How to Hang a Hummingbird Feeder

Naomi Judd

Attracting hummingbirds to your yard is a great way to view the colorful buzzing of these tiny birds. Hanging a hummingbird feeder is fairly simple, but there are a few things to take into consideration when doing so. The method for hanging depends on the type of feeder, and you will also want to consider the location where you hang it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

C-shaped hook screw
Heavy-duty twist tie or wire

Step 1

Check to see if your hummingbird feeder has come with a hook and tie. Some may come with a tie but no hook, and some don't come with either. If you need to procure these, then a heavy-duty twist tie (the kind that comes with electronics to wrap cords together) works well to tie to the top of the feeder, where there is a small hole for this. Also, you will need a C-shaped screw hook to hang the feeder from above, unless your feeder is the kind that affixes to a window by suction cups.

Step 2

Choose the location to hang your hummingbird feeder. It is important to choose a place that is visible to the hummingbirds as well as to you. If you often sit on your front or back porch, patio, or deck, for example, this is a prime location to hang the feeder so that you can observe the hummingbirds.

Step 3

Screw the C-shaped hook into a beam or post so that the feeder will hang down from it vertically. Again, patios, porches and decks work well for this, as these often have upper supporting beams. You should easily be able to screw the C-shaped hook by hand into the wood of a beam. If your deck or patio has no roof-covered area, you will need to buy a rod or post to hang the feeder from.

Step 4

Feed the twist tie (these are just plastic-coated wires, and regular wire works fine too) through the hole of the feeder's cylinder and twist the ends together, making several twists so that the wire makes an oval loop onto which you can hang the feeder.

Step 5

Fill the feeder with the sugar-water solution you have mixed, and remember to tip the feeder upright again over the sink if it is one that has the feeder holes beneath the cylinder that hold the sugar water. These are known as inverted feeders. Carry it over carefully to where you are going to hang it, and if you aren't tall enough, grab a chair. Trying to reach on your tiptoes often results in the sugar water spilling all over you. Hook the loop of the heavy-duty twist tie onto the C-shaped hook.

Article Written By Naomi Judd

Naomi M. Judd is a naturalist, artist and writer. Her work has been published in various literary journals, newspapers and websites. Judd holds a self-designed Bachelor of Arts in adventure writing from Plymouth State University and is earning a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from the University of Southern Maine.

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