Where To Hang A Hummingbird Feeder: Find The Perfect Spot

To answer that question… Where you can enjoy it most.

Right?

It may seem simple enough to decide where to hang a hummingbird feeder, yeah?

But it takes some planning. Once you’ve chosen the best hummingbird feeder for your needs, you have to find the perfect spot for it.

The right hummingbird feeder placement attracts more hummers and gives your yard a more stunning aesthetic. So where to place hummingbird feeders to ensure you enjoy great views while attracting the birds?

Where To Put Hummingbird Feeders - Location Ideas

Porch Or Patio

Hanging your feeder on a covered patio or deck gives you an unobstructed view. It also allows you to monitor nectar levels with ease. Use a utility hook or a plant hanging bracket to hang your feeder with ease.

Trees

Trees are also excellent hanging spots for hummingbird feeders. If you choose to go this route, ensure the tree is out in the open and the branches are easily accessible. Hanging the feeder 5 feet off the ground will ensure squirrels and other predators cannot reach the reservoir.

In case you don't know how to hang your hummingbird feeder on the trees, some hangers come with a hook, but if yours doesn't, it’s nothing to worry about.

Roofline

Hanging your hummingbird feeder from the roofline will not only keep the hummers safe from predators but also provide shade during hot afternoons.

Window

Thanks to innovative hummingbird window feeders, you can now watch these birds from the comfort of your home. Window feeders come with suction cups that allow you to easily attach them to your window.

I’m currently using a window feeder. I enjoy its minimalistic design that doesn’t distract from the beauty of the birds.

Bird Feeder Pole

Also commonly known as a shepherd’s hook, a bird feeder pole is a great way to hang your feeder in an open yard. Bird feeder poles are a good option if you are a beginner and need to move the feeder around to find the right spot.

When moving the feeders, remember to do it in increments. Moving the feeder to a different location suddenly will disorient already familiar birds which may cause them to abandon the site.

Pro-Tip

This helped me when I was bugged with the question, “where to hang hummingbird feeders?” in the past. So I did my homework and learned. 😉

I’ve often found that hanging my hummingbird feeders next to red, orange, and yellow flowers works well in attracting the hummers.

Tips For Effective Hummingbird Feeder Placement

Once you’ve decided when to put out your hummingbird feeders, planning goes a long way. It takes more than just filling the feeders with nectar and hanging them off a branch. You have to carefully choose the right spot.

So if you’re wondering, “Why won’t the hummingbirds come to my feeder? I’ve chosen all the right spots.” You may have chosen the best place to hang your feeder but forgot to consider the following factors:

Visibility

How do hummingbirds find feeders?

By seeing them.

The hummers can’t visit your feeders if they can’t see them. You need to hang your feeders somewhere with clear visibility for both you and the hummers.

I find that hanging the feeders somewhere with dappled sunlight helps the birds spot them quickly.

The sparkling reflection of the feeders also makes it easy for family and friends to find them so they can enjoy your feathered visitors.

Distance From Your Viewing Point

Hummers are tiny, delicate birds, usually no more than three or four inches long. If you enjoy viewing these birds in detail, consider hanging the feeders a short distance from your viewing point. This allows you to see the birds clearly as you enjoy the gentle humming of their wings.

Shade

Sunlight may make your feeders more visible, but direct sunlight makes nectar go bad quickly. Ensure you position your hummingbird feeders in places where they can be shielded from the hot afternoon sun.

Space

It’s not uncommon to find hummers hovering as they feed. The best place for your hummingbird feeders will have enough space for the birds to maneuver. I would recommend you go for open spots with nearby coverage and avoid dense brushes.

A common question posed by newbies is, “Can you put a hummingbird feeder next to a bird feeder for different birds?” Hummingbirds are shy birds and often get intimidated by larger birds. I recommend spacing the feeders between 15-20 feet apart.

Convenience

If you’ve done a good job of attracting your feathery visitors, you will also need to clean and refill the feeders frequently. Hanging your feeders too high will make it difficult to take them down. Placing them too deep in the brush will also create an accessibility problem.

A convenient location is easy to reach. Think of spots that offer ease of access for both you and the hummers.

Get the best result from positioning your large and small hummingbird feeders by watching this:

Perches

Hummers feed throughout the day. However, they also spend a lot of time resting in between feedings. The ideal place to hang your feeders should have perches nearby where they can get some much-needed rest.

Leaks

During a feeding frenzy, hummers might tip the feeder causing leaks and spills. Place your feeders away from play areas and pathways.

Remember:

Nectar attracts ants, bees, and other insects as well, so place the feeders away from sensitive areas.

You can also use a moat to deter ants from invading the reservoir. I recommend hanging the feeder away from particularly breezy sections to reduce spillage. Ensure you quickly clean up any spills on the deck, patio, or walkways.

To Sum It Up

With this guide, you can find the perfect spot to hang your hummingbird feeder. Keep in mind the more feeders you have, the more hummers you attract. So, invest in a few hummingbird feeders and hang them in all the recommended spots to enjoy these birds year-round.

And once you've done all that, let me know how effectively they turned out—in the comments section!

Happy hummer watching!