It's as easy as 1...2...3!
It's more simple than you think! Here are some easy steps for you to follow so that you can tame hummingbirds too!
What you need:
1. A feeder (you can have several)
2. Nectar- it may come in powder, just mix it with water (it's optional to have it clear or red-- red dye could possibly be harmful to your birds. If you want red dye, get the advanced kind that says it won't be harmful)
3. A tree or object to hang the feeder(s) on (you can also hang them on poles with hooked ends)
4. Red clothing (shirt and hat)
5. The ability to stand still
6. Patience
What you need:
1. A feeder (you can have several)
2. Nectar- it may come in powder, just mix it with water (it's optional to have it clear or red-- red dye could possibly be harmful to your birds. If you want red dye, get the advanced kind that says it won't be harmful)
3. A tree or object to hang the feeder(s) on (you can also hang them on poles with hooked ends)
4. Red clothing (shirt and hat)
5. The ability to stand still
6. Patience
Here's how you do it:
Taming hummingbirds with a feeder-
Gaining their trust
The first thing you need to do is hang your feeders up. Watch the feeders. When you see the hummingbirds have arrived, wait a few days so that they can get used to their new surroundings. After that, wear your red clothes and stand about four feet away from the feeder. Hold very still for about 5-10+ minutes. Do this for two days. After about two days, stand about three feet away and repeat this process. Then after those two days, stand about two feet away from the feeder. Repeat the process again and again. Remember- it takes a little patience. Do this for about 10 days, but don't get much closer- two feet is a really good and comfortable distance for the hummers. Have a camera to take videos and pictures on- it just makes it more fun.
The real deal
After that, take a / the feeder down. Either hold it or sit in a chair and set it on your lap. For better results, (for setting it on your lap) sit in a red chair. (Hummingbirds are attracted to the color red- we think that hummingbirds like that color because their favorite flower is red).
If the hummingbirds land on your feeder (or you) then you have gained their trust. If they don't land on your feeder, then you need to repeat the process of standing there. Remember-it takes a little patience. Don't worry, you'll get it.
If the hummingbirds land on your feeder (or you) then you have gained their trust. If they don't land on your feeder, then you need to repeat the process of standing there. Remember-it takes a little patience. Don't worry, you'll get it.
Hand feeding hummingbirds
Hopefully you saw the video on the home page. Here's how you do it: first, you need a small container, preferably red. It could be a lid to a small jar. The next thing that you need to do is make sure that the container is clean and dust free. You can also use your hand (the nectar is kind of sticky- but if you do use your hand, then you need to make sure that your hands are clean and washed) Next, fill it with some nectar, then head outside and walk over to your feeders. When you step outside, make sure the coast is clear. You don't want to scare your hummers away (but they'll come back if you do), so make sure you don't see any. Then, slowly approach the feeder(s). If a hummingbird lands on your feeder while you are walking towards it, just stand still until it flies away.
If you have multiple feeders, choose to stand by the one they seem to like the most, but sometimes they like each feeder equally. If you just have one feeder, stand by it. Now, all you need to do is stand by that feeder. You need to have the container filled with nectar (or your hand) and hold it out by the feeder, hold very still and be very quiet. If you don't see a hummingbird, don't panic, just be patient. Hummingbirds eat a big meal, then they fly away for five minutes to digest, then come back to feed again (they feed all day long).
This takes a lot patience. Remember to wear red- it helps a lot! A couple of hummingbirds almost landed on my red hat that I wear outside a lot.
When a hummingbird darts down to a feeder while you are patiently standing there, you might get startled. It's ok if this happens, and if it flies away, it will come back. Try not to shake while there is a hummingbird nearby, this happens to me a lot- probably because I get excited. If this happens, just relax your body and take a deep breath.
-Watch the video on the home page.
If you have multiple feeders, choose to stand by the one they seem to like the most, but sometimes they like each feeder equally. If you just have one feeder, stand by it. Now, all you need to do is stand by that feeder. You need to have the container filled with nectar (or your hand) and hold it out by the feeder, hold very still and be very quiet. If you don't see a hummingbird, don't panic, just be patient. Hummingbirds eat a big meal, then they fly away for five minutes to digest, then come back to feed again (they feed all day long).
This takes a lot patience. Remember to wear red- it helps a lot! A couple of hummingbirds almost landed on my red hat that I wear outside a lot.
When a hummingbird darts down to a feeder while you are patiently standing there, you might get startled. It's ok if this happens, and if it flies away, it will come back. Try not to shake while there is a hummingbird nearby, this happens to me a lot- probably because I get excited. If this happens, just relax your body and take a deep breath.
-Watch the video on the home page.
How to hold hummingbirds
Well, first of all, you'll need their trust. And you'll probably need to hold the feeder and have them land on it first before you can handle them. So what you need to do is this:
Go up to your feeder. If you have several, choose the one they seem to like the most.
Spread your thumb and index fingers and place them around the rim of the feeder. While I was experimenting with this technique, I found out that you need to make your fingers the same height as the rim (the bar that they sit on). While I was doing this, I found that I needed to lower my fingers around the rim because some hummingbirds would kind of slide off while they were bending over to feed.
Some people tape up all but one of the holes then place their finger under the open hole. This forces the hungry hummer to sit on their finger instead of letting the trust come naturally. To me this just seems cruel, so please don't do it.
Do NOT be abusive to hummingbirds. It is a cruel and horrible thing to do- I'm not saying that taping up all but one of the holes is abusive, it's just kind of rude. What I am saying is don't hurt them. They are beautiful creatures that make this world a more beautiful place to live in.
Go up to your feeder. If you have several, choose the one they seem to like the most.
Spread your thumb and index fingers and place them around the rim of the feeder. While I was experimenting with this technique, I found out that you need to make your fingers the same height as the rim (the bar that they sit on). While I was doing this, I found that I needed to lower my fingers around the rim because some hummingbirds would kind of slide off while they were bending over to feed.
Some people tape up all but one of the holes then place their finger under the open hole. This forces the hungry hummer to sit on their finger instead of letting the trust come naturally. To me this just seems cruel, so please don't do it.
Do NOT be abusive to hummingbirds. It is a cruel and horrible thing to do- I'm not saying that taping up all but one of the holes is abusive, it's just kind of rude. What I am saying is don't hurt them. They are beautiful creatures that make this world a more beautiful place to live in.
Have fun!
The most important part is to just have fun! :D