Is ONE Hummingbird feeder enough
All of us should really get started in attracting wild life with one bird feeder per bird food type, which can apply to a nectar-filled feeder that may or may not see success.
One Hummingbird feeder will be enough when first starting out in attracting Hummingbirds to your yard, as you'd have no idea how many or little Hummers would make the most of it. Although I will add a larger capacity Hummingbird feeder with a dozen port wells may be all that's needed.
Starting out with just the one Hummingbird feeder when its times to hang it out in the garden come March through April, can save you a lot of time and effort if things don't work out as expected, along with money saved on additional feeders.
Bird bath success can vary and so can all types of bird feeders made to dispense seeds and nuts for example - so we put out bird feeders anyway in hope success naturally comes our way, regardless how long it takes.
Well, this way of thinking will apply to any type of Hummingbird feeder that may or may not attract Hummingbirds to it in, in the early spring.
To begin with only one Hummingbird feeder will be enough for now as it will ensure you can feed the fewest Hummingbirds who will hopefully find the one feeder.
Worse case scenario is adding more Hummingbird feeders to the bird feeder pole, which will dispense enough nectar with hopefully multiple port wells available for a number of Hummers to feed at any one time.
You really should know when more than two Hummingbird feeders are needed, because potentially your Hummingbird feeder was swamped the previous year. And thus to add an additional feeder, could prevent a crowded feeder this current year.
Its a good idea to start out attracting Hummingbirds to just the one feeder for now, as you'll always have that option to add two or three feeders later, in a month or so time.
Don't expect Hummingbirds to swamp any Hummingbird feeder hung up in your yard, when you have no idea how Hummers interact in your local area. Save your expectations for now, but hope for the best while pulling in the drawstrings, in terms of expense.
Just the One feeder will do
You know what, for any one of you who are just starting out in attracting wild birds in your yard this year, its imperative to begin with a soft start that requires little backyard birding equipment - and it will save you time, money and aggravation later.
Make it one Hummingbird feeder that has eight to twelve port wells if you like, with the extra port wells being as good as two or three feeders.
No more than one Hummingbird feeder is needed at the beginning, because failing to attract an abundance of Hummers to your feeder is always a real concern.
At least with a single Hummingbird feeder it can save you some embarrassment with friends and family later, as they like to tease you with your overconfidence.
Utilizing one Hummingbird feeder does have its benefits mind, in that its easier to hang the feeder in an area that isn't next to regular bird feeders which Hummingbirds like to avoid, unless they're present in large numbers.
With two Hummingbird feeders, they will still need to be hung a foot or so apart which will require additional space on the bird feeder pole bracket.
See how Hummers respond to one
With the one, multi-port well Hummingbird feeder hung up on what will probably be a sunlit located bird feeder pole, now you can sit back and just enjoy any visitors.
In this time you can observe Hummingbirds feeding behavior and how few or more Hummers respond to a single feeder.
Bear in mind, this current, single feeder may need re-positioning - rather than taking it a little negativity - and a hint to invest in a new Hummingbird feeders. I don't recommend you move the Hummingbird feeder at this time, as the original location you've chosen will simply need time to be found by Hummers once they arrive in the neighborhood.
When you know Hummingbirds are responding well to your original Hummingbird feeder, they will be seen to perch or hover over any port wells while quietly getting along, with no in fighting and hopefully, not being harassed by other bird species.
I will add a second Hummingbird feeder will have to be brought in an effort to stop a bully Hummingbird, as you'd hang an additional Hummingbird feeder while letting this naughty little guy have this Hummingbird feeder to himself.
Only when you feel a single Hummingbird feeder is becoming overwhelmed on a daily basis, with all port wells being used at the same time, would be a time to add a second feeder.
Multiple Port Wells cater to many
I have covered this topic lightly previously but often the idea of using additional Hummingbird feeders, like two or three, could be an absurd idea when a larger capacity feeder should of been used at very beginning.
Large capacity Hummingbird feeders usually correspond to a dozen or more port wells, which will allow plenty of room for multiple Hummingbirds on a feeder at any one time.
With that, an abundance of nectar within a larger capacity Hummingbird feeder would likely see Hummers fight less among themselves.
A single Hummingbird feeder with 12 or more port wells - and hopefully an Hummingbird feeder utilizing a perch - should be enough to satisfy your local Hummers while avoiding an additional investment in a second or third feeder.
Make it a Hummingbird feeder with a perch at each port well, because then you could find Hummers taking in turns, as they line up behind others at wells, waiting for their turn.
I will say though an additional but cheap Hummingbird feeder or three can help Hummingbirds find feeders, where the red suspended feeder draws the eyes of Hummers looking for nectar-filled devices in our yards.
When hanging a Hummingbird feeder or two on a single bird feeder pole, often its a good idea to hang Hummingbird feeders on multiple objects around the yard, to be sure at least one feeder is found.
No additional feeder will save money
I have mentioned by only utilizing the one Hummingbird feeder you can expect to save money.
But at the same time additional Hummingbird feeders are a good idea as it means at least one feeder can be found by passing Hummingbirds.
When buying just the one Hummingbird feeder which would ideally feature a perch with a dozen or more port wells, we can be sure you have all bases covered - with no additional Hummingbird feeders needed in the meantime.
By the way, if you can make it a saucer type Hummingbird feeder they is less prone to leaking, and easier to clean and maintain.
I will add though while its a good idea to buy two or three, very cheap plastic Hummingbird feeders as an effective technique to attract Hummers to multiple locations, additional expense may be unavoidable.
You see, if attracting ants to your Hummingbird feeder, you will need one ant moat per Hummingbird feeder that is hung up in the yard.
Conclude
To save time and money there's certainly no harm in using only the one Hummingbird feeder for now, as a single feeder has no real disadvantages.
More Hummingbirds than expected show up then good, they will feed out of all port wells available, with a nectar capacity that should see them through for a few days. Of course going for a small, cheap, four-port well feeder would be bad planning on your part.
With that, there's really no way of telling how popular or poorly an Hummingbird feeder would perform, thus a single Hummingbird feeder can be upgraded to two later.
Why you'd use more than one Hummingbird feeder would be to use the vibrant red of nectar-filled feeders as a beacon to nearby birds - which is an effective way to attract wild birds to your Hummingbird feeders.
One Hummingbird feeder is enough when only a handful of Hummers visit daily, with no real reason to add a second any time soon.
How you will know when one Hummingbird feeder will do, is allowing plenty of time to get a clear picture of Hummingbirds behavior at your one feeder.
To be on the safe side, simply use a multiple port well, large capacity Hummingbird feeder, as you'll then be well ahead when the feeder will hopefully see an increase in use.
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