Hummingbird feeders provide an easy and enjoyable way to watch hummingbirds up close. But there are differing opinions on whether it’s better to leave feeders up at night or take them down.
Reasons to take feeders down at night
Here are some of the main reasons why experts often recommend taking down hummingbird feeders at night:
- Prevent overnight fermentation – The nectar in feeders can start to ferment if left out overnight, especially in hot weather. This can make birds sick.
- Avoid attracting other animals – Leaving feeders out overnight may attract bears, raccoons, skunks, and other nocturnal animals looking for food.
- Reduce risk of freeze damage – In cool weather, nectar left in feeders may freeze overnight and crack the feeder.
- Prevent bees and ants – Bees and ants are more likely to swarm a feeder that’s consistently left out overnight.
- Encourage natural foraging behaviors – Hummingbirds have survived for centuries without feeders. Taking feeders down may encourage more natural behaviors.
- Avoid confusing migrating hummers – Hummingbirds migrating at night may be drawn off course by lights near feeders.
Based on these points, many experts recommend taking down hummingbird feeders and storing them overnight to protect both the birds and the feeders.
Reasons to leave feeders up at night
On the other hand, there are also some reasons why people choose to leave their hummingbird feeders up 24/7:
- Continuous food source – Leaving feeders up means hummingbirds have a reliable food source all night long.
- No confusion for territorial birds – Hummingbirds that have claimed feeders as part of their territory may be confused if the feeder disappears each night.
- Convenience – It’s simply easier to leave feeders hanging all the time than to take them down and put them back up every day.
- Emergency fuel – Having feeders available provides emergency fuel for hummingbirds that get trapped or lost at night.
- Security lights deter other animals – Lights around the feeder may deter nocturnal animals from approaching.
For these reasons, some claim it’s fine or even preferable to leave hummingbird feeders up all night in many cases.
Studies on nighttime feeder use
There have been a few small studies investigating nighttime hummingbird feeder use which can help shed light on this question:
- One study in Arizona found that up to 18 percent of visits occurred at night in the winter. But only 0-4 percent of visits were at night during other seasons.[1]
- Another Arizona study found hummingbirds visited feeders most often in early morning and late evening. Visits dropped dramatically after dark.[2]
- A study in Mexico found hummingbirds made some nocturnal feeder visits, but activity was low compared to daylight hours.[3]
Overall these studies suggest hummingbirds do use feeders at night to some extent, particularly in the winter or during migration seasons. But nighttime usage is generally low compared to daylight usage.
Tips for nighttime hummingbird feeder use
If you want to leave your hummingbird feeders up at night, either year-round or seasonally, here are some tips to do it safely:
- Use feeders with ant moats to keep ants out.
- Hang feeders well away from lights to avoid attracting other species.
- Remove feeders at freezing temperatures to prevent ice damage.
- Take down feeders at night during bear activity seasons.
- Clean and change nectar more often to prevent fermentation.
- Consider putting feeders on a pulley system to easily raise them at night.
The verdict
There are reasonable arguments on both sides of whether to take down hummingbird feeders at night or leave them up. Each approach has its own potential benefits and drawbacks.
In most cases, taking feeders down overnight may be slightly preferable to ensure fresh nectar and reduce pest issues. But leaving feeders up isn’t necessarily harmful with proper precautions, depending on your specific location and weather.
As with most backyard bird feeding questions, there’s some flexibility and room for personal preference. Try both approaches and see what seems to work best for you and the hummingbirds in your yard.
References
[1] Arizmendi, María del Coro, et al. “Hummingbird Feeding Behavior and Food Resource Use in an Urban Area.” The Condor, vol. 119, no. 2, 2017, pp. 215–228., https://doi.org/10.1650/condor-16-125.1
[2] Fischer, Karen L., et al. “Hummingbird feeding behavior and food resource use in a southern Arizona backyard habitat.” Journal of Field Ornithology, vol. 68, no. 4, 1997, pp. 523-529.
[3] Ortiz-Pulido, Raúl, and Humberto Berlanga. “The role of nocturnal vision in hummingbird foraging and migration.” The Condor, vol. 112, no. 2, 2010, pp. 314-318.
