If your hummingbird feeder isn’t getting much attention, the issue usually isn’t the nectar; it’s where you put it. Hanging your hummingbird feeder in the wrong spot can keep birds away or, in the worst-case scenario, do them harm.
Hummingbirds rely on sight to find food, prefer safe, sheltered areas, and are surprisingly particular about spacing. A feeder that’s too exposed, too hidden, or the wrong distance from a window can make your yard far less inviting than you think.
The good news? A few simple placement tweaks can bring dramatically more hummingbirds to your yard—sometimes within days.
Here’s what experts have to say.
Keep Feeders Separated
While you’ll occasionally see hummingbirds feeding at the same time, these birds are quite territorial. So if you notice frequent visits from more than one bird, you may want to spring for a second feeder.
“If there is a perch nearby, there’s a chance you might get one individual guarding it against other hummingbirds,” explains Chris Clark, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at the University of California. “If that happens, you can hang a second feeder somewhere that is not in line of sight from the first one, which will prevent one bird from guarding both.”
Follow the Insects
According to Clark, hummingbirds drink nectar for calories, but their main diet consists of insects, so think about where the bugs are when considering placement for your hummingbird feeder. “Hummingbirds love compost piles, which typically have lots of tiny insects, as well as areas next to streams, which also tend to harbor lots of insects.”
Liz Tidwell, a wildlife specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, adds that native plants can also go a long way toward increasing the insect population in your yard and creating an all-you-can-eat buffet for hummingbirds. “Insects will use the native plants for food and a place to lay their eggs.”
Be Sure There Are Perches Nearby
It may be tempting to locate your hummingbird feeder in the middle of the lawn, but all that wide open space can actually deter them from stopping by.
“The best place for a hummingbird feeder is near hedges, trees, or shrubs, rather than out in the open,” says Anusha Shankar, an integrative biologist and physiological ecologist who researches hummingbirds. “They like being able to quickly fly into vegetation, where they can watch before coming into the feeder, or sometimes after feeding.”
Add a Water Source
“Water is another great way to attract hummingbirds to your yard, especially during years of drought,” says Tidwell.
“Standing water is okay for hummingbirds, but they actually prefer moving water—adding a mister, dripper, or bubbling water fountain is a great option for hummingbirds. The biggest thing is to make sure that the water is shallow, because hummingbirds are not strong swimmers,” says Tidwell.
Get Out the Tape Measure
“Ideally, hummingbird feeders should be hung 20 feet from any house structure and a minimum of 4 feet off the ground,” says Tidwell. “This will decrease the number of window collisions and give the hummingbirds plenty of room to safely maneuver.”
What if you don’t have that space? Then, counterintuitively, the closer to a window, the better: 3 feet or less. Birds are less likely to be flying at high speeds at that distance from a feeder, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s All About Birds.
As for the recommended height, “Suspending feeders 4 feet off the ground will help to keep cats and other terrestrial predators from being able to easily grab hummingbirds while feeding,” says Tidwell. To avoid bees, she suggests avoiding feeders or nearby plants that boast white or yellow flowers, which are known to be attractive to bees.
Avoid These 4 Hummingbird Feeder Placement Mistakes
1. Hanging it in direct sun will cause the nectar to spoil faster in heat, especially in warmer climates.
2. Placing it at the wrong distance from the house can lead to collisions. Your feeder should be either 20 feet or more from the house or, on the other end of the spectrum, 3 feet or less from a window.
3. Hiding it deep in trees. If hummingbirds can’t easily see it, they won’t find it.
4. Putting it near predators. Areas with cats or little cover can feel unsafe.
