Why You Shouldn't Place Your Hummingbird Feeder Near Your Regular Bird Feeders

When offering nectar to hummers, you'll want to ensure you don't make the mistake of putting your hummingbird feeder in the wrong spot. It might seem like a good idea to hang your regular seed feeders near your hummingbird feeders so you can enjoy watching all the birds at once, but doing so can lead to some problems. While they are mostly known for being beautiful and fast birds, hummers can also be extremely territorial. In some cases, bigger birds will scare off the hummingbirds simply by being near the nectar or perching on the edge of the feeder. As for smaller feathered friends, like songbirds, the hummingbirds might go after them to defend their valuable nectar.

Since it's not wise to hang your hummingbird feeder near your suet or seed feeders for other birds, you'll need to determine the best place to put your hummingbird feeder. You might be thinking that putting some of your hummingbird feeders together in a separate part of your yard will fix the issue, but this isn't always the case. Hummers will also chase off one another, as they instinctively try to guard the food source for themselves. To prevent your feathered friends from fighting with one another and enjoy watching them stop to eat, keep your regular feeders and hummingbird feeders separated, allowing all the birds the privacy they need to feel secure in your space.

While you'll still want to keep all your bird feeders in places where you can see them, it's a good idea to spread them out in your yard. If your seed feeder is in your garden or the center of your yard, try placing your hummingbird feeder near some bushes or greenery a bit away from it. By providing the hummers with cover, they may not be as inclined to fly off when larger birds are munching on seeds.

If you have seen hummers fighting at your feeders, try setting up one feeder in your backyard and another around the side of your house. This way, the feeders will be out of sight of one another, allowing the birds to feel safe and enjoy their nectar. Otherwise, simply try to allow about 20 feet of space between your hummingbird feeders to keep all the birds happy and safe. 

In some cases, even if you have a lot of nectar stations in one spot, the birds won't fight over the resources because there's such an abundance; however, spreading them out will ensure aggressive birds can't dominate every nectar source. Now, you can lure beautiful hummingbirds to your yard while enjoying your other feathered friends without conflicts between them.