The 4 Best Places to Hang a Hummingbird Feeder (With Tips)

Last Updated on Jan 23 2023

To be honest, we feel like bird feeders are the greatest invention since sliced bread. They have certainly added value to our lives, seeing as they guarantee an entertaining way to connect with nature.

And the birds love them as well. They’ve figured out that these feeders are a supplement to their natural food sources, and not there to harm them. So, whenever they see a feeder hanging around, they’ll hopefully change their trajectory, and pay the feeder a visit! 

If you’re an avid birder and you’d love to attract the hummingbird, you should start thinking about installing a hummingbird feeder. But don’t just install it anywhere—you have to find the perfect location.

The 4 Best Locations for a Hummingbird Feeder

We’ll be the first to admit that sometimes it’s all about trusting your instincts when it comes to these things. Of course, there are a few considerations to take into account, but you have to understand that properties have different landscapes. What works for your neighbor might not work for you. But in general, these are the spots that we think will attract more hummers:

1. Attached to a deck railing

There are specialized hangers that have been designed for this. Most even come with instructions that explain how you can attach the unit to the deck to ensure it doesn’t drop. They are essentially like an extendable arm.

2. An overhead gutter

The gutter will act as a shade that protects the food from direct sunlight while ensuring it gets the cool air needed to keep it fresh. Just don’t tuck it into the gutter because then the birds won’t be able to spot it!

3. Windows with decals

Decals are stickers usually used to decorate different surfaces. We sometimes place them on windows just to let the birds know there’s an invisible surface ahead. If you’d like to wake up in the morning and watch your birds feed, install the feeder next to a window that has decals.

4. Flowerbeds

It’s no secret that hummingbirds love nectar. They’ll eat nectar every minute of every day if they have to. This means that as long as you have nectar in your yard, they’ll pay you a visit. Just go get a freestanding arbor from a nearby store and use it to support your flowerbed feeder.

Tips on Best Place To Put a Hummingbird Feeder

Closer to perches

Even though hummers love to visit the same feeders a few times a day, they often spend a significant amount of their time resting on perches nearby.

So while installing the feeder, think about places that have perches conveniently located nearby. And there should be a clear line of sight between the feeder and the perch. 

Low traffic areas

Placing the feeders in areas that have high traffic is not a good idea. Someone could inadvertently bump it, or pets could tip them over. Once that happens, they’ll start leaking. And that leak will signal the beginning of pests and insects showing up out of nowhere.

Away from other species

Hummingbirds typically avoid sharing their food. They are territorial creatures, and can even be aggressive at times. If you thought one feeder would be enough to cater to all the birds flying by, think again. They’ll gang up on any bird that tries to intrude and fight until one of them throws in the towel.

The solution to reducing this territorial behavior is to install multiple feeders—we’re talking about four feeders or more.

Related Read: The 10 Best Places to Hang a Bird Feeder (With Tips)

Away from predators, pests, and insects

There is also the problem of pests and insects. The wrong placement could expose the feeder to these pesky animals, and that’s not good. They’ll either eat everything left for the hummers or be the reason why the nectar keeps going bad before the birds get the chance to have their fill.

You might find yourself dealing with predators if you install the feeder in the wrong location. The minute your visitors realize there’s danger lurking in the shadows, they won’t see your feeder as a refueling station, but as a trap, keeping them away for good.

Easy-to-reach places

While thinking about the birds, you also have to think about yourself. Think about a place that won’t inconvenience you when it comes to cleaning and refilling the feeders. You may feel the need to place the feeder closer to the house—which is okay—but at the same time, it shouldn’t be far from the birds’ reach. And if you can, try to avoid placing your feeders in areas that are too far from a flowerbed.

Cooler areas

Sunlight is good, but too much of anything is dangerous. Yes, the light will make your feeders more visible to birds flying by, but if the heat is too much, your nectar will go bad fast. And no nectar equates to no birds.

Because the sun keeps on shifting during the day, you can position your feeders in such a way that they are protected from direct sunlight, but not hidden from the birds. It’s not as difficult as it sounds.

Spacious areas

If you’ve ever seen a hummingbird before, you’ll know they love to maneuver around things, and not fly in a straight line or over the same spot. That will be difficult if they feel like the space is crowded. So, look for a spot that’s spacious and open, away from dense bushes.

Away from obstacles

Especially obstacles that are invisible to the bird. The windows, door screens, and everything else you can think of. We understand that you want to be closer to the feeders so that you could watch them fly around and eat, but if they can’t see that window glass, they crash into it and probably die.

Visible spots

Birds will only visit feeders that they are capable of seeing. If they don’t see it, they won’t know they even exist. So install the feeders in areas that receive enough sunlight. Just enough light to make the metal shine and get the bird’s attention.

Conclusion 

Just because hummingbird feeders are designed to cater to the needs of the hummingbird doesn’t mean that they are totally different from a typical feeder. The considerations taken into account while installing normal feeders are the same ones that apply here. Moving the feeder a couple of feet away might not seem like a huge deal, but it is. Its popularity will drastically drop, and you’ll be left wondering whether all the birds migrated!

Featured Image Credit: Piqsels