When buying a bird feeder, be sure to consider how you will hang it. Although most bird feeders have a hook or loop on top to make them easy to hang, you may need an extra hook to get it closed.
Adding a bird feeder to your backyard brings joy, beauty, and activity right outside your window. But simply setting up a feeder isn’t enough Proper placement and hanging are key to attracting birds and keeping them safe. Follow this guide to learn all the essentials of hanging your bird feeder correctly.
Where to Hang a Bird Feeder
Finding the optimal spot to hang your feeder takes some thought. There are several factors to consider for a location that both you and the birds will love:
Safety
The #1 priority is making sure birds feel secure Choose a spot near trees, shrubs, or other cover so birds have a place to shelter as they wait for a feeding perch. This allows them to watch for predators Avoid wide open spaces.
Convenience
Pick a spot you can easily reach for cleaning and filling the feeder. Near a door or path is ideal, especially in harsh weather. Don’t hang feeders too far from shelter during winter.
Visibility
Birds won’t visit if they can’t find the feeder! Choose a location visible from trees and roof lines where birds perch and fly. Position it where you can enjoy the show through a window.
Accessibility
Prevent easy access by squirrels and other feeder pests. A good rule of thumb is to hang feeders at least 10 feet from trees, fences, or manmade structures. Squirrel baffles also discourage them from jumping on nearby feeders.
Sun and Shade
While birds will visit feeders in sun or shade, nectar spoils more quickly in direct sun. For hummingbird feeders, choose a shaded area or one with morning sun and afternoon shade.
Height for Hanging Bird Feeders
Most small birds prefer feeders positioned 5-6 feet high. This allows them to survey their surroundings for potential danger. Exceptions are ground feeders birds like mourning doves who prefer platform feeders or tray feeders placed directly on the ground.
If you hang multiple feeders, vary the heights for visual interest. This also accommodates different species. Just be sure the bottom of any feeder is at least 5 feet high so cats can’t jump up and swat at birds.
Hummingbird feeders can hang a bit lower since hummingbirds feed while hovering. Aim for 3-5 feet high, sheltered from wind. Also make sure they hang well away from windows so hummingbirds don’t collide with the glass.
Bird Feeder Hanging Methods
Bird feeders come equipped with built-in hanging loops or wires, making them ready to hang. Here are some common methods:
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Shepherd’s hooks – Simple and decorative. Insert into ground or mounting bracket.
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Deck hooks – Screw into wooden deck railings.
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Chain – Links allow adjusting hang height. Use S-hooks to connect.
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Rope – Braided nylon or poly rope won’t decay outdoors.
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Wall mounts – Hooks or brackets allow hanging on walls/eaves.
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Poles with adjustable arms – Often used to hang multiple feeders.
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Trees – Not recommended as squirrels can access feeders.
Whatever method you choose, make sure it’s sturdy enough to handle the weight of a fully loaded feeder. For extra security, use carabiners or clips so feeders don’t come crashing down.
Extra Tips for Optimal Bird Feeding
Follow these additional tips to create an attractive and safe bird feeding station:
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Move feeders periodically to allow ground below to recover from seed hulls and droppings.
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Use a tree limb trimmer to prune back any branches obstructing flight paths to your feeder.
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Incorporate water like a bird bath, fountain, or small pond to provide birds with fresh water.
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Add elements like brush piles, log perches, or evergreens to provide extra shelter and roosting spots.
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Avoid using treated wood for feeder poles or placing feeders over lawns treated with chemicals.
With the right setup, you’ll quickly attract gorgeous feathers to your yard. Just be patient if birds don’t discover your feeder right away. It may take a few weeks for them to find it. Enjoy this relaxing hobby that brings nature right to you!
FAQs About Hanging Bird Feeders
Still have questions about the best way to hang your bird feeder? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions.
How high should a bird feeder be off the ground?
The ideal height for most feeders is 5-6 feet high. This allows birds to perch safely. Exceptions are platform feeders meant to sit on the ground and hummingbird feeders which can hang a bit lower at 3-5 feet high.
Where should bird feeders be placed in the yard?
Look for a spot about 10 feet from trees, fences, or other structures. Birds prefer feeders near native plants, shrubs, or other natural cover for quick shelter. Make sure you can see the feeder from indoors.
What should I use to hang a bird feeder?
Shepherd hooks, chains, rope, deck hooks, and feeder poles with adjustable arms allow you to hang feeders securely. Choose hardware that can handle the weight when full of seed. Avoid tree branches.
How do I keep squirrels from climbing the feeder hanger?
Add a squirrel baffle such as the Yankee Flipper above the feeder to block access. Or set a feeder pole in a wide pan filled with water to create a moat squirrels can’t cross.
Where should hummingbird feeders be hung?
Hummingbirds do best with feeders hung in shaded spots protected from wind. Near flower gardens or trees is ideal. Hang them 3-10 feet high and well away from windows to prevent collisions.
Can I hang more than one bird feeder together?
Absolutely! Grouping multiple feeders together creates an attractive focal point. Vary the height and types of feeders. Just be sure to space them appropriately so birds don’t jostle each other mid-air.
What precautions should I take when hanging bird feeders?
Use sturdy hardware that can handle the weight of full feeders. Check for signs of wear over time. Take feeders in during extreme weather or storms to prevent damage. Periodically clean and disinfect feeders to keep birds healthy.
Enhance Your Yard for Happy Birds
A properly hung bird feeder is just part of creating an attractive habitat. Here are some other ways to make your yard appealing:
Landscaping for Birds
Choose native plants with berries and seeds birds seek out. Evergreen trees and shrubs give year-round shelter.
Water Sources
Install a bird bath, fountain, or small backyard pond for drinking and bathing. Move water sources or add a heater in winter.
Nesting Sites
Provide nesting boxes suited to species in your region. Keep them clean and dry.
Winter Shelter
Retain brush piles pruned branches create natural roosting spots during cold months.
Reduced Pesticides
Limit or eliminate chemical pesticides and fertilizers which can harm birds who ingest treated insects.
Safe Windows
Apply decals, screens, or UV liquid to glass windows and doors so birds avoid fatal collisions.
Follow these hanging tips, and your backyard will quickly become a birdwatcher’s paradise! Listening to their songs and seeing their bright plumage brings joy. A well-placed feeder makes it easy to enjoy nature’s beauty right outside your door.
How to Hang a Bird Feeder on a Tree Limb With Branch Hooks
You might think that hanging a feeder from a tree branch is simple, but it can be hard to do. Before you put them up, you should almost always have a good baffle over them unless you want squirrels to cover your feeder. (See my post on Keeping Squirrels Off a Branch Hung Feeder. ) Second, trees position their limbs on their own terms. The height and direction of the limb may complicate hanging a feeder. You also likely don’t want to use anything that will stop the limb from growing and hurt it over time. Enter the branch hook.
Most of the time, you need a heavy steel branch hook with a wide, partially open curve on one end to fit the tree branch when hanging a feeder from it. The other end should be a much smaller, but still open, hook to hold the feeder.
The size of the wide end will be determined by the thickness of your tree branch. That end’s curve should be very wide so that if the branch gets wider over time, the hook won’t cut into it. The length of the whole thing will depend on the needs of the situation.
How to Hang a Bird Feeder on a Pole with Hooks
If you hang the feeder from the arm of a pole instead, you don’t need a branch hook with a very wide end. Most pole arms are fairly narrow. So in this case, typically both ends of the hook are fairly small and may even be identical. And sometimes you don’t need an extra hook at all.
When hanging feeders on a pole, you’ll want a barrel baffle on the pole to keep squirrels off. The feeders’ bottoms must hang above the baffle’s top for it to work. (See my post on how to how to properly baffle a feeder pole. So, you might need to think about the length of the hook based on how high the feeder(s) are.