Getting up close to hummingbirds | Hey Ray

One of my favorite birds is the hummingbird. 

They are like the fighter jets of the bird world. They are fast, agile, and quite unique. When a hummingbird hovers, their wings can flap up to 70 times per second, according to the Audubon Society! Since they are able to hover and are the only birds that can fly backwards, that makes them an easy bird to have a close encounter with.

If you want to have hummingbirds come up to you and possibly drink from your hand, there are some things you can do to increase your chances.  The first thing is to get hummingbirds to come to your yard.

A hummingbird feeder with a 4:1 mixture of water and sugar works. That means for every cup of water, add ¼ cup of sugar. Heat it up until the sugar completely dissolves, then cool it off to room temperature and put it in the feeder. We call this "nectar".  

Hopefully, that nectar attracts a hummingbird to your yard. If not, put flowers near the feeder and hang a red or orange ribbon from your feeder.  This will make it a little more enticing.

You can purchase a handheld feeder, rings, and other small hummingbird feeders or accessories. Once you have a visitor to your main feeder, fill the accessory up with the sugar water mixture and place it near the main feeder. Once the hummingbirds start paying attention to that, it is time to try your first interaction!

To have a better chance of a close-up interaction, move the main feeder and make sure it is hidden.  

This will take away an option for the hummingbirds and make it more likely they will try your handheld feeder. You will need to hold still near the place where the hummingbirds usually visit. Our hummingbirds stop over about every 15 minutes, so that is about as long as I have to wait. Your hummingbirds may be on another schedule.  

Just be patient!

You will want to make sure you change your feeder and accessory nectar regularly, especially during warmer times.