Montina (ReeMo147)
Feeding hummingbirds by hand just takes a little patience.
It’s one thing for a hummingbird to eat from a container that you’re holding. But it’s another thing to actually feel one of these jeweled fliers on your hand. Abigail Alfano from Covington, Louisiana was determined to touch a hummingbird without harming it, and with a little practice and patience, she finally did. Here’s how she did it.
Five Steps to Feeding Hummingbirds by Hand
- Begin by attracting hummingbirds to your yard by offering multiple sugar-water feeders.
- As the traffic around your feeding area increases, start spending time out there so the hummingbirds get used to you. Even if you scare them off at first, be patient. They will come back.
- Once they get used to your presence, hold the sugar-water feeder in your hand. If you are patient, they should eventually start feeding from the one you’re holding.
- When you have good hummingbird traffic one day, remove your other feeders. Next, place a small feeder filled with sugar water in the palm of your hand (Abigail used an old milk jug lid).
- Now you just have to sit outside and wait. If you choose a day with good hummingbird traffic and remove the other food sources, you’ll have better chances. Be patient and stick with it. You just might feel the flutter of a hummingbird in your hand!
mary lazaro says
My parents where they use to live had several humming bird feeders. The humming birds would come right to the table in front of them and fludder around them, it was awesome how friendly they can be. They are beautiful birds too.
Marla says
I have experienced the feeding of hummingbirds from my hand. I held my feeder next to my face and a camera in my other hand and took pictures. I felt the movement of the air from the flutter of his wings on my face! If I had been wearing bright red lipstick, I swear he would have kissed my lips!!
Mary says
A few years ago, a hummingbird flew into the cabin window and became stunned. It was not doing very well, so we decided to ‘nurse’ it back to health. A few hours later, we released it outside. Over the next few days a hummingbird kept returning to the feeder that seemed to look at me with a familiar gaze in it’s eyes. We had bonded. I always love feeding them whenever I go camping. They hate to see me leave.
Sandra says
I’ve been hand feeding hummingbirds for a long time. It’s an amazing experience to have them perch on your hand. I have a hand held feeder that I designed and sell so others can experience it also. I love being able to help others do this. It’s definitely something every hummingbird lover should try.
Linda Beckman says
They’ve come close to my face to check me out but I’ve never fed one from my hand. They’re such bundles of energy!
Rayne Petruzzi says
This past summer I held a humming bird in my hand and it walked up and down my arms, it finally flew off it was so amazing. I did get some great pictures
Susan Dunlap says
If you wear a bright red shirt or hat, they will usually come right up to you to investigate. This can speed along the process of getting them used to you.
Jill T. says
I have had the chance to feed hummingbirds from the hand and it is such a unreal moment. You want to freeze time and just look at this tiny bird. I say find a hand held feeder it is most incredible.
Kolleen says
Aren’t these creatures unreal?! They are fond of redwoods so they used to be abundant in my backyard. Once I was walking around a corner and a hummingbird almost ran I to my fan. Good thing they fly backwards! We both had a good scare and moved on. I love how you can hear them before you see them.
Charlene says
Please respond asap! I want to do this so I haven’t seen any but does that mean their not around. I want to try this on Tuesday Lords will is there a certain time I should go outside n how long should the kids n I wait? Thanks!
Amber says
Do you have hummingbirds that regularly come to your feeder? I’ve been putting the feeders up for a few years and they’re finally coming enough that I want to try this! My advice to attract more is to regularly change the sugar water (every week or so) and also maybe have some flowers in your yard to attract them. Once they are coming a lot and getting used to you, follow the steps on here! As for time of day, I haven’t really noticed if they come more at certain times.
Amber says
I would love to do this! I’ve fed them by holding a feeder in my hand, but always at places where there is a lot of hummingbird traffic. Never at home. I’m finally getting more hummers this year! My 22 monty old daughter loves watching them too
Amber says
I have held feeders before and had hummingbirds come to them. Finally I’ve had enough hummers at home come regularly to try it! I wrapped my pointer fingers around the perch at the bottom and had one sit briefly on my finger! Best feeling ever! So excited to try hand feeding once they get more used to me.
Elberta says
If you plan of hand feeding a hummingbird, please DO NOT use an open container! If the nectar gets on their wings/feathers, it is hard for them to preen it off. its sticky and they can’t thermogulate, and will succumb to hyperthermia and die!! please check out the page HELP SAVE OUR HUMMINGBIRDS on facebook!! http://www.facebook.com/helpsaveourhummingbirds
Sheri says
Listen to what Elberta says – no open containers! Please! Please! Please! Get the kind that are made to keep hummers safe.
Verna says
Hummingbirds should never be fed from an open container. One splash of sugar water on feathers acts like glue. They can not clean that out themselves. Feathers glued together with sugar water inhibit flight and body temp control. They can also fall out. If anyone is going to hand feed it should only be done with a hand feeder that has a lid. Sugar water on feathers is a very serious danger to them.
`Beth says
Thank you Verna and Elberta!! What you are saying is “Extremely Important!” Also, PLEASE READ ABOUT THE DANGERS OF RED DYE IN HUMMINGBIRD NECTER AND HOW YOU CAN EASLY MAKE YOUR OWN FRESH NECTER!
https://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/humm/food_red_dye.html
Kitty says
I agree. Orange juice is a great supplement.
Kitty says
Hummingbirds are my spirit animals. When I was four, we saved one and I got to hold it and feed it orange juice (It was a baby). Ever since, whenever I’ve been in hard times, I hear them chirping at me, and if I’m near a Bird Of Paradise flower, they will come right up to me, and I swear, looks at me like, “I understand. It will get better.” I have always wanted to learn more about them, and I would love nothing more than to be able to hold one of these majestic, beautiful souls.