Can Hummingbird feeders be hung low
Personal circumstances can assure a hummingbird feeder can be hung low, although there's no position safer than a minimum of 6 to 7 feet off the ground.
While a hung low hummingbird feeder is possible, its worth remember a higher up position remains the safest location. Reasons to hang a feeder low to the ground can be to avoid too much sun or there's no pests or predators in the yard. Aim for 5-6 feet off the ground while the lowest can be 4 feet maximum.
Reason why you can hang a hummingbird feeder as far as a foot to the ground is if you are constantly in view of the feeder to keep an eye on the hummingbirds well being.
To not observe hummers as they come and go to a hung low hummingbird feeder as it hangs outdoors - then a 5-6 feet of the ground is essential.
I can assure hummingbird feeders are safe although that can depend on you hanging it up to within reach of all kinds of trouble.
I would say to hang a hummingbird feeder low down to the ground would be in a yard that is quiet, left undisturbed by wildlife, people with no pets in the yard.
Where to hang a hummingbird feeder will mostly be on a bird feeder pole; of which the usual default hanging height is anywhere between 4-5 feet from tip of hummingbird feeder to the ground below.
Believe it or not this carefully refined height of any commercially available bird feeding station pole is not guaranteed to keep hummers safe.
This can only depend on you and the environment in your yard. No activity by predators, pets like nusiance cats or common bird feeder pests would see a hummingbird feeder go undisturbed. And that matters because the only thing you should care about is the hummingbirds safety.
How you hang a hummingbird feeder by default is with assurance of safety; only do so if you believe you can hang a feeder low down with no issues, than go ahead.
Low hanging feeder unsafe
Whilst it really can depend on your personal circumstances, you'd have to assume a low hanging hummingbird feeder is unsafe at all times.
How high to hang a hummingbird feeder can be anywhere between 5 to 6 feet, and even with this recommendation it may still not be safe, as it can only depend on your backyard environment... with what or who visits your yard.
Let's say you are hanging a hummingbird feeder off a bird feeder pole, of which there's a distance between 3 to 4 feet off the ground - while at this height you won't be able to keep a squirrel off your hummingbird feeder or any late night visitors.
Up to three or four feet is within reach of wild animals who are trying to reach the nectar they can smell, whereby the nectar in feeders can be within reach of pets.
What you must do then is rely on your personal situation only, if you have no pets than great, and if you can be sure of no backyard predators or pests in the day or at night then even better.
Hummingbird feeders can by hung low in your yard but only if there's no possible chance animals, pets or even children come into contact with the feeder.
Its worth remembering, a hummingbird feeder doesn't have to hang at all, in fact if you are prepared to keep an eye on proceedings while making sure the feeder remains unmolested - there's a chance to put the hummingbird feeder on a table within the yard.
Hummingbird feeder is safer higher up
What applies to most of you with the best way to hang a hummingbird feeder, is at a 5 to 6 feet minimum height off the ground, for all circumstances.
Minimum height is measured at the tip - or the bottom - of the hummingbird feeder to the ground, thus we can guarantee the 5-6 feet distance.
Even so, I will still aim for a 6-7 feet off the ground as it can guaranteed nothing can reach or touch the hummingbird feeder that high up.
Low hanging hummingbird feeders do have an advantage compared to a higher up position mind you; while hummingbird feeders can be hung in the sun, to hang the feeder lower to the ground may be needed to hide the feeder in more shade than sun.
With that, it is possible a higher position still remains the safest, and therefore the best place to hang a hummingbird feeder in any yard within North America.
Hummingbirds come to rely on a hummingbird feeder that is either hanging off a bird feeder pole or bracket, thus a too high up position may even go unnoticed by some hummers, as they pass below.
Too low down position then hummers can still miss it as they tend to seek out feeders at a certain height within a yard.
If you must hang it low make sure its in a clearing so it remains visible, while a higher location can continue to be the safest option if it can be seen at all times.
Minimum 4 feet off ground
I would say the safest distance off the ground at the very lowest a hummingbird feeder can be hung, is at a minimum of 4 feet off the ground.
Why four feet, well this is high enough to keep most young children who don't know better well out of reach, while remaining out of reach of smaller dogs and cats.
Bear in mind 4 feet is still quite low to the ground so can be reached by larger dogs, or even squirrels who can jump this high up.
As previously mentioned, I did say a hummingbird feeder can be placed on an outdoor table top, and so to a porch railing or garden furniture. Of course then can a hummingbird feeder hang this low, or lower - it just really depends on your circumstances.
To hang a hummingbird feeder on a tree branch that is visible to hummers still, then the lowest branch may have to be used, forcing the feeder to be way below 4 feet.
Not a problem if the feeder remains untouched by people, pets and wildlife, yet any contact by any of these should tell you the hummingbird feeder is hanging too low.
One more thing, a hung too low hummingbird feeder risks brushing on natural vegetation within the yard; thus it would be impossible to keep ants off the hummingbird feeder or any insects - as they would simply climb up shrubs to reach the nectar on the feeder.
I would also you to utilize a hummingbird feeder with a built in ant moat, as a way to stop ants getting into the nectar where they could spread pathogens - or perhaps where ants will block up the nectar port wells with their dead bodies. Bees can fly in thus its vital your particular hummingbird feeder has be guards included.
When hung too low is allowed
You can hang a hummingbird feeder low as you like if the environment in your yard allows such a feeder to be so exposed.
Look, I'd admit it while I advise against hanging a hummingbird feeder too low, it can be possible for anyone of you to hang this way, providing you keep an eye on the feeder.
If you cannot keep an eye on what's going on as the feeder is being used throughout the day, then hang it up higher; similarly, if it cannot remain safe overnight then bring the hummingbird feeder indoors.
When you can hang a hummingbird feeder up to 2-3 feet off the ground, then you may want to in an effort to avoid too much sun.
How to make shade for a hummingbird feeder may be a lower down position to keep it in shade while avoiding direct sunshine for as long as you can. Hummers do like to feed in the sun, thus a little sun won't spoil the nectar if its mild.
With that hummingbird feeder food can last far longer if hanging in shade for as long as possible - and if that means a feeder hung low then so be it.
Another reason to hang a hummingbird feeder so low is if you don't have an appropriate bracket or branch in the yard to hang it higher. If this applies to you make do with a lower position for now, with an option to hang the feeder higher up later.
Conclusion
You can hang a hummingbird feeder low too the ground if your circumstances allow it, with no children, pets or wildlife able to reach it or touch it at all.
Low hanging hummingbird feeders for the most part is unsafe, not so much for you or the family - but it can bring hummingbirds within reach of predators.
And this is why we hang our bird feeders up to 5-6 feet off the ground, as it gives birds a better vantage point - while giving hummers time to escape approaching animals.
Hummingbird feeders are always going to be safer when hung high up off the ground.
Hang it preferably up to 7 feet or more, with little trouble if it must hang about 5 to 6 feet. Not always mind you as a higher up position than this could be needed to keep squirrels or raccoon's off the feeder - as well as bears who can raid a hummingbird feeder.
Minimum four feet off the ground would apply to many people including you, although circumstances may force you to add an additional foot or two.
When to hang a hummingbird feeder low down to the ground can be when no predators or pests occupy your yard. Similarly, pets are seen to not disturb the hummingbird feeder nor kids let out to play in the yard.
Hummingbird feeders can absolutely be hung low if it means avoiding direct sunshine when a lower position guarantees more shade. Meanwhile you'd still have to remain cautious with the animals wishing to do harm to hummingbirds.
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