Finally, after weeks of only occasionally seeing hummingbirds at my backyard hummingbird feeder, during the past few days five or more are now vying for the opportunity to drink sugar water from the feeder. When this happens, what do you do? Some say you should scatter a number of small feeders each equipped for a small number of feeding portals across your yard. Others opt for replacing a single small feeder with one that has eight to more than a dozen spots to feed. Which is best?
As a rule, since hummingbirds are so territorial, it seems to make sense that a number of small feeders equipped with places to feed placed at different locations positioned at different locations would cut down territorial disputes among the birds and allow more hummers to feed without expending a lot of time and energy trying to compete for food at a single feeder. Consequently, employing this strategy might attract more hummers to your yard than a single huge feeder.
Since every yard is different, the best way to find what works best for you is to experiment. Try feeding the birds with a large feeder for a few days and then replace it with multiple feeders.
I would be interested in learning what works best for you.
I put up 4 and it works. Each one has the territorial one so at least 4 come and can drink.
Tim, thanks for sharing the report of your success. I’m glad things worked out for you.
I think mine may have been on the nest already. Yesterday we had a young male going around the clear bottom of the feeder, not figuring out how to put his bill into the ports. Today we’ve had 6 male and female eating from 2 multi-port feeders. I tried to tell if one of the males is the same young one from yesterday, but there were 3 which had shorter tails than the others. Don’t short tails indicate younger birds? Thanks, Terry. Florence Story, Thomson, GA
Florence,
I have never tried to id young by the length of their tail, however, young males can be separated from adults by black streaks that run down their necks. Young females look identical to adult females.
Last year the consumption of hummingbird sugar water increased dramatically quite suddenly. The feeder was mounted on a hanger screwed to the fence. It was 2 feet from the fence. When I put out a camera, I found raccoons reaching out, grabbing the feeder, and drinking until it was drained. I ended up moving the feeders to a long string suspended from a tree limb such that the raccoons could not reach it. I would be happy to send a photo if you are interested.
Joan,
WHAT A GREAT IDEA! YES, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PICTURE OF YOUR SETUP. SEND IT TO tjwoodduck@bellsouth.net
What a great sighting! I am not surprised as jays are some of our smartest birds. I cannot imagine how exciting it is to have a jay display this behavior. Thanks for sharing it with others.
I see that your hummingbird feeder has the round holes. The last time I bought feeders, the only ones I found like that had slits instead of holes. I have been concerned about that difference, and wondered what your thoughts are on the ones with the slit-type holes.
I have been wondering about the same thing. However, I they seem to use both equally well. I have going to have to research this subject. If I come up with anything, I will let you know.
Thank you. Looking forward to knowing if there is anything on this.