Hang most bird feeders about five feet off the ground. That height keeps seed within easy reach for refills, lifts it above ground predators, and suits the songbirds you most want to see. The firm rule for squirrels is spacing, not height.
The five-foot rule and why it works
Five feet is a practical sweet spot. It is high enough to deter cats and rabbits, low enough that you can clean and refill without a ladder, and comfortable for finches, chickadees, cardinals, and other backyard regulars.
A few birds have preferences. Ground feeders like juncos and doves happily eat lower or off a platform, while some species feel safer a little higher with cover nearby. Placement near shelter matters as much as exact height, which our guide on where to hang a bird feeder walks through.
Height alone will not stop squirrels
Squirrels jump roughly four feet straight up and can leap eight to ten feet sideways from a launch point. So a feeder at five feet is still an easy target if a fence, branch, or roofline sits within jumping range.
The fix is the 5-7-9 rule: at least 5 feet off the ground, 7 feet from the nearest horizontal launch point, and 9 feet below any overhanging branch. Pair that spacing with a baffle for the real solution, covered in our picks for the best bird feeder poles and baffles.
Adjust if birds stay away
If nothing shows up, height is rarely the only cause. New feeders take time, and open placement with no nearby perch can spook cautious birds.
Move the feeder closer to a tree or shrub so birds have an escape route, and give it a couple of weeks. Our rundown of the reasons for no birds at your feeder covers the rest of the checklist.
