Hi all-
I forgot to ask, and have never noted, if hummingbird feeders could be hung from a tree in shade/partial shade. I have a new one in a small tree and no hummers are coming. I wondered if they haven't heard about the All-You-Can-Eat Buffet or if they won't go to a feeder because it's in the shade.
Suzy
Hummingbord feeder placement - sun or shade?
Suzy, What else is in the tree? REason why I ask is because preditors hide in wait at hummer feeders in trees a lot of times. I have so many other birds too that a bug don't have a chance near those hb feeders. It is best to hang them in the open on a Shepherd's hook.. I had a Vitex and some Zinnias in partial shade last year, and they came every day, all day long once they found them. They sipped at the feeder too which was in full sun.
The water spoils faster in the sun, ya just have to change it out every 2 and no more than 3 days in full sun.
My feeder is in partial shade, under a Chinese elm. My hummers found it. One has a certain dead twig up in the tree, that he likes to perch on and watch the world go by. : )
Oh, okay....thanks!
Suzy
Since I live in the deep south tip of Texas where our summer temps hit over 100 I usually hang feeders from under my porch eave as well as from my citrus trees. They remain fairly shaded throughout the day. Hummies often perch on a nearby branch to watch over the feeders...or they'll perch on windchimes and suncatchers I have hanging from my backporch too.
Only trouble with hanging feeders from trees is the propensity for ants to find their way to the feeder as well. Ant moats!!!
~ Cat
Yes Cat. and sometimes Praying Mantis nab them at the feeder. This is what I meant by preditors.
http://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/site/backyardbirds/hummingbirds/mantis-hummer.aspx
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/639398/
:-(
Sorry I didn't answer this before. I didn't realize a praying mantis was such a predator of humingbirds... seems hard to visualize unless they grow 'em bigger in Texas. They must be strong, and quick, too!
I don't usually have very many praying mantises, anyway, but I took your advice and put the feeder in the sun, as far away from the trees as I could manage. It's a double sheperd's hook and I got one single hummer this evening on it. I hope he has some friends! Oh, I meant to add that on the other hook is my darn jug of brew. That thing needs to be vented every 6 hours or she'll blow! I was busy this weekend, so I had to leave it topless, but what to do with it to keep the ants out??? So I hung it on the other shepherd's hook. Can you say Beverly Hillbilies? It looks like hell, and I'll figure out something better tomorrow, but I had to do something right away because I was leaving.
Suzy