Where NOT to hang a Hummingbird feeder
With that time of the year again when hummingbird feeders are hung back up out in the yard, its imperative the placement doesn't endanger or discourage your hummers.
Never hang in blind spots for the birds whereas a clear line of sight for you will ensure you can keep an eye on proceedings. Avoid hanging Hummingbird feeder over next door neighbors yard, while isolating the feeders for Hummers away from other species, plus avoid people traffic, noise and disturbance.
Remember, where the hummingbird feeder is hung must prioritize hummingbird safety, though its also important to be able to observe the hummers as they come and go to the feeder, for your own personal pleasure.
Benefit to a wide and open lookout area is that you can view hummers - and other bird species as it happens - whilst keeping a close eye out for potential dangers or hazards.
You won't know about serious issues until they arise later when feeders are hung up on a pole or random garden object, and are active for several days... only then can you make some minor or major tweaks.
Where the hummingbird feeder is hung never allow it to hang over into your neighbors property or a public space; as it will be made difficult for you to manage the hummingbirds safely while unknown people or animals approach on the other side.
Rely on a bird feeder pole to be placed in the middle of the lawn at best, then there's little chance of hanging an hummingbird feeder where it doesn't belong.
Great thing about that is you can situate the feeders in plenty of sunshine which will be a much needed lit up area of the yard, with the possibility of some shade in hotter months.
With all that, you may have many hummingbird feeders to look after, thus you'd need to repeat the process of maintaining and managing safety of feeders, and therefore the hummingbirds for the time spent in your yard.
More importantly, never hang hummingbird feeders too low down, as it brings feeders dangerously close to the ground - where pets or pests lie and wait, or where overgrown vegetation can interrupt hummers feeding time.
Feeder hung in blind spot
What exactly is a blind spot anywhere in your yard, is where you happen to have your hummingbird feeder hung, only you can't observe the feeder for the most part of the day.
Sure, you can observe as hummingbirds come and go while you sit out in the yard, quietly watching hummers behavior on feeders. Only when you go back in the house, the feeder will be hidden from sight - which to say is an issue that relates to most of us.
Backyard birding usually relies on a bird feeder placement to allow full view as a temporary measure, as the hummingbird feeder position is only available to you when you sit or stand in the yard - or observe out of a window - to watch wild birds.
If you can guarantee hummingbirds are safe and sound where you don't have to scare off intruders or pests wishing to do harm - then continue to rely on this position - or multiple positions in the yard where hummingbird feeders can be hung.
With the observation of hummingbird feeders under control, unknown predators or pests could be lurking that you are unaware of, when you could be doing something about it.
And while its possible to safely hang a hummingbird feeder on a fence, it isn't a good idea if this same fence may be obscuring the neighbors cats or pets.
Never hang a hummingbird feeder on a low fence post if indeed cats can pounce on hummers from a ground position - as they wait on the other side of the fence.
Similarly, a hummingbird feeder hung off the deck could have a blind spot directly below, where hummingbirds can clearly view, only the blind spot is an issue for you. Hummingbirds don't get it right every time thus there's no harm in a second pair of eyes.
Populated area of yard
Where else you should not be thinking about hanging an hummingbird feeder, is indeed the populated area of your yard.
It could be the area of the backyard where you, the wife or husband and kids tend to spend most of their time playing or relaxing in the sun.
Kids can play still but they must be playing in an area that continues be obstructed from the hummingbird feeder, and so to the hummingbirds.
You or your other half sitting only a few feet from where the hummingbird feeder is hung, won't be much use unless you can provide an undisturbed area. If your wondering why birds aren't visiting while your in the yard... now you know why, because of you.
Absolutely can you attract hummingbirds to a feeder while you are observing near by, but for only one or two hummingbirds who begin to relax with your company.
When you can't afford additional places to hang an hummingbird feeder or two, don't worry as hummingbird feeders don't have to hang.
That is important if you wish to avoid being too close to the feeder over the course of the day, while at the same time you or the family still want to spend time in the yard.
When your backyard is a little too populated over the course of the week, then I would strongly advise about re-positioning the feeder.
Hummingbirds can be fed on a feeder if its high up and out of the way. Why not then hang the hummingbird feeder up to 16 feet on the roof overhang if available and accessible.
Bonus being the hummingbirds are safely out of the way and feel comfortable with you and the family far out of reach below them.
At the same time in no way can cats or indeed common bird feeder pests and the kiddies disturb the area, as its too high off the ground.
Where family go in/out of door
Populated areas in your yard that are frequented by you, your family or indeed the neighbors who spend time near by on the other side of the fence or hedge, will be sure to prevent hummingbirds feeding on the feeder.
And while its possible to re-position hummingbird feeders else where to keep them far away from people - light people traffic is still an issue to deal with.
With the backyard becoming the likely spot to hang a hummingbird feeder, it is uncommon to see an hummingbird feeder hung in a busier front yard.
Absolutely it can and will work for many people yet simply going to the house to the car, the car to the garage - or heading out for a walk or run on a daily basis - is part of the people traffic problem that will continue to disturb hummingbirds.
Hummingbird feeders placed within a path leading to the house as most of us have with the yard walkway, then position the feeder as far away as you can.
Its also possible for people to hang hummingbird feeders near to or actually on the roof over the doorway.
Never hang hummingbird feeders under an obscured doorway as the feeder is unlikely to be used, due to you and your family using this same door all day long.
If you must hang your hummingbird feeder in the front yard where your neighbors walk by and drive their cars, hang the hummingbird feeder on a bird feeder pole only - positioned in the middle of the yard in a lit up area.
Overhanging neighbors property
Beyond your control and certainly a sure fire way to annoy your neighbors you don't know all that well, is to hang hummingbird feeders in such a way the feeder actually hangs over your neighbors property.
I will remind you they do have the right to remove or take control of your hummingbird feeder at this point, thus its never a good idea without prior permission.
Where you hang your hummingbird feeder safely can depend on it hanging somewhat a little, or all the way over into your next door neighbors backyard.
To hang an hummingbird feeder on a shared tree, shrubs or bushes could result in a shared but unwanted hummingbird feeder, thus its vitally important you are self-aware of such issues arising now or later.
Not necessary hanging an hummingbird feeder over your neighbors yard, but this also goes for screwing into your neighbors fence without consent - while also hanging a bracket on the neighbors side of the yard.
Overhanging a hummingbird feeder into the neighbors or even a public area will indeed provide a blind spot that if you could still see the danger arising... you could do little about it as the feeder is far beyond your control.
Segregate Hummers feeding area
Hummingbird feeders can be hung in many places that are super safe even in the smallest backyards, only this area becomes less if you plan to, or are already feeding wild birds other the hummingbirds in your yard.
It vitally important to remember hummingbird feeders can't be put next to other feeders, as hummers are reclusive, thus prefer to feed on their own.
Heck, hummingbirds tend to avoid other hummers in the wild, so its absolutely crucial you don't take this likely. Hummingbird feeders must be hung separately in your yard, where they'd be hung well away from bird feeders intended for suet, peanuts or seeds.
And while the nectar-filled feeder for orioles may seem a match for hummingbirds, still hummers won't share a space with orioles until they have left the bird feeder area.
Where NOT to hang a hummingbird feeder more than anywhere else then, is within the same location of other bird feeders intended for other common backyard bird species.
It certainly does reduce your options dramatically but this isn't an issue one can't overcome without some prior planning.
Hummingbirds can be fed higher up as all, where their feeder can be hung under the eaves of the roof overhang - with a soffit, rafters or guttering made accessible to you.
Meanwhile other bird feeders can be on the lawn where they hang on the bird feeding station pole; with an option to hang regular bird feeder in a tree if made available to you.
Near to pedestrian sidewalk
In an effort to keep your hummingbird feeders under full control - like where it could be out of your hands if feeders are hung in your neighbors yard - the same applies if your hummingbird feeders hang into a public space.
Once again this could be a result of hanging hummingbird feeders on a fence with a blind spot behind where pedestrians constantly walk past, all while disturbing hummingbirds at the same time.
While a hummingbird feeder can fall into this public area as it still remains within your your property line - but hangs over a pedestrian walkway - can result in troublemakers jumping up to steal or damage your feeder.
To hang an hummingbird feeder in a way it becomes accessible to the public walking past, you'll certainly be off to a bad start.
Hummingbird feeders must be under your management at all times thus it must be within your property boundary. While at the same time out of reach of the public who may do unknown damage to the feeder.
Least we not forget, all hummingbird feeders can be a quick cash grab to thieves, thus its important they can't quickly, and quietly, be taken away by strangers.
Unlikely I know, but its also possible you could have a letter advising the removal of this hummingbird feeder from local officials, as it hangs into the public domain.
To summarize
Where should you not hang a hummingbird feeder that is vitally important than any other placement, is never positioning feeders in a blind spot.
Blind spots are a common thing as you don't always observe hummingbirds comings and goings; this relates more to those of you who are away of issues with pets or pests but don't do anything about them lurking in the blind spot of your yard.
Hanging hummingbird feeders too close to a neighbors fence is a prime example, if you know their cat could be ready to pounce on the other side of the fence.
Similarly, to try and hang a hummingbird feeder in a tree you know could be occupied by cats - or perhaps snakes - then this is a blind spot you must do something about.
To hang your hummingbird feeders on a bird feeding station pole bracket in the middle of the yard in a lit up area is the best place to hang hummingbird feeders. Despite this area still inviting trouble of which, hummingbirds can take care of themselves at this point.
Where else you shouldn't really hang your hummingbird feeder is in the busy part of your back or front yard, where it would normally be occupied by you and the family for the best part of the day - with kids playing, you barbecuing or the wife or husband sunbathing.
Hummingbird feeders must never be positioned anywhere near a walkway either where your family go to and from the house. Similarly, this applies to hanging hummingbird feeders too close to a pedestrian sidewalk.
Never hang hummingbird feeders where people generally occupy throughout the day, and this applies to the doorway or a busy window of the house.
Hummingbirds are awkward in the way they must be segregated, as they will never share the same space - or even be around other bird species - thus the hummingbird feeder must be hung up all be itself unfortunately.
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