You want to hang your hummingbird feeder somewhere that attracts plenty of hummingbirds. It should be noticeable and convenient for the birds and far away from other bird feeders. You also want to make it as private as possible for them.
Not placing the feeder correctly could cause it to attract more bugs than birds, among other issues.
As long as you take the time to consider where you want to hang your bird feeder, you’re sure to see plenty of the tiny birds!
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Where Should I Hang a Hummingbird Feeder?
Everyone’s yard is different, so you’ll want to make sure you consider where a feeder would do the best in yours.
Placing it in a noticeable and safe location will draw in many hummingbirds. However, they’ll ignore it if you don’t put it in the right spot.
You need to make sure the feeder isn’t where it can get knocked over or attract bugs. Ants can climb into the feeder, ruining it for the hummingbirds! Plus, spilled sugar water is sure to attract bees.
When hanging your hummingbird feeder, you should consider these factors:
Where Is the Hummingbird Feeder Most Noticeable?
First, think about where the hummingbird feeder would be the most noticeable in your yard.
Hummingbirds have incredible eyesight and can spot bright colors from far away, but they still won’t see your feeder if a bush or a wall blocks it.
Try to keep it out in the open, at least 15 feet away from your home, walls, fences, and dense bushes. Doing so makes it easier for the birds to spot the feeder.
You should also make the feeder more noticeable by using a lot of red. Hummingbirds love bright colors and will notice red more than other colors. Using a red bird feeder makes it easier for them to see.
To make the feeder even more noticeable for the birds, you can place red items around the feeder. Many people hang red ribbons from the feeder or place them next to red flowers.
Where is the Feeder Safe For the Birds?
You’ll also want to place the feeder somewhere that’s safe for the birds to eat from.
That means keeping it away from cats and other predators. Hanging it at least 10 feet from the ground will make the hummingbirds feel safer.
Hummingbirds also don’t feel safe around other birds and will avoid them. That means, if you have seed birds feeders in your yard, it’s best to place them far from your nectar feeders.
Many people give them at least 10 feet of space and place them around different sides of a building.
Lastly, don’t place the bird feeder too close to your home. The birds can accidentally collide with the window, which could be fatal for them!
Keep them more than 15 feet or less than five feet away from any glass to keep these birds safe.
Do You Have a Shady Location?
The nectar in your feeder can go bad when it’s out in the sun all day, especially during the hotter months.
Place the hummingbird feeder somewhere it won’t be out in the sun during the afternoon, which is when it’s the hottest outside.
Keeping it under a tree provides dappled shade, as well as a place for the birds to retreat to when they don’t feel safe.
Keeping the feeder in the shade also gives it more protection from the rain and wind so that it doesn’t tip over.
What Are the Best Places For Hummingbird Feeders?
The best places for the hummingbird feeder are within 10 to 12 feet of cover for the hummingbirds. These should include trees, bushes, and other perches.
You also want to place the feeder somewhere that it’s easy for you to see the birds. You can set the feeder near a window, as long as you place decals on the window, so the birds don’t fly into it.
You can hang the feeder from a gazebo, gutter, or anywhere with an overhang. These structures provide the feeder with shade when the sun is at the highest point in the sky.
Lastly, many people connect their feeders to their deck or porch railings using a deck hanger.
This option is convenient for many people since it’s easier to reach the feeder to refill the nectar. Plus, you can observe the birds right from your deck.
Build a Hummingbird Garden
The best places for hummingbirds are near gardens. The flowers attract the birds, who then stay when they discover the nectar. There is also plenty of places to hide, nest, and find small insects to eat.
You can use a shepherd’s hook to keep the feeder suspended above the ground. You can also build your own feeder pole if you like doing DIY projects.
If you want to make the best space for the birds, then consider starting a hummingbird garden.
These gardens contain:
- Nectar rich flowers with bright petals
- A water source
- Nearby trees for shelter and nesting
- Multiple spaced out nectar feeders
When planning your garden, you’ll want to ensure that you have nectar-rich flowers that attract hummingbirds. These are all of the top plants you’ll want to grow:
- Cardinal flower
- Bleeding heart
- Trumpet creeper
- Red and white petunias
Having a diverse flower garden will make your yard much more attractive to hummingbirds. Keeping your hummingbird feeders close by is the best location to keep them!
You’re sure to see plenty of hummingbirds zooming around your yard if you start a garden with them in mind.
Why is Hummingbird Feeder Placement Important?
It would help if you placed your feeder well. Otherwise, the hummingbirds won’t be able to find it.
Even moving the feeder a few feet can make a drastic difference in how many hummingbirds visit your yard.
Most places are good enough if you don’t have a hummingbird feeder in your yard yet. The birds will remember where it is and return to it wherever they’re feeling hungry.
Keeping it out of reach of predators and near places for the birds to hide also keeps them safe.
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