Have you ever watched hummingbirds swarm your neighbor’s feeder while yours is virtually deserted? What could they be doing differently? The answer is likely that they are providing the hummingbirds with a place to perch. Although it may seem like a small change, it makes a big difference to these tiny creatures.
Fortunately, there’s an easy and inexpensive hack to turn your feeder into a hummingbird magnet. If you don’t yet have a hummingbird feeder, you can get a good one for next to nothing at Dollar Tree or on Amazon. While you’re shopping, grab some bendable wire — the kind typically used for crafting. That’s all you’ll need to create a comfy place for the birds to sit while they sip.
This hack is specifically for hummingbird feeders without a perch ring or individual perches at feeding ports. If your feeder has one of these features, the hummingbirds already have a place to safely rest and digest their food.
Loop the Loop
To start, take a length of wire and form it into a circle about the size of a balled-up fist. Securely twist or tie the ends together.
Loop the wire circle over one of the fake flowers (aka feeding ports) on your hummingbird feeder. Then, loop it around once or twice more, similar to how you would wrap a hair tie around a ponytail. The end goal is to create a small wire bar for the hummingbirds to perch on while they drink from the flower, so don’t loop it so many times that there’s none left.
Shape It Up
Shape the wire that is now attached to the flower. This shouldn’t take much time or effort; you just want to make it slightly more square than circular. Try to think of it from a hummingbird’s point of view — they need a steady perch while they dip their heads down to drink.
Repeat this around each flower on your hummingbird feeder, and you’re done. Now, take your feeder back outside (full of nectar, of course) and wait for the little birds to find out they’ve gotten a big upgrade.
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Bonus Hack: How To Make Hummingbird Nectar
Hummingbird nectar is incredibly simple (and cheap) to make. All you need is:
• 1/4 cup refined white sugar
• 1 cup water
Bring the water to a boil and stir in the sugar until it is dissolved. Allow the nectar to cool completely before filling up your feeder.
Note: Don’t use red food coloring, which may harm the birds, or substitute honey, which can contribute to fungal growth.
