Hobbies And Interests
Visibility
Select an area that is visible from a window or from a seating area in your yard or patio. Watching hummingbirds provides hours of enjoyment and is especially peaceful on cool summer evenings. Placing a feeder near a bedroom window allows the disabled or bedridden the opportunity to watch hummingbirds from the comfort of their own room.
Shelter
Hang feeders in a sheltered area. Hummingbirds expend tremendous amounts of energy as they zoom through the air. They need an area to rest after bouts of activity and appreciate nearby trees or shrubs for a rest stop.
Sunlight
Display feeders in an area that is out of direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day. Morning or evening sun is fine, but direct afternoon sun heats the sugar and water solution quickly and may make the nectar too hot for birds to consume. Shaded areas prevent overheating, provide weary birds with a cool drink and help to curtail the growth of mold.
Protection From Predators
Choose a spot that is out of the reach of predators. Small tress and shrubs make it easy for hummingbirds to escape predators at a moment's notice and provide an area for these energetic birds to rest. Household cats can quickly leap and snatch a hummingbird in midair. Hawks and other predatory birds can swoop in quickly if feeders are placed in open areas. Snakes can easily crawl up posts or stumps if feeders are close to the ground or amongst vines. Keep the risk of injury or death by predators low by considering the types of predators in your area and eliminating their access to the feeder.
Multiple Feeders
Consider hanging several feeders 10 to 15 feet apart to attract more hummingbirds. These birds are extremely territorial and will aggressively defend a feeder against other hummingbirds. Providing several feeders decreases fighting and provides plenty of room for several birds to feed at once.