Be Surrounded By Happy, Healthy Hummingbirds
4 Easy Steps from Expert Hummingbird Rescuer Terry Masear
By Thea Fiore-Bloom, Ph.D
Why Set Up Your First Hummingbird Feeder?
If you’re reading this, you’re a sweetheart who wants to help, feed, and see hummingbirds.
Thank you!
So let’s get you all hooked up.
You’ll be surprised at how inexpensive (like ten bucks) and how easy (like 10 minutes) it is to set and maintain a hummingbird feeder.
And here’s why you should do it this very weekend.
“Hummingbirds are so magical to look at, they give people who watch them a spiritual boost,” said Terry Masear, author of The Fastest Thing on Wings: Rescuing Hummingbirds in Hollywood.
They give us a feeling that there is light and life and hope,”
This hope and magic bird stuff is backed by science.
A recent study put out by the American Institute of Biological Sciences suggested that the more birds people saw in an afternoon, the lower their reported levels of anxiety and/or depression.
We creatives are especially sensitive to chaos, tension, and political infighting.
We could all use a “nature intervention” to help us stay grounded so we can navigate through this charged time with intelligence and calm.
Why not try putting up a hummingbird feeder?
Or give one as a gift to a gentle friend – before the next election :).
Everyone I have given a simple feeder to who has put it up has been irrationally excited and appreciative of the natural magic it has brought to their window.
So let’s dive into the 4 quick steps ornithologists and hummingbird rescuers say you’ll need to take to help you and your area hummers thrive.
So what’s the best hummingbird feeder to buy?
Step 1: What Feeder Do I Buy?
Get Your First Feeder for Under 10 Bucks
You don’t need a fancy feeder.
Those glass feeders are gorgeous, but are too heavy, especially when full.
Glass feeders fall and break or weigh branches down.
Simple is best.
Buy a feeder where the base screws off because those feeders are the easiest to clean.
Also, you want a feeder where hummingbirds can perch while drinking.
Several ornithologists I spoke to agree with me that feeders like the “First Nature 3051” are a great first feeder choice.
The First Nature 3051 has a seating rail, is easy to clean, and is only $10.
Sometimes they are sold in packs of two feeders.
Get two, I like to have one in the pantry when my current feeder gives up the ghost.
Or hang two at the same time.
But read on to find out where to place the second one so hummers dont fight.
Don’t forget to pick up an inexpensive set of wee brushes to clean out the plastic openings the hummingbirds sip the nectar through.
Speaking of nectar, it’s so simple to make.
That’s your step two.
Step 2: What Do I Put in My First Feeder?
Here’s the Recipe For the Secret Sauce
“Just use 4 parts hot water to one part white sugar.
It’s the closest thing to what they are drinking in the wild,” says Kurt Leuschner, Professor of Natural Resources and Field Ornithology at College of the Desert.
“You don’t even have to boil the water.
Hot tap water is sufficient to dissolve the sugar.”
(Let the water cool before pouring it into the feeder.)
Here’s what NOT to put in your feeder.
“You should NOT ever use sugar in the raw, brown sugar, or honey in a hummingbird feeder.”
– Kurt Leuschner (Ornithologist)
You may think it’s better for hummingbirds.
But those sugars can get stuck in the crop (throat) of hummingbirds and cause them big problems.
You also don’t need the red liquid sold in Home Depot or your fancy-schmancy garden center.
“Red-dyed liquid food is one of the biggest frauds on the market.”
– Terry Maesar (Author and Hummingbird Rescuer)
The ironic thing is, hummingbirds don’t even like that red liquid.
Avoid it for the same reason we had a red dye scare in human foods,” says Masear.
“Not only is it not necessary, but the chemicals it contains could be harmful to the hummingbirds.”
I heat filtered water in my tea kettle and make a big batch of hummingbird nectar every two weeks or so, and keep the extra in a mason jar in the fridge.
That makes refills easy.
Okay, you made the nectar, now for the exciting part.
Where Do I Put My First Feeder?
Step 3: Here’s How To Find The Best Spot
You can put a feeder right up close to your window, like within a foot of it.
“Super close is okay, 20 feet away is okay, but 5 -10 feet away is not good.”
“Hummingbirds can slam into windows when they’re trying to escape a predator like a Cooper’s hawk,” says Leuschner.
The other thing to keep in mind about placement is this: those little flying jewels we love are actually territorial badasses.
If you are lucky enough to have a yard, Leuschner recommends you maximize the number of hummingbirds using your yard by spreading feeders out, placing each out of the sightline of other feeders.
Like at opposite ends of your home.
So one feeder goes on the east side of the house and one on the west.
How To Attract and Keep Hummingbirds Around
Final Step: Just Avoid This Crucial Mistake When Setting Up Your Hummingbird Feeder
Want to know the real secret to attracting and keeping hummingbirds around?
Fresh sugar water.
“People call me and say, ‘My feeder has been out for a month and I still don’t have a hummingbird,’” says Masear.
And I say: ‘Hello! Hummingbirds are attracted to fresh sugar water.
You should change the water every 2-3 days in hot, sunny locations.’
With the high temperatures, feeders need to be kept almost impeccably clean.”
If the water is cloudy or you see mold, take the feeders inside or change the water right away. Masear warns that mold can cause deadly fungal infections in the throats of hummingbirds.
Just clean out your feeder with hot, soapy water and a little brush every few days. If you do get mold, use a diluted bleach solution to whisk it away.
This is the inexpensive, great little brush set I use to keep the feeder rims and openings in the little plastic flowers free of mold.
Sounds like too much work?
Try this.
Delegate, delegate, delegate.
Kids love to feed and protect hummers.
Let them in on the whole process if possible.
They may surprise you.
Hummingbird Attraction Requires Patience and Sometimes Flowers…
Don’t worry if it takes a few days or even a few weeks for hummingbirds to find your feeder.
If you want to boost your bird (and butterfly) attraction power, you can try planting a pot of lantana, red cardinal flower, red trumpet vine, or butterfly bush, or this mix of fun seed packets below near your hummingbird feeder.
I bet you’ll find it was all worth the trouble, if for one reason alone.
It’s such a breathtaking moment when you spot the very first hummingbird at your own feeder.
I bet you’ll gasp with wonder.
Or want to make art.
Do you love hummingbirds?
Have a feeder?
Got questions?
Let me know in the Comments below.
Hummingbird Live Web Cam
If you don’t live in hummingbird country or you just want to see hummingbirds building their nests and feeding their young up close, check out the world-famous, breathtaking Bella Live Web Cam; it’s free.
If you liked this piece, check out these other Charmed Studio posts:
- How Tea Helps Artists: & Tea Lovers Booklist
- Aromatherapy Toolkit for Artists: Prosperity and Peace
- Meditations For Artists: Reduce Your Fear and Ignite Your Creativity
- Does it Really Matter How Many Instagram Followers You Have if You’re an Artist?
- How Do I Drive Traffic to My Art Website? 9 Heart-Centered Ways (That Don’t Involve Social Media)
- Black Artists Matter: 5 Easy Ways To Support Artists of Color
This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. This means if you buy books or stuff via my blog I may receive a tiny commission and do a happy dance. There is no extra fee for you. I only link to items I personally use and love; products that I think help heart-centered artists.
I absolutely love this post! I just wonder how bad my anxiety and stress would be if I didn’t have hummingbirds coming to my window all hours of the day! I love these creatures so much. We have so many hummingbirds coming to our feeder. They are very aggressive and they fight over the feeder all the time. I actually had a regular I called him red and he used to protect the hummingbird feeder and he didn’t like others there. I haven’t seen him in a while so I hope he’s OK. My beautiful mom lives on in the hummingbirds. Thank you again for this.
It’s cool you talk about your mom living on in the hummingbirds Denise. They are little miracle birds,messengers- so alive in the day and they slow their bodies and blood flow down to such an unbelievable slow rate at night. They dwell in two realms in life.
Many native peoples have religious beliefs that involve hummingbirds and the afterlife.
Here’s just one of many:
“The Aztecs came to believe that every warrior slain in battle rose to the sky and orbited the sun for four years and then they became hummingbirds. In the afterlife these transformed heroes fed on the flowers in the gardens of paradise, while engaging from time to time in mock battles to sharpen their skills.”-Maria Arrieta
So glad. It is a stressful time but art will get us through. Thanks for reading the post Jen.
I feel less stressed just reading about these sweet birds! YAY!
Hi Sylvia,
Kurt the ornithologist did mention to me that hummingbirds have a preference list:
1.Their first choice and the majority of their diet is ideally composed of the tiny insects that hang around certain flowers.
2. Floral Nectar
2. Simulated Nectar from Feeders
So in your bountiful garden they may have plenty of 1 and 2 and no need for three.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment, I appreciate it.
Have a beautiful and peaceful August.
What a lovely idea to offer stress relief with a blog about hummers, Thea! The photos and art works are beautiful. I never had much luck with humming bird feeders. I believe this is due to our butterfly garden which attracts them and other pollinators.
Denise! It’s so cool you know your Allens from your Annas etc. You pro you. And what a drinker you have there, that is wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to read this and comment, I appreciate it.
I am loving this post Thea…and jumping out of bed to clean and refresh my hummingbird feeder right now! I have one little Allen hummer that protects his feeder and pretty much empties it every few days…I want to keep him healthy! Thanks for the tips and your wonderful posts…I look forward to reading your interview when I finish with my hummingbird feeder! Happy Saturday🧡
I’ve been feeding hummers for years (the feeder in your article is the best). I look forward to putting out the feeders every spring as soon as the overnight temps get above fifty degrees. They are magical little birdies. Thanks for the story!
Oh, good tip about overnight temps Janet. Glad you like that feeder too! I always try others and end up going back to it. I bought a beautiful swirly glass one this year and in an inexplicable, I Love Lucy moment the very first time I put it up I dropped it and crashed it on patio tile. Back to First Nature 3051. Also, I’ve tried others the hummingbirds won’t drink from because the liquid level is too shallow etc.
Thanks so much for commenting!
That is so true about birds. They are so calming. I have magpies (Australian bird) that often choose to hang out in my yard and I feel so blessed. 🙏
Magpies are magical. There are many myths and folk and fairy tales about them right?
Dear Thea,
It is a great honor to be featured in your beautiful and practical article on hummingbirds. Thank you so much.
I love the photographs, and especially the painting by Susan Crouch. What wonderful colors.
I just joined facebook yesterday; I punched the button and hope it went..
Yesterday I was playing a CD of Clementi sonatinas, and happened to open the door into the garden. A hummingbird was dancing around the feeder, with the sun shining on its wings. If you happen to know the Clementi sonatinas—they are lightness in every note. Perfect for a dancing hummingbird!
Thank you—Happy Spring!
Lee
Hey Lee, You are so welcome. Your Spring art is as beautiful as a Clementi sonatina, thanks for introducing me to those compositions. They are wonderful songs to watch hummingbirds by. I want to put the link in here for any readers who want to give this music a listen. This one is played beautifully by Fraz Ventura. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fB9GzcmAX4.
Hey Lee, You are so welcome. Your Spring art is as beautiful as a Clementi sonatina, thanks for introducing me to those compositions. They are wonderful songs to watch hummingbirds by. I want to put the link in here for any readers who want to give this music a listen. This one is played beautifully by Fraz Ventura. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fB9GzcmAX4
Here’s the poem…
Ma and Pa – especially Ma – endowed me with a love of birds, and I gave her this scribble for her birthday one year. It’s more doggerel probably than anything, and I apologize profusely to Robert Frost for my poor imitation of his style, but pass it on to you. I hope you’ll enjoy the feeling behind it.
“There are those who would say
a day’s work is done
by labouring from dawn to setting sun.
And it’s not my place to speak
unasked, I’ll make no argument
regarding how their lives are spent.
They won’t ask… I won’t offer.
But certainly my work is incomplete
if I’ve not tasted something sweet.
Sweet. It’s true, my work is that,
with saw or hammer in my hand
or turning up the good dark land.
I find comfort and a joy
tempered by the sweat of my brow.
That’s not the kind of sweetness that I speak of now.
That kind is earned. The other, a gift,
a sudden rustling thrash of wingbeats
as a Towhee leaves its scratching feet.
Or when I recognize the harsh
cry of crows in spruce trees,
and marvel at a Cooper’s Hawk as it flees,
Swift and sure, unerringly it dashes
to leave behind its tormentors,
bursting from the stand, it feints, and then re-enters.
I won’t be rude in spirit and
deny the gift of the love of birds
of all shapes and sizes, seen or simply heard.
I ask instead the indulgence of
those I work with, side by side,
the birder’s curiousity in me won’t hide.
I’d rather stand a moment from my task
and drink a short draught of sweet birdsong
before stooping back to labour long.
The boards I saw won’t take flight.
The hammer and nails won’t slip from my hand
when I look to see what gull or hawk
threw its shadow on the land.
How poor I should be were it not for
this gift! Birds, what pleasure!
A good day’s work, without measure.”
Howdy Thea,
As always, inspiring as well as informing. Nature has been my healer for my lifetime, and birds a big part of that. We are blessed around here with a mad plethora of birds, from owls, eagles, and hawks, to ravens, jays, five different kinds of woodpeckers, warblers, thrushes, and many more, including hummingbirds. I usually spend at least a couple of hours out working in the garden each day, and the antics, play, hunt for food, and keeping watch on me that the birds engage in is delightful.
You can edit this next part out, or post it – it happened about the same time this edition of the Studio showed up, and it was hilarious, as well as a bit unnerving. You no doubt know that hummingbirds love to drink from fountains, sprinklers, and so on. I have even had them fly up to me while I am watering a shrub with the hose. So, there I was in the clearing at the north of the property, working on some trees, and had to pee. Well, being a guy, I ambled over to the edge of the clearing, and began to relieve myself. Out of nowhere, a hummingbird zooms up, stopping about face high, not three feet from me. I didn’t know what the hell to do, being in a rather awkward spot, as you might imagine. I mean, they are fierce and fearless little beasts, and this one kept eyeing me, the urine, me… a couple seconds passed, and I said, “It’s not water little guy,” at which point it flew off. Never had THAT happen before.
Thanks again, Thea, for your lovely bird post.
Michael how could I leave the part out of the post?? I laughed out loud. Thank you for telling me/us a great story and blessing us with your meaningful poem. It does prove what scientists finally caught up to, that birds can heal the heart, make one’s day, give one a sense of calm and completeness in the middle of the madness of it all. You’re the best.
I love this so much! We do this exactly and have so many hummingbirds fighting over the food. I love to watch them. I’ve even had eye to eye contact with them. It always makes me feel better. I see my Mom in these wonderful birds. My Mom had no sense of direction, like myself, and a few days after she died a hummingbird flew right into our screen door with her beak stuck in the screen. She got herself out and I knew that was my Mom.
Thanks for reading the piece Denise and for telling me that story. I have had several friends in my life with special connections via hummingbirds, cardinals and owls –to their mothers or fathers — who have passed on. Comforting messengers.
Hummingbird are probably one of the things I miss most in Ireland (those and green chilies). But I’ll still be taking this lesson to heart and putting a new feeder outside my office window. Thanks!
A feeder outside your office window sounds great. I think there are kingfishers in Ireland right? Not that they would visit a feeder though. Have you ever seen a hummingbird hawkmoth yet? I read people mistake them for hummingbirds in Ireland. https://www.thejournal.ie/hummingbird-hawkmoth-3468520-Jul2017/
I love green chilies too. I can understand why you miss them…. and hummingbirds….but you do have the consolation of having fairies right?. 🙂
Thanks for reading and writing in Pym, hope you are well.
I love to watch hummingbirds, such little jewels and so fierce. I often see hummer battles as they stake out their territory. No wonder the Aztecs saw them as the souls of brave warriors. I planted a Golden Cestrum bush next to my back porch and the hummers love it. It has clusters of orange-yellow flowers that bloom profusely throughout summer and fall and attracts hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators. Added bonus, the flowers are sweetly fragrant in the nighttime. I’m in zone 8 to 9.
First off, you gotta love a woman who knows her zone for flowers. I just checked out the Golden Cestrum and now I thinking of where to put one on the patio. I wonder if it will do well in containers?
🙂 (Here is a link if anyone wants to eyeball it, http://jjlgreenhouses.com/cestrumAurantiacumGolden.html.)
Thanks so much for reading the post and sharing your experience. It’s cool how so many of these plants attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all at once. Miracle # 4579 of nature.
And yes the Aztecs had it right. I would like to read more about them.
Also wondering, what does the Cestrum smell like??? Jasmine-y? Like honey? Curious to know.
Have you ever smelled Carolina Jessamine? It reminds me of that but not as sweet.
I have never had the pleasure. But I see online someone said Carolina Jessamine smells like banana pudding….nice.
I love hummingbirds. When I lived in Indiana I had at least 1 feeder at every window. When I lived in Crete, I had a little play station with feeders and cardinal flower and a bunch of other things they love. I will pull out a feeder and see what happens. My association doesn’t allow Bird feeders but we will see. I miss those little guys. Beautiful post Thea. ☺☺☺💞🌼🌼🌻🌺⛅🏩
Oh that would be great on your patio of wonder. I bet your cat and dog would both love to watch hummingbirds through the glass during the day too. But I can just imagine the next letter from the condo board. That is nuts that you can’t have bird feeders! Adds life and beauty. I just remember that great line from the intro to that classic British sci-fi show “The Prisoner,” where Patrick McGoohan shouts out to his jailers, “I am not a number, I am a free man!!”https://youtu.be/nW-bFGzNMXw
Love this post. Definitely hummingbirds will bring you calm. To keep your hummers happy, when watering your garden, make a spray for them. They will be attracted and dance in and out of the very edges of the water, bringing you even more joy!
What a nice idea! I wonder if urban hummers will partake? I will try it today Kathy, thanks for reading and sharing your knowledge with me.
PS Kathy have you ever successfully grown Golden Cestrum in Topanga Canyon?
Love this post. I have a feeder and bird bath outside my dining room window and love to sit and watch the variety of birds that show up. The yard is surrounded by trees so we see quite a few. I think it’s saving my sanity right now.
Ooh a birdbath! That is a great idea too. I never thought of putting one near the window. Birds are miraculous aren’t they? They do remind us of bigger things, the utter the “tweets” that truly matter huh? 🙂