by Anne Lisbon
Excited and abuzz, you've hung your hummingbird feeders and are full of anticipation to see your garden filled with flying jewels! But where are they? The table is set, the party is ready to start ... and no one came!
Here are 9 tips on how to place your hummingbird feeders most effectively so that you can give the birds a good meal and not attract insects! Once the little hummers notice your feeders, they will make them their home, and you will have a garden filled with curious, charming, shimmering creatures!
Tips for identifying each and every North American hummingbird!
1. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO SEE THEM
It’s great to find the perfect branch to hang your feeder - but can you see the hummingbirds from your home? The feeder should be close by and easy to see from your window or porch. They are so tiny - hardly 4 inches long! So it’s best to get as close to them as possible
2. YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE
It’s highly recommended to hang the feeders in partially sunlit areas. The redness of the feeder will beckon to them, and become an offer they can’t refuse. But make sure they are not directly in the sun and are shaded during the hottest hours of the day, as the heat can spoil the nectar.
3. WINDOW FEEDERS.
Here at Nature Anywhere, we have found that the most effective way to see the hummingbirds is by having a window feeder right on your window or glass door. That way you see them inches away on the other side of the glass. In time, they will get used to you and not be scared. They will learn to trust you and will stick their curious heads into your window bars or just peek with interest from your feeder.
4. ROOM TO MANEUVER
If you are hanging your feeders, make sure they are at least 10-12 feet away from the window so the hummingbirds don’t crash into the glass. You also don’t want to hang them directly over bushy areas. They need a lot of room to dance and maneuver around your feeders. Keep in mind: being next to, rather than over a bushy area is the perfect location. When predators come along, the little hummers can quickly find sanctuary in the greenery.
How to convince hummingbirds to nest in your garden?
5. HUMMINGBIRD RIVALRY
Hummingbirds can be very competitive, especially around feeders. When hungry, they can be aggressive around other birds, including their own kind. It is best to have a few hummingbird feeders spread around your garden so there’s something for everyone, and all can co-exist in peace while getting a piece of the pie.
6. AVOID LEAKS
When the hummingbird feeder leaks, bees and ants will soon follow. To avoid this happening, hang the feeders as far as possible from windy areas, spaces where kids play or near anything that can topple the feeder over.
7. HUMMER IN RED
Make sure the feeders are red. Yellow ports attract bees, while white or red ports on red feeders attract hummingbirds. Even putting a red scarf on your porch or garden can lure hummingbirds to your area . So the redder the better.
8. DON’T MAKE LIFE HARD ON YOURSELF
When hanging your feeder, make sure it is easy to reach. The feeders must be cleaned and the nectar should be refreshed often. So don’t hang them too high or too deep in the bushes. Keep them close and handy so they can be easily accessed at cleaning time.
9. THE FLOWER BONUS
In a garden with plenty of (preferably tubular) flowers, hummingbirds get double the benefit - nectar both from the feeders and the flowers. An added bonus comes from the insects the flowers attract which supply a healthy amount of protein for the hummingbirds.
Which flowers attract hummingbirds to your garden?
Bottom line:
Place your feeder on or close by your window. Nothing like watching a curious hummingbird while he looks into your house and watches you! Hummingbirds can stay for quite a while - enjoy their company. In addition, once they find your hummingbird feeder, they will come back each season.
- Hang the feeders 10-12 feet away from bushes or near a sheltered area which the hummers can zip into when danger is afoot.
- Hang them from a gazebo or deck railing if they are sheltered from the heat and are easy to spot from your home.
Once you have established your hummingbird feeder location, it shouldn't be long until the little ones make it their home and become an inseparable part of your garden. And when the hummingbirds move in, it’s oodles of fun to watch them while sipping your coffee or enjoying time with your family.
Happy shimmering!
