I put my nectar feeders under the house overhang to keep them out of the rain.

Of course, spiders now use the feeder as an attachment point, but the hummers don't seem to mind.

Hi WetBug, thanks for sharing the great photo!! Thought of putting a feeder under the eaves, but was concerned about them flying into the window -- we had a robin do that last month and it made the most sickening loud thump, and when I went out to check there it was, dead. Also, you mentioned you have spiders making webs out from the feeder now, I've heard about hummingbirds getting caught in spider webs, sticky and attach to feathers I guess.

As far as I have seen, Hummingbirds love spiders. One of thier favorite foods. In the morning I see them going back and forth across my boxwood hedge, just picking them off, one by one. I am sure there are some very isolated happenings, where a bird actually gets caught in a spider web, unable to get out, but that must be very rare. I would guess this happens elswhere in the world, where the spider webs are larger, and stronger. I have also seen a picture of a hummingbird getting caught, and eaten by a preying mantis. Never seen that either, hope I never do!

-Brian

We have our feeders hanging from eves in front of windows so we can see the hummers. Before we knew about Anna's, we took the feeders down in the fall. We had Rufous come to the window in the spring looking for the feeders from the year before. Never have seen anything that resemble a window strike.

Agree with Brian about the spiders. They are one of hummers main protein sources and they use spider silk in the constrution of their nests.

We use to worry about birds feeding in the rain and had a couple feeders with roofs. It is a waste of time and money. There are no umbrellas over the flowers when they feed in nature whether it is raining or not. It took us a long time to figure out something so simple. They wouldn't be here if they couldn't feed in the rain.

Our regular birds only leave if there is a hawk about or a front is coming through and the rain is only going to last for a few minutes. When it is raining steady, the birds feed just like they do on a dry day. When it is cold and rainy there are even more birds because they need the food to convert to warmth. If they are leaving on cold rainy days, look for a hawk, cat or some other predator. BnB