitchen, we fill a plate with water add a cup upside down and rest the cake plate on the cup.

[berning]

feeders are my project for today. i've been finding that people that want a pretty feeder for outside their kitchen window, will buy mine ,but a lot of people want a bigger feeder, they have lots of hummingbirds. yesterday while i was doin my weekend thing, a group of ladies told me that they would gladly pay 3 times as much for a feeder 3 times as big. i decided that was the last time oi was gonna hear that. today i'm making bigger feeders.

here's the the style i was makin

[BoroZillacate]

Nice work Jeff

[LowTideGlass]

Here is an older feeder that I made. The action shot came out nice tho. Check out his lil tongue :D

http://i722.photobucket.com/albums/ww221/tpiebes/hummingbird003.jpg

[wieseatron]

Nice colors, and awesome photo shot! I like the added leaves on there

[HDGlassArt]

i got a quick question....where do i get the little red thingy for the end of it that the bird eats from? i've looked, but i'm lazy and don't want to look forever. maybe someone will be kind enough to let me know, pretty please......

[Icarus]

Best of luck to you.

[Greenhorse Glass]

http://trevsglass.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14&zenid=705894243cad664b172094b79629a92d

Trevs had them. They seem high though and their link isnt working right now.

[HDGlassArt]

still love your website, Icarus, pure awesomeness!!!!

[Swampy]

Aftosa, I think it was.

[HDGlassArt]

thank you so very much, your great!!!!!

[Swampy]

Weclome.

[Kinnickinnic]

Here are a few of my first try's at humming bird feeders, biggest hollow pieces I've made after three full weeks on the torch.. I know, my loops suck, I'm working on fixing that.. All CC is welcome though, advice too.. Thanks for looking. Sorry about the sideways pics, I sent them to my email from my Iphone, and when I uploaded them they were sideways, not sure what to do about that..

[hashmasta-kut]

a glass on glass humming bird feeder would be nice.

good idea, i'm on it, thanks.

[jesse dog]

44559

I'll get some live action shot here in the next day or two

[jesse dog]

44577

[Chad S]

Now those right there are some nice hummingbird feeders. Job well done Jesse!

[hashmasta-kut]

ya, damn, mine is pretty lame in comparison, good thing i already got it wrapped up and forgot to take pics. i am definitely going to make one like those above, those are the first in the thread i like the design of, and i like it a lot, great job :)

[jesse dog]

Thanks Twist. they don't drip, the birds can perch, and being boro you can steam the cooties out every week or so. hummingbirds need clean food. hb feeders got me into blowing glass 20 years ago: the one shown is chapter 3.

[Sparkey]

I'd love to see a closer pic of this, particularly the perch. Thank you for sharing!


44577

[Sparkey]

I'd love to see a closer pic of this, particularly the perch. Thank you for sharing!


44577

[jesse dog]

The base slides into 31.7x4 tubing

44611

On its own

44612

the plastic operative. as long as you're using 1 1/4 hvy wall, and the whole thing hangs straight, that plastic piece will do its job without leaking or drooling all over the place. btw, that design/idea came to me one night when I was in the liquor store eyeballing the pour spouts

44613

[Chad S]

Very creative Jesse, thanks for sharing those close ups. I REALLY like your style of hummingbird feeder! So natural looking, the way it should be.

[Sparkey]

Thank you Jesse!!!!

[Action Glass]

I finally got an action shot! Made this a month ago for mothers day. No little red nipple, I figured I could do the same with glass. The only plastic is the cork.
49782

[LowTideGlass]

Nice pic!

Cool design too.

What did you use for the tip where the hummingbird feeds from?

[Action Glass]

I pulled it to a point with a blow tube at the end with the cork. Blew a hole at the tip of the point just big enough for a pipe cleaner. Then added flower.

[Action Glass]

Its pretty much just one big vaccum till you pull the cork. Holds the same as the red tip.

[LowTideGlass]

Nice. Thanks for the info.

[Action Glass]

Np. Figure I'd share something since I rarely do.

[James Sowell]

http://i.imgur.com/xsgqKF2.jpg (http://imgur.com/xsgqKF2)

here is one i made thats one of my favorites . I was bummed out when i saw there was a patent on this design ( can i patent a bong and pipe design too ) i felt like my design take it to another level in the shape but no innovation will occur on this as long as the patent keeps everyone from working on them :bangHead:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/61659662/the-kennedy-style-hummingbird-feeder-the?ref=shop_home_feat_1



i looked it up the usa patent exists.

[RyanBaker]

Double post.

[RyanBaker]

here is one i made thats one of my favorites . I was bummed out when i saw there was a patent on this design ( can i patent a bong and pipe design too ) i felt like my design take it to another level in the shape but no innovation will occur on this as long as the patent keeps everyone from working on them :bangHead:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/61659662/the-kennedy-style-hummingbird-feeder-the?ref=shop_home_feat_1



i looked it up the usa patent exists.

That will be the beginning of the end if people start trying to patent bong and pipe designs. There will ALWAYS be biters rippin off your designs in china and all over the world,guess what? Patents dont help you there. All you do is make it impossible for actual artists to be inspired by others work for fear of "copyright infringement" then everything becomes plain and boring,no one innovates, and the scene becomes a husk of what it once was.

Ill be damned if I ever see a patent on a bong
Completely goes against everything this industry stands for

[LooseSeal Baller]

i looked it up the usa patent exists.

oh god....:o: