Why not bring in hummingbird feeders at night?

Many hummingbird enthusiasts wonder if they should bring their feeders in at night or leave them out 24/7. There are good arguments on both sides of this debate. Leaving feeders out overnight provides a constant food source for hummingbirds that are active at dawn. However, there are also risks associated with leaving sugary feeders outside for prolonged periods, especially overnight. This article will examine the pros and cons and provide guidance on best practices for hummingbird feeder care.

Do hummingbirds feed at night?

Hummingbirds are diurnal creatures, meaning they are most active during daylight hours. However, some hummingbirds will feed up to 30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset. Anna’s and Rufous hummingbirds in particular are known to feed early and late in the day. This means having a feeder available first thing in the morning and in the evening twilight provides important fueling opportunities for these early and late feeders.

While hummingbirds primarily sleep at night, they do sometimes wake up briefly to eat. Having an overnight food source available means hummers don’t have to go long stretches without the quick energy boost nectar provides. If feeders are taken in, hummingbirds may struggle to find alternate food sources in the dark.

Do hummingbirds feed in the rain?

Hummingbirds are light enough that rain doesn’t deter them from feeding. As long as it’s not a heavy downpour with high winds, hummingbirds will gladly fly through rain to reach food sources. Since hummingbirds need to eat frequently to maintain their high metabolisms, they cannot afford to wait out long storms before finding more nectar.

Leaving feeders out in light to moderate rain provides essential energy, especially for mothers who are feeding hungry nestlings. Taking feeders in during rain showers means hummers must either go hungry or seek out less convenient alternate food options.

Benefits of Leaving Feeders Out Overnight

There are some good reasons many hobbyists choose to leave feeders out 24 hours a day.

Provides an early morning food source

Hummingbirds burn a lot of calories to survive. After fasting throughout the night, hummers wake up hungry and in need of quick energy. Having feeders available first thing means they can refuel immediately to get a jumpstart on their busy day of feeding on flower nectar and defending territory. This helps hummingbirds conserve precious energy first thing in the morning.

Supports territorial behaviors

Hummingbirds are highly territorial creatures. Leaving feeders out overnight means resident hummers can start feeding in their claimed territory right away each morning. This helps reinforce territorial boundaries. Bringing feeders in overnight essentially erases territorial lines each day, forcing hummingbirds to re-establish claim to feeders every morning.

Saves time for the caregiver

Taking feeders in and out every day takes time and effort. Leaving feeders out 24/7 eliminates this daily chore for the human caregiver. For those who have multiple feeders or feeders that are difficult to access, leaving them out permanently can save significant time.

Provides food during rain showers

As previously mentioned, hummingbirds will readily fly through rain showers to reach food sources. Keeping feeders stocked and accessible during periods of rain provides essential nutrition during times when many natural flowering plants may be unavailable. This helps hummingbirds avoid going into torpor overnight to conserve energy.

Minimizes disruption of feeding opportunities

Each time feeders are removed, it represents lost feeding opportunities for hummingbirds in the area. The more often feeders are taken in, the more times hummers will arrive to find an empty source. Frequent disruption can cause hummingbirds to abandon feeders in search of more reliable food sources.

Risks of Leaving Feeders Out All Night

However, there are also some potential downsides to leaving sugary liquid feeders out for extended periods without changing or cleaning:

Increased risk of bacterial and fungal growth

Nectar spoils fairly quickly, especially in warm weather. Yeasts and bacteria can start growing within 1-2 days, particularly on sugars. This can lead to fermentation and cause sour, slick nectar. Fungal spores and other microbes are also common contaminants. Consuming spoiled nectar can potentially make hummingbirds sick.

Ant and bee infestations

Ants and bees are attracted to sugary substances. Leaving feeders out overnight increases the chances these insects will find the food source and infest feeders. Bees can aggressively take over and prevent hummingbird access.

Issues with pests

Other pests like raccoons, squirrels, and bears may be more likely to take notice of feeders left out overnight and attempt to raid the liquid food source. They can damage feeders in pursuit of sugar water.

Increased moisture exposure

Exposing feeders to moisture overnight from rain, dew, and irrigation increases changes of water getting into the nectar. This dilutes the sugar concentration hummers require. It also provides more opportunities for contaminants to enter the nectar.

Higher risk of freezing

In areas with freezing overnight temperatures, nectar left out all night is at risk of freezing. This can damage feeders and makes the sugar water unavailable until it thaws in the morning.

Greater light degradation

Direct sun exposure degrades nutrients in nectar. Leaving feeders out overnight exposes the liquid to more hours of sunlight.

Best Practices

The ideal approach depends on your climate and hummingbird activity patterns in your area. Here are some best practices to balance the needs of hummingbirds with the risks of leaving feeders uncleaned for extended periods:

Clean and change nectar every 2-3 days

Regularly flushing old nectar and thoroughly cleaning feeders helps reduce microbial contaminants. Every 2-3 days is ideal in warm weather. You can stretch to every 4-5 days in cooler climates.

Use fresh recipes

Preparing a fresh nectar batch helps ensure peak nutrition and sweetness. Never use nectar that is more than 5-7 days old, even if it looks and smells fine. The sugars start to degrade.

Take in feeders overnight every 2-3 days

Rotating feeders gives you a chance to regularly clean and refresh nectar. But leaving them out the majority of the time ensures constant overnight access.

Select feeders that limit ant access

Choose feeder styles with moats, reservoirs, or other design features that minimize ants climbing into the nectar. This reduces the need for daily cleaning.

Bring in feeders if nectar freezes

In below freezing weather, take feeders in overnight anytime nectar freezes to prevent damage. Put them back out first thing after temperatures rise.

Supplement feeders with flowers

Planting native flowers that provide natural nectar sources helps supplement feeders. This gives hummers alternate food options if feeders are temporarily unavailable.

Avoid hot, humid weather if leaving out

Only leave feeders out overnight consistently if nighttime lows are below 70°F. Hot and humid conditions require more frequent nectar replacement.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds can benefit from having feeders available overnight. But this must be balanced with the importance of regular cleaning and nectar replacement to ensure freshness. Following these best practices allows you to maximize overnight feeding opportunities while minimizing risks to hummingbird health. Pay attention to any signs of spoilage, pest invasions, or freezing issues, and adjust your overnight strategy accordingly. With a little vigilance, you can provide an around-the-clock buffet that meets the needs of resident hummingbirds.