How low can a Hummingbird feeder be
Like most wild birds, Hummingbirds can be quite responsive to an unusual bird feeder location, and providing it remains safe, a Hummingbird feeder can be very low down.
How low can a Hummingbird be off the ground will vary, though I would suggest a minimum of 2 feet at the beginning, then adjust the height specifically to your needs over time. Needs being if the feeder is found by Hummers in a visible location, and whether or not the feeder is molested by pests.
Reasons why you'd want to hang a Hummingbird feeder low to the ground can vary, though I've found its mostly to do with a greater observation position on your part.
Similarly, Hummingbirds do take nectar out of nectar-filled flowers in the wild - which can grow between 2-3 feet tall - thus a two feet minimum distance off the ground will match that to where Hummingbirds land on, or hover at flowers when they sip on nectar in the wild.
With that, I believe you could eventually suspend or place a Hummingbird feeder even closer to the ground.
Be mindful of pests or pets accessing the Hummingbird feeder, as this will all lead to a mess, a stolen feeder - or indeed more disease spreading at the feeders.
Ideally you'd want to hang a Hummingbird feeder on a pole above a well lit up lawn location, although its understandable these conditions can't always be met.
Where NOT to hang a Hummingbird feeder at a lower placement will be in a darken corner that will result in a too discreet area. Similarly, don't jeopardize the safety of Hummingbirds by continuing to use a lower placement, knowing pests are about.
Hummingbird feeders can be suspended high or low off the ground if you didn't know, with a higher up location that is always going to be found.
I understand there's many reasons why you'd want to hang or place a Hummingbird feeder at a lower location; if the feeder must be placed on a table or railing to benefit you and the Hummers, then go ahead.
Remember, Hummingbird feeders don't necessary have to hang, thus a flat bottomed feeder can be safely sat on a sturdy surface.
Minimum 2 feet to hang
Where I got this random figure of 2 feet minimum distance off the ground from - I really have no idea - though two feet off the ground should be a good starting point.
Although bear in mind this will be your starting low point, where you'd later find out you can lower the Hummingbird feeder, or indeed end up raising it higher when issues arise.
Why Hummingbird feeders are hung off the ground is to primarily protect the nectar-filled feeder, from pests or pets who will be sure to feed on any spilled nectar - or indeed many animals will touch the feeder to purposely spill the nectar.
What you intend to hang a Hummingbird feeder on can still be a reliable bird feeder pole over the lawn, as the pole could come up a little shorter than expected.
Similarly, you could be attempting to hang the Hummingbird feeder on a low tree branch, or indeed a bracket only a few feet up on a fence.
My personal experience is, a low down to the ground Hummingbird feeder doesn't work out well for me. Of course pets are a big cause for concern and so to is the inability to be able to view the Hummingbirds as they come and go when its placed low.
Think of Hummingbird safety in mind when picking a low place to hang your Hummingbird feeder - so when you observe the Hummingbirds comings and goings, you can be sure there's no unwanted animals in the undergrowth, intended to do harm.
How low can a Hummingbird feeder be placed or hung off a random object will really depend on your circumstances, where safety of your Hummers will be paramount.
Lower in pest-free gardens
How low you place or hang a Hummingbird feeder will ultimately come down to what pests frequent your yard.
Most of us do experience the always present squirrels who're attracted to our Hummingbird feeders, but where there's squirrels there's also many other woodland creatures visiting - in hope of accessing what is an easy reach nectar-filled feeder.
With that in mind it isn't possible to place a Hummingbird feeder too low down to the ground, as it becomes to accessible to daily pests.
Squirrels, raccoon's and even chipmunks must be stopped at climbing up a pole where the Hummingbird feeder is suspended. Of which, you can't defend a Hummingbird feeder that is within reach to common bird feeder pests near to the ground.
When no common backyard pests are seen to visit your backyard - which is especially true in a built up suburban area - you could hang or place a Hummingbird feeder how low to the ground you feel is appropriate at the time.
Let's take for example a Hummingbird feeder hung beneath a 3 feet high deck railing [as pictured above] you must only do so where the feeder remains unmolested by any visiting wild animals, or pets like cats and dogs.
Don't forget about pets
While many of us will experience some kind of visiting wild animals who will try to access the nectar for a quick drink of sweet sugary-water - up to 99% of us have to deal with visiting cats in to our yards on a daily basis.
Its one thing when cats only come to poop, but its another when they could do harm to visiting Hummingbirds.
I must emphasis the need to never place a Hummingbird feeder lower than 4-6 feet off the ground, whenever cats are found to come into your yard. You can continue to use a Hummingbird feeder, but it must be hung high off the ground to avoid jumping cats.
Neighbors cats will be the real issue whereby the occasional stray cat can bring a new technique, in order to access the feeder.
With that, its imperative you keep an eye on proceedings to know if you have to make changes or adjustments to the hanging Hummingbird feeder placement.
Low to the ground Hummingbird feeders may not be a priority to your pet cats or dogs, but its vitally important pets are kept well clear of possible disease ridden feeders.
Suspend Hummingbird feeders off a bird feeding pole or up under the rafters if possible, whilst never hanging a Hummingbird feeder close to the ground with pets around.
Safe to put feeder on surfaces
Believe it or not you can put a Hummingbird feeder just about anywhere in your yard, providing its frequently visited by Hummingbirds, yet at the same time the location is kept safe with no pets, pests or children.
Spend time observing your Hummingbirds behavior in your yard, to find where they prefer to go.
Obviously, with a Hummingbird feeder in use this is where Hummers will frequent. With that, you can gradually move the feeder to a spot that isn't necessary a hanging location, like where its normally suspended off a bracket or bird feeder pole.
With that in mind, Hummingbird feeders can be positioned low to the ground, or hang as high off the ground as you can in an attempt to avoid bears for example.
In fact, Hummingbird feeders don't have to hang at all, as nectar-filled feeders can benefit on a sturdy surface commonly found around the yard.
Example of that is putting a Hummingbird feeder on top of a table or indeed a wall or on a deck railing. All of which is to either steady the feeder to prevent nectar spillages - or the surface location could be a more lit up area for Hummers to feed in.
With Hummingbird feeders commonly seen on a wall or railing only a few feet off the ground, with great success, it shouldn't be any different when placing or hanging a feeder only two to three feet off the ground.
To summarize
With Hummingbird feeders usually suspended off what is a default height of 4-6 feet off a bird feeding pole, this is where I recommend you suspend a Hummingbird feeder at the very minimum.
In spite of that, I really do believe its possible to hang or place a Hummingbird feeder only 2-3 feet off the ground, if all safety conditions are met.
What I mean is, to hang or place a Hummingbird feeder very low down to the ground, your yard must be pest-free - while also avoiding nuisance cats or curious pet dogs.
Visiting squirrels, raccoon's or chipmunks all access a Hummingbird feeder, thus they will all have no trouble when they can simply stand on their hind legs to drink the nectar out of this particular nectar-filled feeder.
If you so happen to receive visits by these common woodland creatures once in a while, or even rarely - then I would suggest only hanging the Hummingbird feeder 4 to 6 feet up off the ground - so you can implement squirrel proof devices that will keep them all well clear of the feeders.
How low you intend to hang or place a Hummingbird feeder off the ground can be for many reasons, of which I suggest only doing so if you can guarantee avoidance of pets and pests.
Indeed, a Hummingbird feeder can see a lot of success when it simply sits on top of a table or railing.
Do understand your frequently visiting Hummingbirds behavior, while in time you should see the occasional Hummingbird come to a low down feeder location, providing its accessible but highly visible in preferably a lit up location.
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