Do Hummingbirds prefer feeders with perches
Rather than worrying about if hummingbirds prefer one type of feeder other another, just remember hummers are fully capable of using a feeder with no perch attached.
Hummingbirds do not prefer a feeder with perches, as their ability to hover is how hummers actually feed in the wild, with no perch in sight. Perches can aid hummers in a way, especially with wind - but perches are not needed so can be left off. Other bird species benefit with a perch, so leave it on to invite others.
What is your personal preference to how hummers feed off your feeders; if you are amazed by their hovering technique, then discourage landing by not using perches on the hummingbird feeder.
To use perches hummers would normally be seen landing to feed, thus you'd miss out on this amazing sight in your yard.
Let me say hummers prefer to feed in-flight, with their hovering ability mimicking how they behave in the wild - with no hard plastic perches in sight, where they would become more of a nuisance if your hummingbird location is all wrong.
Don't get me wrong, hummingbirds can happily go without a perch, and in fact when the time is right, would benefit with no perches.
With busy hummingbird feeders you can discourage hummers hogging the port wells, as hummers are forced to taking-turns - rather than linger for too long.
Regular bird feeders don't need a perch, but unlike other bird species, hummers are unable to cling onto a feeder at an angle, so a perch would be needed when its busy.
Hummers converge on hummingbird feeder while making full use of the perches, without the perch placements, feeding off this tiny feeder could be difficult with so many hummers.
Less busy backyards with hummingbirds won't have to worry about this, but that is not to say a perch can be more in the way, if you've created a tight spot for them to feed in.
Hummingbirds have to rest once in a while, so can do if there's a hummingbird feeder with a perch - only perches can attract other bird species.
Not a nuisance or dangerous birds I might add, but the most common backyard birds can feed off a hummer feeder - thus are likely to be part of the landscape going forward.
To reserve the hummingbird feeder for, well, hummers; be sure to use a feeder without a perch, as other species would be unable to feed if they can't land.
No perch requirement
To hang an hummingbird feeder without one or a number of perches fixed near to the port wells wouldn't trouble feeding hummingbirds at all.
Feeders come in all different types, those with perches or without - for no perch to be included in the design doesn't restrict hummingbirds when they feed.
As it happens, with no hummingbird feeder perch present, hummers may find it more easier to feed at the port wells; where perches can limit their hovering, with poorly fitted perches only restricting their flight pattern as they feed.
Not a common sight I might add, but no perch present certainly can have its benefits.
Hummingbirds don't prefer a feeder with or without a perch in fact, so would happily take to one feeder or the other.
If two hummingbird feeders were setup side-by-side in your yard - one with and one without perches - its possible hummingbirds would prefer the most accessible, less busy feeder, with the best quality nectar.
Perches can aid hummingbirds
While hummingbirds can benefit with no perch limiting their personal feeding behavior, hummingbird feeders can benefit with perches attached.
Where hummingbird feeders are sure to benefit with perches is that they act as an aid.
How that works is the perch, whatever design it may be in - can allow the hummers to reserve energy, so they only take flight when they have it.
Hummingbirds use up a lot of energy, so you could see hummingbirds not using the feeder at all; instead only resting on the perch rather than feeding on the available nectar - which is quite extraordinary if you think about it, not taking advantage of food.
Perches on a single bird feeder in the yard won't disrupt feeding hummers, but hummingbird feeders near to others can cause the perch to be more of a nuisance.
That is when the hummingbirds are unable to perch like they are suppose to on a particular feeder, as the perch is too near to another - or indeed bumping to a near identical hummingbird feeder - or a regular bird feeder setup too close next to it.
Hummingbird feeders made with a perch are going to be just as useful with a feeder without - as hummingbirds can simply hover to feed, just as they do in nature.
Needed more in windy conditions
How hummingbirds prefer to feed in the wild is hover, as a landing area is usually not near by when they feed off blooming, tubular nectar flowers.
Presence of a perch on a feeder, while useful to hummers, a perch is not needed on their feeder to feed.
That's not to say hummingbirds can benefit with a perch when the weather conditions make feeding off a small feeding well opening, just that little more difficult.
Little gust can be an issue with a hanging hummingbird feeder, thus its seen to swing or spin in the wind.
I would advise you to stabilize your hummingbird feeder by strapping it up in which case, but here is where perches come in useful.
Hummers will find it hard to feed in the wind, so a perch can be used to land as they feed at the same time. Hummers won't land in strong conditions, but they will just when the feeder is not quite stable enough for them.
To continue to feed hummers in poor conditions would deter them in the long run, so you can revert to a tabletop hummingbird feeder, or indeed one that is mounted.
Instability, equals landing
Hummers are quite timid birds but incredible to watch at the feeders, but an unstable hummingbird feeder can dampen expectations.
Hummingbirds, as mentioned, are unlikely to land on any bird feeder that moves.
You can fix this by mounting it to a post or railing, strapping on rope to stop it spinning, or simply place the hummingbird feeder on a table or flat surface.
Because a hummingbird feeder is always seen to move, that is not to say you should allow hummers to overcome this issue by themselves, as they probably won't.
Hummers are unlikely to use a moving feeder, thus preferring to move on to feed in the wild - or seek out a more stable feeder in the neighborhood.
To continue to feed hummers in conditions out of your hands, then this is where a perch is going to be a lifesaver.
Windy conditions can stop birds feeding, but if they have an area to land - such as a perch beneath the port well - then of course they will take full advantage of that.
Perch can assist other species
Only hummingbirds are seen to feed at a bird feeder in hover, with other common species capable of using the same feeder, but are able to perch only.
Other birds that can use a hummingbird feeder includes Orioles, Finches, Woodpeckers, Grackles, Warblers, Titmice and many more... all off whom are not hovering birds.
To continue to feed hummers while catering to these species and more, do buy a top rated hummingbird feeder with perches included.
It can be made with individual perches or a complete surround, these birds won't mind.
Of course you may not want to feed other birds if they are going to be a nuisance, so shoot for a hummer feeder that doesn't use perches - with less surface area that other birds would perch on regardless of design.
Continue to use a 1/4 part sugar to tap water homemade nectar, while not changing the quantities of sugar or water used as it risks the hummers, and other birds health.
To summarize
Hummingbirds do not prefer a feeder with or without a perch, as they can and will happily feed off what is within their sight.
Perches can be a big help to hummers as they feed, as a way to not only feed but to give them a well needed rest at the same time.
Hummers can land on a perch and not feed out of the port wells at all, or indeed can perch on one feeder whilst defending another feeder, or the same one.
Make use of a hummingbird feeder with a perch, knowing hummers really don't mind.
Conditions that are a little windy can force hummers to perch as they feed, but a perch can be an issue within a busy with hummers, hummingbird feeder.
Perches will assist hummers but understand other bird species do use hummingbird feeders for nectar; as other birds don't hover they will use the perch to feed. If you wish to discourage other birds, don't use a perch feeder.
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