3 Best Handheld Hummingbird Feeders

3 Best Handheld Hummingbird Feeders

AROMA TREES Handheld Hummingbird Feeders

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If you want to hand feed your little friends, the Aroma Trees handheld feeder is our top pick hands down. Thanks to its multi-use design, you can use these feeders to attract birds close to your window. But they are especially effective for those who are looking to attract birds to sip from the palm of your hand. The whole features five feeders and five suction cup mounts along with a cleaning perch. 

Hand Held Hummingbird Feeder Kit by Nature Bird

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This feeder kit includes literally everything you need to attract adorable friends in your hand. There is also a clearly written and easy to follow instruction card. The beautiful small pouch contains two feeders: hum-fi window feeder and hum-button palm. Plus, there is also an exciting beginners guide book included in this kit.

This small book explains different kinds of hummingbirds along with beautiful images. This kit includes a handy brush for thorough cleaning as well as two small feeders.

Maggift Trees Hummingbird Button Feeder Kit

Price on Amazon

Thanks to this cute little button, you are sure to become a hummingbird enthusiast in no time. This bright flower shaped feeder will catch the attention of tiny birds and attract hummers to land on your hand.

The package also includes an informative ebook along with a cleaning brush. With this handheld feeder in your hand, you and your kids will have great fun while having an up-close look at the hummers. 

Learn More: Best Nectar Guards for Hummingbird Feeders

How To Hand Feed Hummingbirds

Benefits of Hand-Feeding Hummingbirds

One thing is for sure, you have to have a lot of patience in order to hand-feed little fliers. However, if you sit still for a long time in your garden waiting for hummers to hover around, you start observing things that you may not otherwise witness. In this way, you actually feel in close touch with nature. 

It is observed that these tiny perky creatures tend to possess extraordinary memories. While some of them can learn colors, others can keep track of the specific locations they visited before. They seem to recognize their surroundings pretty well. 

For attracting hummers, you need to sit very still at the same spot in your yard or garden. It is better to put on a variety of bright colors since these birds are color-sensitive too. 

One of the most important things to consider while hand-feeding hummingbirds is that you must always clean feeders with hydrogen peroxide after every few days. This is crucial because if feeders are not cleaned carefully, microbes may start to appear within sweet nectar due to fermentation, making these birds sick. 

You’ll have a better chance of attracting hummers when they begin their migration in search of flowers or feeders. But once you are lucky enough to capture the attention of hummingbirds, they’ll end up becoming your loyal friends. This is because of their excellent memories which make them keep track of your garden on their next voyage. 

Important Steps for Hand-feeding Hummingbirds

There can be several ways to attract hummingbirds. However, since these birds slurp up nectar from flowers, you need to plant a wide variety of native nectar-feeding shrubs. It would be even better if you could make a garden for hummingbirds where you can also put out hummingbird feeders of various kinds. Also, it becomes super easy for you to hand-feed them if you already have a garden where visiting birds flock together.   

It is important to note down the time at which most birds zoom in for a healthy meal each day. Plus, just take notes of the number of hummers hanging around at your feeders. Try to learn the feeding habits of hummingbirds and keep track of them. 

Hummingbirds will keep coming back regularly to the feeding station time and time again. But if you want to hand feed them, just let them realize that you’re their friend. Make sure to sit and wait for them outside just a few feet away. Once the visiting birds show up at the feeders, they’ll notice you sitting still nearby. However, be sure to move just a little bit closer to the feeders each day. If you really want them to trust you and become loyal friends, you need to remain still all the time. Do not make any unnecessary noises or moves or else they’ll feel threatened. 

Avoid making a lot of changes to your outfit, sitting or standing posture or the time of your presence. If you want hummingbirds to get used to your presence, you need to be consistent with your behavior. Even though it can take several weeks for these birds to get accustomed to you, you can gain their trust pretty quickly if you do not make sudden changes.

Once you have come close enough to the feeder but the visiting birds still feel comfortable while you’re sitting nearby, it is now the time to hand feed them. Just try to hold the feeder in your hands, and wait for them to dine. While hand-feeding hummingbirds, try to remain as calm and still as possible. If you make a sudden move, it will startle the hummingbirds and they may fly away. Also, take away other nearby feeders so that they should focus on your hand feeder only. 

If you want to take this relationship a one step further, you can offer them to rest on your fingers and use these as a perch instead. Make sure to offer your hand right in front of the nectar-feeding station or cup the feeder in your hand. For a more intimate experience, just try to hold a small dish-shaped feeder in a closed fist. It can be something like a red-colored bottle cap or a tube with a floral pattern. Once hummingbirds get used to sipping nectar from your hand, you can drop a sweet liquid onto your hand and let them slurp it up directly from your hand. 

Learn More: All About Hummingbird Perches