Attracting wildlife to your garden has many benefits.
Not least of all, you get to observe nature up close and personal and you’re almost providing a service for these creatures.
The hummingbird is a stunning animal that many people want to attract to their yard.
However, if you’re going to be successful and provide a safe space for these avian friends, you’ll need to make sure that you hang your hummingbird house in the right location.
It’s possible to purchase hummingbird nests or baskets and this is a great way to bring these birds to your outdoor space.
But where is the best place to hang them?
Hummingbirds are very conscious of predators and elements such as the wind. For this reason, it’s always best to place your hummingbird house where there is adequate shelter and protection. Many people find that hanging the hummingbird nest under the eaves of the house is one of the best locations.
If you’re keen to bring one of nature’s most fascinating birds to your home (they’re the only bird that can fly backward, don’t you know) then you’ll need to not only think about the placement of the house but other factors as well.
In This Guide: We’ll be telling you everything you need to know to create the perfect hummingbird sanctuary.
Table of Contents
Getting to Know The Hummingbird House
Hummingbird houses are not the same as a typical birdhouse in that they are not as confined.
These birds do not like to be enclosed in the same way that other birds might.
For this reason, there is very little point in buying a traditional birdhouse.
You can purchase ready-made hummingbird nests that are made from:
- moss
- feathers
- plant down
- and even spider silk
These houses are also designed in different shapes and sizes that are intended to mimic the natural nests that these birds will make.
While it can be tempting to opt for other types of birdhouses that you feel will fit in with the aesthetic of your garden, you’ll have very little success.
Location, Location, Location
Hanging the hummingbird house under the eaves of your own house is by far the best option.
This will provide the birds with the protection they need from predators making them feel much safer.
Furthermore, it will protect them from the wind and other adverse conditions such as harsh sunlight, providing them with much-needed shade.
It is also possible to hang the hummingbird house under a branch near to your property.
Provided that there is good cover, the birds will still be attracted to the area.
Many people also choose to hang a hummingbird feeder within a few feet of the house so that the birds have everything they need in one convenient location.
Another great place to locate your hummingbird house is under a covered porch.
If you’re very lucky, and the birds feel safe enough, you may be treated to a female preparing her nest right on your front doorstep!
Moreover: The chances of the female reusing the nest time and again are pretty high so you may even find yourself with a resident hummingbird provided that you keep the conditions desirable.
How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden
It’s all well and good placing hummingbird houses in just the right spots around your garden but you’ve actually got to get the birds there in the first place.
Of course, one of the best ways of doing this is by choosing the right type of house; like the ones we talked about earlier as these will be super attractive to the hummingbirds.
But there are other things you can do as well.
Don’t Go Crazy With Feeders
It can be tempting to believe that the more hummingbird feeders you put out, the more birds will come but this isn’t strictly the best approach.
While you will have hummingbirds coming in their droves to feed, the chances of them actually nesting in your garden will diminish due to the crowds.
Moreover, if your plethora of feeders begin to attract larger birds, this will put those small hummingbirds off and you might not see the action you have been hoping for.
Keep the Insect Population Under Control
Insects are an important part of your garden and many will help to maintain it.
That said, when it comes to hummingbirds, there are some creepy crawlies that can pose a threat.
For example, things like praying mantises can attack the hummingbirds so it’s best to control these populations.
Keep Predators at Bay
One of the biggest problems in attracting hummingbirds is that these are prey animals with a lot of predators.
When they feel even the slightest bit threatened, they will simply fly away so if you have pets like dogs or cats, this can be an issue.
But wild predators are also a problem.
If you live in an area where snakes live in large numbers, you’ll want to try to keep them out of your yard.
Always Good Idea: If you notice any signs of predatory animals like this in your garden, take action as soon as possible.
Avoid Pesticides
It goes without saying that if a hummingbird ingests any pesticides or other chemicals, this isn’t going to end well.
For this reason, we’d suggest keeping your garden as organic and safe as possible so our little friends don’t come to any harm.
Conclusion
The hummingbird is a beautiful small bird found across the United States and there are as many as eight species that nest in this country.
But they’re quite cautious animals and have a strong fear of predators so they need somewhere safe to nest.
This is why it is important to choose just the right spot in your garden to place a hummingbird house.
Under the eaves or beneath a covered porch are some of the best spots but under a heavy cover tree is also an option.
You’ll want to make sure that the hummingbirds are attracted to your garden in the first place so be sure to follow our tips to create a space that they’ll see as a paradise.
