Last Updated on January 16, 2022 by Guillermina
If you are interested in hummingbirds, you should know how high a hummingbird feeder should be so as to attract hummingbirds. Hanging the feeders too high or too low or in an inappropriate may make it difficult for you to attract hummingbirds.
When you know where and how high or low a hummingbird feeder should be placed, you can easily attract the birds.
Placing the feeders properly allows you to view the birds from a distance. This can also help to keep cats and other predators away. Also, since the feeders must be attended to from time to time, doing this properly allows you easy access to the feeders.
This article is a guide on how high you should place your hummingbird feeders. Also, tips are given on some factors to put into consideration when placing your hummingbird feeders. Now let’s delve into how high should a hummingbird feeder be ideally.
How High To Hang Hummingbird Feeders?
It’s important you know the appropriate height of the hummingbird feeder. A hummingbird feeder just like a regular bird feeder should be hung about 5 feet from the ground.
When you are thinking of a strategic place to position the feeders, ensure that you keep tall trees and windows far away. This is to ensure the safety of the birds when they are feeding.
When you position your hummingbirds at this height, it allows for easy change of the sugar-water solution. Also, this allows you to easily clean the feeders when the need arises. This height also coincides with the heights of standard windows, allowing you a good view of the birds.
Where you wish the feeders to be completely safe from danger of any kind, it is recommended that the feeders are hung a bit higher. Up to about 6 feet appears to be the safest location. Where the hummingbird feeders are low, it becomes accessible to predators.
Also, you should ensure that there is no foliage underneath the feeders. This is because they are likely to encourage disturbing guests like mice, cats, or squirrels that may want to feed on the feeders.
Where you wish to hang multiple hummingbird feeders, ensure to locate them at least 10 to 12 feet apart. This will allow for the small and timid hummingbirds to feed without unnecessary disturbance from the aggressive ones.
Should I hang My Hummingbird Feeder High Or Low?
You may be wondering whether there really is a need to hang hummingbird feeders high or low. There are advantages of hanging the feeders high as well as low.
When the feeders are hung low, it becomes more convenient for us to change the sugar-water solution, as well as clean the feeders. Also, a low feeder sometimes may mean we have a better view of the feeders.
Such feeders that are hung low are however not in the best interest of hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are very timid and like some quiet and peace when they are feeding. They are not likely to get this from low feeders. Also, they are exposed more to pests and predators when feeders are low.
Where the hummingbird feeders are however hung high, the birds are free from the problems associated with pests, predators, and unnecessary noise. They will be more likely interested in visiting the feeders.
Best Ways To Hang A Hummingbird Feeder
Since you now know how high you should hang a hummingbird feeder, you may be in wonder about the ways to place these feeders. Generally speaking, the height of a hummingbird feeder usually determines how the feeder will be hanged.
The following are a few ways to hang the feeders:
·Bird Feeder Pole
This is one of the common ways of hanging a hummingbird feeder you may adopt. The use of a bird feeder pole or a shepherd hook allows for ease in hanging a hummingbird feeder. With the use of this, the height of the feeders becomes easily adjustable.
·A tree Branch
This is another way of hanging the hummingbird feeders. Where a tree is being used, select a tree that is out in the open with out-stretched branches. All you need to do is to wrap a piece of twine, string, or wire around the branch to hang the feeder.
·On a Porch, Deck, or Patio
This is one of the very convenient ways of hanging a hummingbird feeder. Where you have a covered porch, deck, or patio, you can easily use a screw to hang your feeder from the porch, deck, or patio.
·From Rain Gutters
Another option open to you is to hang the feeders from rain gutters. You can do this by bending a stiff metal coat hanger in a way that allows feeders to hang from the gutters. Light-weight feeders should be used when using this method to protect the gutters.
Read more about How Often Should You Change Hummingbird Water?
Tips On Hanging A Hummingbird Feeder
Here are a few things you must put into consideration when hanging a hummingbird feeder.
- Hang Feeders in your flower garden
This is one of the most effective ways of attracting hummingbirds to your feeders. The birds will get attracted to the feeders when they are around the garden sucking on nectars.
- Use a location that you can easily access from inside your home
One of the primary reasons why we hang hummingbird feeders is to attract these birds around our gardens so we can watch them. So, ensure you place the feeders at a spot you can easily see from inside.
- Feeders should be situated in a shady location
Where the feeders are exposed to direct feeders all day, the sugar-water solution spoils very easily. So, ensure that your feeders are placed in a place where it is not exposed to direct sunlight all day long.
- Place Feeders out in the Open
Hummingbirds generally require a lot of space to maneuver and fly around the feeder. They also need space to dart about the feeder and nectars around. So ensure to get a spot that’s a bit out in the open for the birds.
Conclusion: How High Should A Hummingbird Feeder Be
As you have seen above, the height of your hummingbird feeder is really important and we have discussed this.
The above tips should also be taken into close consideration when you are thinking of the ideal spot to locate the feeders. By doing the above, you are sure to attract lots of hummingbirds to your feeders.
Eunice is a passionate lover of hummingbirds and all things nature. She loves to observe and study the tiny birds, learning about their unique behaviors and unique features. She has written a number of articles about hummingbirds and their habitats, which have been featured in a variety of publications. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting hummingbird sanctuaries and going on bird–watching trips in her local area. She also volunteers with local wildlife rescue organizations, helping to rehabilitate injured birds. When she’s not outdoors, Eunice can be found writing articles, creating bird–inspired art, and playing the flute.