1 feeder fights- would 2 feeders be better?

14 years ago

I have one feeder. Central AZ...Phoenix area. I have several hummingbirds that fly about. Seems like one has taken possession of the feeder and runs off all the rest. Would a 2nd feeder be helpful?

Oh...the birds sneak up on each other, get a sip and fly away. Maybe they are just playing. ;-)

All I get is maybe 2 hummingbirds on the feeder at any one time. One of the other hummers zoom in and chase the others away. So, I don't get generally multiples. Just trying to figure out a way to have more hummers stop by.

Suggestions?

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Comments (5)

koszta_kid
14 years ago
Last year I had so many hummers----to my delight. I had to put up 4 feeders. And will buy some more this year. So can soak and clean. I went through 20# of sugar this year.
melvalena
14 years ago
Where I live the hummers do not share feeders. They stake out their territory and guard it relentlessly.

One time Hubby did witness 2 sharing the same feeder, but it only lasted a moment. I've never see it.

I put up several feeders and try to keep them out of sight of each other. One hummer can't guard all the feeders at the same time so others get a chance to swoop in and re fresh themselves. I have them in the front and back and side yards. There are also lots of plant sources for nectar and plenty of bugs for them to eat.

Hummers are constantly swooping in and out all over the place but you have to be still and just wait and watch to catch a sight of them. Our hummers are pretty skittish.
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azbookworm
Original Author
14 years ago
I must not be a threat to my hummers because I can get pretty close to them. they dart about playing chase or tag, can't tell which. A couple of times recently they have almost flown into me!

Yes, mine are territorial. I have a female sitting on a tomato cage nearby guarding the feeder. Whenever another hummer comes by, she chooses sometimes to let them drink, some times not.

Just thought if I put out another one, would it make a difference. I do NOT get the flurry of hummers visiting me like my parents do in E. TN. I get singlets or couples but never a group or flock.

Thanks for your help.
mboston_gw
14 years ago
Yes, put out a second feeder and try to place it in an area out of the view from the other feeder and from where the most territorial bird sits to guard "its" choice feeder.
hummersteve
14 years ago
Of course it would be beneficial to have more feeding sources for the hummers to feed from. I find that early in the season in my area it is easier for hummers to defend a food source as there are not that many birds around. When and if more birds arrive it is more difficult as when one bird is in chase another sneaks in and feeds.

Koszta_kid got my attention on the #20 lbs of sugar. I use much more than that but Ive never kept count and last season having more hummers than ever before would have been my peak sugar season. I hope to keep a running ticker this year of how much sugar that I do use whether I have as many hummers or less.