Hummingbird Plants & Feeder Location

Hummingbird plants and hummingbird feeders must be placed first and foremost where they can be viewed and bird watching enjoyed most! This will take some consideration.

Hummingbirds picture

The location you may wish to watch the Hummingbirds from may not have some of the elements necessary to attract them to that spot. Whether that location is in your home through a window or outside on the patio, don’t be discouraged. You will be able to change things in your garden to attract them to the best viewing location with some thought and effort.

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Quick Facts on Hummingbird Feeder Placement

    1. Hummingbird feeders, initially, should be placed out in the open where they can be easily seen. After the little wild birds are using the feeder it can be moved to a more desirable location.

    2. If you want to move the feeder, do it in increments. Making sudden changes may cause the Hummingbirds to leave and go where things are more familiar.

    3. If you start the season with your feeder in a new location they may not notice it and assume you are not open for business this year.

    4. Place feeders in your Hummingbird garden close to nectar producing flowers. Flowers that are tubular and red, orange or yellow are particularly attractive to Hummingbirds. But many other colours work well too.

This will help the birds to find your feeder if this is the first year you are offering a Hummer lunch counter. But even if it is not the first year they will appreciate having hummingbird plants close by. Hummingbirds eat the bugs attracted to the plants. This will in turn provide longer viewing for you too.

Hummingbird picture

    5. Placing your hummingbird feeders near bushes to provide perching spots and protection from predators, is necessary.

Birds feel safer if they have a bush or tree which provides some cover close to a feeder. The feeder should be no further than 10 to 15 feet away from protective foliage. If there isn’t natural foliage for the birds to sit and take cover in, try one of these suggestions:

    ● Place last year’s Christmas tree nearby. (The pile can be added to each year.)

    ● Plant bushes or trees nearby.

    ● An old tree branch with small limbs stuck in the ground. Strands of artificial leaves can be wrapped around the branch to provide cover for the Hummingbirds. (This can be a temporary solution until plantings grow big enough.)

    ● Place an arbour close by.

    6. Shade is very important for a hummingbird feeder. Hummingbird plants are often very suitable for growth in shade. This provides a big bonus to the whole situation. Direct sun all day will cause the syrup solution to ferment faster. The hotter the temperatures the faster fermentation will take place and the more often the Hummingbird feeder will need cleaning. The presence of lots of hummingbird plants will help to cool the area as well.

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When to Place Your Feeder Outside

Hummingbird feeder picture A hummingbird feeder should be placed out in your garden, a week or two before the Hummingbirds return. The month will depend on where you live of course. It is always best to have them waiting and ready, even before all of your hummingbird garden is in full bloom.

The hummingbird feeder must be kept clean and filled with fresh syrup regularly. The Hummingbirds energy reserves will need to be replenished after their long journey north. As soon as they arrive they will be engaging in a battle to stake out a territory, attract a mate, and for the females start the process of building a nest and raising young.

It is also very important to leave a feeder up and full, into the autumn season. Many of the hummingbird plants they have been dining on all summer have died. Leave it out until a couple of weeks have passed, after no Hummingbirds have been observed at the feeder. They will need the energy derived from your feeders. It could be very harmful to their survival during their long journey if they have not been able to stock up. Hummingbird facts from studies show that maintaining your feeder at this time of year will not keep Hummers from flying south.

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