Learn how to get birds to feed out of your hand.
What’s a bird in the hand worth? Well, you just may have to try this yourself to answer the question. For more than 20 years, I had the privilege of teaching fifth graders how to feed birds from their hands. Over the years, they showed their appreciation by nicknaming me “The Birdman”.
Now I’m retired, but the name has stuck. So, I’ve decided to put on my teaching hat one more time. I think you’ll enjoy this fun lesson—it can be learned right in your backyard. And the only “test” you’ll take will be administered by your feathered friends.
The Colder the Better
For starters, you’ll need to be patient and dress warmly. That’s because the colder the temperature, the better the chances of a bird accepting your offering.
You see, since birds need more fuel to warm their bodies in cold weather, they’re bolder when searching for food. This increases your chances of coaxing one to your hand. Here in Pennsylvania, I can hand-feed birds from October through April. Depending on the climate where you live, you can, too…just follow these basic steps:
- Attach a small container or feeder to a tree and fill it with sunflower seeds—the favorite food of friendly chickadees, nuthatches and titmice.
- Stock the feeder daily to keep the regular customers coming.
- Each day, stand a little closer to the feeder after you’ve filled it. Eventually, the birds will tolerate you standing right next to the feeder itself. Speak softly and gently to the birds as they land on the feeder.
- Now, instead of filling the feeder, remove the seed and fill a bowl or coffee mug with sunflower seeds and hold it near the feeder…then wait. Since the birds are accustomed to dining from the spot where you’re holding the container, it’s likely you’ll tempt a friend to hop aboard for a meal.
- Once the birds feed from the container you’re holding, you’re ready to try feeding them from your palm. Grab a handful of sunflower seeds and hold your hand flat and steady, right above the empty feeder.
A Matter of Trust
Your first visitor will probably land close by and stare at your offering. Stay calm! It’s tough, but you can do it. Soon, your new friend may flutter above your hand a time or two to test your reaction. When you gain its trust, the bird may quickly snatch a single seed from your open palm and head for the hills. Don’t worry, it’ll come back—and when it does, it may stay longer!
Hand-feeding gives you a rare chance to study a bird “up close and personal”. You’ll notice each species’ colorful markings and plumage, physical structure and unique personality.
Many of my students have said that hand-feeding birds is one of their favorite school memories. To tell the truth, it’s one of my favorite memories, too.
So, what’s a bird in the hand worth? I’ll tell you—it’s priceless!
Carrie Francisco says
Hi,
I have been able to feed a few birds by hand and you are right. It is momentous ! I get thrilled each and every time. I have been able to hand feed a Nuthatcher and one I believe was some type of finch. I am not super knowledgeable on types/species of birds. I just love them. I have attempted with others but haven’t been able to yet. I keep hoping. Thanks for the tips, will try them!.
Diane Gaspard says
I can’t wait to try this. I love the cardinals.
David Scudder says
I was about to ask if he ever got a cardinal to feed from his hand. They seem like they’re super-skiddish when I sit close to my feeder. The chickadees seem the least skiddish. Let me know if you ever get a cardinal to hand feed.
Marcia Good says
It is an amazing feeling for sure…they are so gentle and trusting….love it!
Louise Gagnon says
Feeding the birds is absolutely priceless…..I’ve so enjoyed doing many many time….I thank a perfect stranger for showing me that I could do it….I was watching him in an apple orchard feeding them….and then he offered me some food and voila….It started me feeding the birds….Love your magazine…
Lynne says
Oh, I am so excited and cannot wait to try this. Thank you, John Leeser, for a very explicit explanation of how to get closer to our beloved feathered friends. I sit on our deck for long periods of time and a few brave souls will come to the feeders; chickadees, house finches, nuthatches, hummers (they do drink the nectar I put out for them but just quick trips), but the other birds basically just grab a seed or two really quickly and fly off. Great article.
Jeff Jones says
I’ve done something very similar using Hugh Wiberg’s method of successive movement toward the feeder when it’s very cold and early. I’ve found since then that you can do it almost any time you’re willing to take down some feeders, stand still with food and see who’s interested. There’s always a surprise!
Pennie Freet says
Just started – a particular titmouse came down to my husband’s hand and keeps coming back – in less than a minute when the offer is there. Such fun to watch – but is it safe for the birds to get close to humans, forgetting the surroundings of i.e. cats, hawks, etc?
Linda Childers says
I had a chance to feed Hummers last year. I had back surgery and thought it might be something I could do then. I took down our feeders and sat them on my knees. Low and behold all of the hummers came to dinner. There must have been 15 or 20 as I had two feeders. I was a delight to feel their wings brush my hair and face. It was a dream come true….. Now I think I will try to feed the birds. It does sound like so much fun!! Thanks for showing us how.
Laurie says
Linda that must’ve been an amazing experience. I wish that would happen to me.
Madeline Edwards says
I’m wondering what has happened to “Bill,” the wooden man you dress in your clothes to get the birds to accept food, first from Bill’s hand, and then you pull a switeroo, put the clothes on yourself and sit in the chair with a food offering in your hand. Beats sitting out in freezing weather waiting for the birds to get used to “human” contact.
Paula Surber Jacobs says
Do you still have the plans for Bill the guy you dressed up in clothes with his hand out.
Would love to add this to my yard…
I don’t have that article anymore.
Nancy Dodd says
I have worked with children in schools & zoos involving bird & other animal programs. NEVER BEFORE HAVE I SEEN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TOUCHING ANY BIRD OR OTHER ANIMAL WHERE WASHING YOUR HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER ANY CONTACT! I love your magazine, however am very disappointed in this article! Birds are wild and can carry many kinds of diseases which can be spread through hand contact!
Lisa says
Oh Christ, here we go. There’s always a “disappointed” comment from some old marm on every post.
Marinevet says
Don’t get yourself in such and uproar. I’m sure the kids washed their hands before they ate. A little dirt from animals never hurt anyone. Otherwise us farmers would never have a very long life.
Frank says
Nancy, it is not polite to us all caps as this indicates that you are yelling or screaming what you typed out. Was that your intent or were you simply offering kind advice.
Hard to tell, so the reason for the negative comments.
Jeanne says
I learned to do that that with hummingbirds through reading an article in the Birds and Blooms but never thought about doing that with the other birds. I am looking forward to trying it! Thanks for sharing that with us!
kitty says
i used a method sort of like this to be among the deer in our pecan orchard where their favorite wild foods grew. i took a chair and sat it at edge of field , then sat in in for a few days very still. every few days i would move it alittle closer to their feeding area. until finally i was sitting among deer. very still and very slowly move if i have too. also this…when i would call the cats to eat on back porch a few of the deer would come to the porch watching the cats eat.
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Renee Driscoll says
I can’t wait to try this with the Chicadee’s visiting my feeders. A few years ago I was house sitting for a friend who lived in the mountains. There were about 25 to 30 hummingbirds visiting the feeders every day. I sat at the table on the deck and after a few days the hummers would visit me at the table. One day a hummer flew right in front of me just a few inches from my face. It hovered there for a minute as I sat very still, then it flew down to my steno pad I was writing in and put its beak into each hole of my steno pad looking for nectar. I sat very still as it did this and then it hovered in front of my face again before flying back to the feeders.
Paula Surber Jacobs says
Do you still have the plans for Bill the guy you dressed up in clothes with his hand out
Paula Surber Jacobs says
Can some one please research bill the wooden man.
Really want to add him to my back yard