Sun or Shade? Somewhere In Between?
Hang Your Hummingbird Feeder for Best Results!

What’s This Post About?

Hummingbird feeders can be a good source of attraction for all those beautiful birds out there. You can set up stunning, colorful, and attractive feeders in your backyard to make it a place for unique birds to visit.

Once you have decided which feeder to place, the next most important question to address is, where should hummingbird feeders be placed, in the sun or shade?

Hummingbird feeders should ideally be placed in the shade. It is important to protect the feeders from the warmth of the sun which can spoil the nectar quickly. The shade can also prevent the feeder from breaking due to winds or falling off.

Should We Hang the Hummingbird Feeder in Sun or Shade?

Hanging hummingbird feeders at the right place at the right time is crucial to attract hummingbirds and avoid insects and other predators.

Hummingbirds do not look for pretty or funky feeders, they are only in search of food that satisfies their hunger. Placement is one of the most crucial factors in setting up your hummingbird feeders correctly.

If you place your feeder at a random place without putting in much thought, it may attract bees and insects more instead of birds. You should make sure that the feeder is placed correctly so that every time you look at it, you remember to re-fill or clean it.

If the feeder is not easily visible, you may forget to re-fill it when required leading to hummingbirds going elsewhere in search of food.

Pro-Tip

When you are looking for feeders to hang in your yard, make sure they are of the right size, and they are easy to clean thoroughly as you may have to clean them now and then!

It might be useful for you to consider when you should put up a hummingbird feeder and then choose what type you want.

Interesting Insider On When to Put Up and Take Down Your Hummingbird Feeders?

Do you want to know when to put up or take down your hummingbird feeders? Read ahead to learn more

What Factors Should Be Considered When Placing Your Hummingbird Feeder?

The placement of feeders is dependent on your need for convenience, visibility, distance, safety, and space!

When you consider placement, you should analyze your backyard thoroughly. Every backyard is different but the factors that need to be considered are the same.

Read through these factors and ensure that your feeder is hanged in the way which is most appropriate for hummingbirds.

1. Convenience in Refilling and Cleaning

Make sure that the feeder is hung at a place that is convenient for you to re-fill and clean. Always hang your feeders in an easily reachable place. This will make the cleaning process easier, and you can always keep track of when you need to re-fill them.

You can hang your feeders near patios, above paths, or even near the decks instead of garden beds that are hard to reach. They should not be too high that you are not able to pull them down or too low to attract other animals or creatures.

2. Viewability For Birdviewing

If one of your purpose to place the feeder is bird sighting, then you should strategically hang them in places that can provide you with a better view.

The feeders can be placed near windows, near benches, or even in an open place closer to your porch. This way you can observe the pretty birds that fly in and photograph them as well.

3. Noticeability For Birds

The feeders should be placed in areas that instantly become visible to the passing birds. Sometimes if your feeder is placed in dark places or covered by something, it may be missed by the birds.

To make sure the birds make a stop in your backyard, you should hang your feeders out in an open space. You can also place it directly under a small light so that it can be seen by birds even when they are far.

Pro-Tip

Purchase brightly colored feeders such as bright red or bright yellow as they may be easily noticeable when the shade reflects some light.

4. Security For Birds

It is wise to place your hummingbird feeders at the right distance. They should not be hung too low as they may attract other animals that can damage the feeder. If the feeders are damaged, they may bruise the birds when they visit, causing severe cuts and injuries.

If the feeder is placed near a window, make sure it is at the right distance. In case of a windy day, the feeders, if placed too close to the windows, may crash into the window glass causing it to crack.

Did You Know?

Hummingbirds can drink nectar from feeders by quickly moving their tiny tongues in and out of the feeder 13 times in a second!

5. Exposure to Shade for Wellbeing of Birds

Try to put your feeders in a shaded area. As discussed above, if the feeders are exposed to the sun for a long time, they may spoil the nectar. This spoiled nectar may create health risks for the hummingbirds.

This is why you should locate your feeders away from the sun in some shade. If you feel that the shaded areas in your backyard are not visible or convenient, you can place them under light shaded trees.

Another tip is to hang out feeders in the open during hours when sunlight is low and place them in shades during the afternoon because at that time the sun is at its peak.

6. Distance from Other Feeders

If you wish to attract many hummingbirds to your backyard then it is preferable to place more than one feeder in your backyard. This second feeder can be a source of food for the small, less dominant birds who might fear the dominant hummingbirds.

The hummingbird feeders should be placed at a distance so that there is enough space for the hummingbirds to feed, and they can also use this space to fly around and protect their feeder from other birds.

What Are Some Places Where Hummingbird Feeders Can Be Hanged?

Learn more about the useful placement ideas to hang up your hummingbird feeder!

Till now, we have discussed the factors that need to be considered while hanging a hummingbird feeder. If you are not sure where in your garden you can hang your feeders then keep reading to find out.

Here are some ideas of places where you can hang your feeder:

• A wall with a shelf.
• Wooden fence with deck hooks.
• Strong tree branch.
• A window canopy.
• A pole in your garden.
• Rain gutters.
• Gazebo or a shed.
• A covered porch.

Did You Know?

Hummingbirds have a very sharp memory. They can recall every feeder or flower that they have visited and even how long a particular flower will take to re-fill!

You can also purchase a basic hummingbird feeder from Amazon.

MEKKAPRO Outdoor Hummingbird Feeder

With its beautiful color and design, it’s easy to say it’s the best and most charming hummingbird feeder there is.

Check Price on Amazon

Keep Reading!

To summarize the answer you were looking for, hummingbird feeders should be placed in the shade. The reasons and alternatives have been discussed in the post descriptively.

Several factors need to be considered when deciding where to place your hummingbird feeders. These factors should be kept in mind while choosing the right place for your feeders for successfully attracting pretty birds to your backyard.

If you are out of ideas for places where you can hang your feeders, don’t worry! This post consists of a list of all the alternative places that may assist you in putting up your hummingbird feeder.

To find out more, you can read one of our previous posts to find out more about the best bird feeders for hummingbirds.

Best Bird Feeders for Hummingbirds: The 13 Top Rated Feeders

Are you a hummingbird lover? Make this adorable little bird visit your garden by adding one of these top-rated feeders to your backyard.

Posted in: Bird Food Feeding Birds Backyard Birds