Potential Downsides To Using A Window-Mounted Hummingbird Feeder

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Who doesn't want to draw pretty hummingbirds to the window with a window-mounted feeder? At first glance, window feeders might seem like they belong among the best hacks to attract hummingbirds to the garden. But before you get one, know that window-mounted feeders have a few downsides. For one thing, territorial hummingbirds might get into a fight with their own reflection in the window. They also could accidentally hit the window if they try to fight a real rival.

Hummingbirds fight each other often. Sometimes it's because they're territorial about their often hard-to-spot hummingbird nests, but more often it's over food sources. While we know that we can fill up their hummingbird feeders with as much nectar as we want, they don't know that. In their minds, the feeder could run out of sugar water at any time. You've no doubt seen jealous hummingbirds dive bomb others to try to keep their competitors away from the feeder — for window-mounted feeders, that might include their own reflections, too. 

Some researchers from "The Condor: Ornithological Applications" journal think that hummingbirds might be involved in window strikes at higher rates than some other birds. So, windows do have the potential to be dangerous for hummingbirds. But if you choose to have one at all, it's important that the window feeder is sturdy. Most window-mounted hummingbird feeders attach with suction cups, and if those don't work well, the feeder might fall.

Don't rush to throw away your window-mounted hummingbird feeder just yet. There are things you can do to make your feeder safer. To prevent the hummingbirds from striking the window, put decals or stickers on the window near the feeder to let the hummingbirds know there's glass there. The best design might just be repeating dots. This also helps the hummingbird avoid seeing its reflection. 

To address rival birds, set up several smaller feeders at different sites that are not in direct view of one another. Territorial birds will pick their favorite and (perhaps) be less likely to fight each other. Some smaller window feeders even come three to a set, like the iBorn window hummingbird feeder. Also, when putting up any feeder, always keep it in arm's reach so that you can change the nectar and clean it regularly — even daily in hot weather.

As the weather begins to cool in fall, don't forget when to take hummingbird feeders down (and why timing is so important). You don't want to take it down too soon and miss those migrating birds throughout the fall. Most any kind of feeder, whether it's a window-mounted hummingbird feeder or a hanging one, can help tired hummingbirds on their journeys back and forth.