Where Not to Hang Your Hummingbird Feeder

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Most of us enjoy seeing the hummingbird in our yards. Many set up a feeder somewhere in the yard to be sure the bird will make an appearance. But there are some areas that aren't good for a feeder. Here is the list: * Right up again the house. It is not safe. A hummingbird needs room to see around the area and be sure it is safe. Up against the house, they cannot do that. It is also not the best viewing choice if you want to watch them. Make sure it is not right in a window either. * In the sunlight. The sun can ferment the nectar and make it bad for the hummingbird. Set up where it gets shade during the peak daylight hours. This shade will also allow the bird to cool down and recuperate. * Near your clothesline. This is not a good chose. Hummingbirds can be fierce and they are territorial toward other hummingbirds. If you are out hanging clothes the bird is not apt to choose this time to eat and it could scare them away completely. You don't want them to attack you. * Around flowers or foliage. This may seem like a good spot to place the feeder but the bird needs to be able to zip around the feeder and find the best approach. Allow about a foot between the feeder and surrounding plant life. * In a wide open spot. Putting the feed out in the middle of the yard is not good. This can make the hummingbird a prime target for other birds or cats. Set it under the limbs of a tree or other protection. If it is out away from coverage strong winds could damage it and if there is a heavy rain that could dilute it and make it unappealing. * Other ideas. Don't place it too high in a tree or near other bird feeders. Near gutters could cause overspill to damage the feeder. Be sure not to place it near roads or alleys or where ants or wasps are a problem. Do not place it near your outdoor grill or in the path of the sprinkler. Be careful it is not set near where pesticides are used also. The picture is from my collection.