Can a hummingbird feeder be too high?

Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures. Their ability to hover and fly backwards sets them apart from other birds. To feed, hummingbirds use their long, slender beaks to drink nectar from flowers. Because of their unique feeding style, providing nectar from a feeder requires some special considerations. One question that often comes up is whether a hummingbird feeder can be placed too high.

Quick Answer

The quick answer is yes, it is possible for a hummingbird feeder to be too high. Hummingbirds expend a great deal of energy hovering and flying. Placing a feeder too high forces them to use more energy accessing the nectar source. As a general rule, hummingbird feeders should not be placed higher than 10 feet off the ground.

Ideal Height for Hummingbird Feeders

To understand if a feeder is too high, it helps to know the ideal height range. Most experts recommend placing hummingbird feeders 5-10 feet above ground. Here are some of the benefits of hanging feeders at this height:

• Easy access – A feeder placed in this range is easy for hummingbirds to spot and access.
• Shade – Hanging a feeder under a tree branch or eave provides necessary shade.
• Shelter – The branches and leaves also provide shelter from wind and rain.
• Safety – Feeders placed 5-10 feet high are safer from other animals that might knock them down or contaminate the nectar.

Feeders hung in this ideal height range make it easy for hummingbirds to spot them and access the nectar without expending unnecessary energy.

Problems with Hanging Feeders Too High

There are a few problems that can occur when hummingbird feeders are placed too high:

• Excess energy expenditure – Higher feeders require more hovering and flying to access.
• Difficult to spot – Feeders over 10 feet become harder for hummers to see and find.
• Lack of shelter – No protection from rain, wind, or predators.
• Isolation – May isolate some individuals who can’t expend the energy to reach.
• Danger – Higher places feeders at greater risk of falls that would spill nectar.

All of these factors can create an unfavorable and potentially dangerous feeding situation for hummingbirds when the feeder is too high. The most significant issue is that very high feeders force hummingbirds to expend excess energy reaching the nectar source.

Hummingbird Energy Expenditure

To understand why height matters, it helps to comprehend how much energy hummingbirds expend while feeding. Here are some key considerations:

• High metabolisms – Hummingbirds have very fast metabolisms and must consume substantial amounts of energy.
• Hovering burns energy – Hovering in place requires a lot of energy expenditure.
• Upward flight burns energy – Flying upwards to a feeder requires greater effort than horizontal flight.
• Higher height = more effort – The higher a feeder, the more effort and hovering is required.

Because of their high metabolic needs and the substantial energy required for hovering and upward flight, unnecessary energy expenditures accessing food sources can be detrimental to hummingbirds.

Typical Energy Expenditure of Hummingbirds

To understand the energy demands, here is a table showing the average resting and active metabolic rates of hummingbirds:

As the table shows, hummingbirds have very high energy needs. When a feeder is too high, it further increases their active metabolic rate, potentially putting them at risk of energy deficit.

Signs that a Hummingbird Feeder is Too High

When a hummingbird feeder is too high for comfortable access, the hummingbirds will display some telltale behaviors and signs:

• Labored hovering – Lots of wing fluttering and struggling to stay stable in one place.
• Labored upward flight – Flying upwards to the feeder appears strenuous.
• Not using the feeder – Some hummingbirds avoid the feeder because it requires too much exertion.
• Fighting at the feeder – Birds aggressively guarding the feeder and not sharing due to the effort required to reach it.
• Increased aggression – Higher energy needs lead to more squabbling over territory and feeders.
• Leaving the area – Hummingbirds abandoning an area because the feeders are too difficult to access.

These signs indicate the feeder placement needs to be adjusted to better serve the hummingbirds. Lowering the height will make it easier for them to feed.

Maximum Height Recommendations

Given the energy demands of hummingbirds, most experts recommend the following maximum heights for feeders:

• Feeders under eaves or porches – 7 to 9 feet high
• Hanging feeders with open access – 5 to 6 feet high
• Feeders near windows – Adjacent to or just above window height

In most situations, 10 feet should be considered an absolute maximum height. If hummingbirds appear to be struggling to reach a feeder, it needs to be lowered to reduce the energy burden.

Choosing the Best Height

Selecting the optimal feeder height depends on the specific location. Here are some tips:

• Start low – Begin by hanging the feeder 5 feet high and observe hummingbird behavior.
• Adjust if needed – Raise the feeder in 1 foot increments if the birds seem comfortable.
• Provide multiple feeders – Have several feeders at different heights to accommodate all individuals.
• Don’t exceed 10 feet – No matter what, do not hang a feeder over 10 feet high.

The best approach is to start low and make adjustments. Having multiple feeders at different heights is ideal for serving all the hummingbirds in the area.

Using Poles and Platforms for Extra Height

If wanting to place a feeder higher than 10 feet, use a pole or platform system. This allows the feeder to be up high but provides a landing spot closer to the ground. Some types of pole and platform feeder setups include:

• Single pole with perches – A pole with perches allows hummingbirds to rest
• Multiple tiered poles – Poles with perches at different heights
• Platform feeders – A platform hanging system where birds can land and feed

Using a pole setup with perches or a platform feeder allows the feeder to be placed higher while still providing easy and low energy access for hummingbirds.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is absolutely possible for a hummingbird feeder to be too high. Low energy access to food sources is critical for hummingbirds. Placing feeders above 10 feet usually results in excessive energy expenditure. Ideal heights are 5-10 feet in most situations. Start feeders low and adjust heights gradually to meet the needs of local hummingbird populations based on observations of their behavior and feeding success around the feeder.