Saving Hummingbirds Lives - Must Watch if You Feed Hummingbirds

We have had to rescue hummingbirds a few times that got stuck in our hummingbird feeders. Thanks to our community we were alerted and able to save these hummingbirds. If you feed hummingbirds, especially with this kind of feeder, please be aware!
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My name is Carole Turek and I am on a quest to photograph every single hummingbird species on the planet! There are over 350 types and I currently have photographed more than 200 of them.
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[@HummingbirdSpot]

Special thanks for the support of the Hummingbird Spot Members and especially to the Hummingbird Fanatics: Justine Floresee, ABirdPerson, EJP Campbell, Cynthia Fortner PhD, Sharon Tallon, Wyatt Doolittle, Mme Dckay, Kai Esterhammer🇺🇦 Loves His Amtrak Engine 179, Patchouli.

[@TheLusaso]

There is this stuff called "sugru" you can put in those gaps of the feeders and you'll never have to worry about them again 👍🏻 Also, at 1:50 , is this the snow storm that hit California just recently? I was wondering how all of the hummingbirds were doing amongst that.

[@winonagoodson3334]

But CT no

[@kathleentutuma.7211]

We had a HB get its nose stuck in a metal feeder which had frozen. There wasn't time to get a video but run with a cup of warm water to free it. Since then NO METAL FEEDERS IN WINTER. So we made a dual winter feeding station using small cookie sheets hung side by side to accommodate a pair of electric hand warmers (like used in nail salons) which were enclosed in fleece. The plastic feeders sat just on the surface and never froze!!

[@fredericfogg8784]

Thank you for the heads up for pointing this out. Big time thank you to the community for alerting you.

[@pat8988]

You should communicate with the manufacturers of the feeder and urge them to modify the feeder design for safety's sake.

[@juliemoylan9697]

Thank you so much for the heads up. I had no idea they could get stuck like that, but I'm not surprised. I'm glad they were able to be rescued.

[@SugarDad1]

Awesome rescues! I wonder if the manufacturer would be interested in your footage? It seems like with a simple adjustment to their plastics molds that they could eliminate the hazard to our delightful friends. All the best!🥂

[@nancyleigh8016]

Somebody needs to develop some kind of a part. You can add to those kinds of feeders because most all of them that I use have that same gap. I worry too and I'm so glad you showed the hazard that can occur. You're a smart lady with many connections and friends Carole. Why don't you come up with an idea and market it. Become a millionaire and save the hummingbirds from danger. Also, you could fund your adventures and open habitats and sanctuaries! Motivated?? lol We love all if your informative videos. What would we do without you Carole?? We'll be waiting to hear about your new invention!!💞

[@izzy6.2]

Thank you ⚘️ Thank you ⚘️ Thank you ⚘️ 🫶

[@lajesq176]

Thank you for bringing attention to the potentially defective design of these feeders. I was just about to buy a bunch of them. I might still buy them if I can figure out how to make them safer.

[@danielzheng9280]

I'm wondering if a possible fix might be sticking some kind of solid circular panel to the bottom of the feeder. Sized to leave a small gap that can fit hummingbird feet, but hopefully shrinking the space enough to not fit hummingbird heads.

[@Acousticeg]

Thank you so much for your live Cam. I watch every day. My cat likes to watch as well. lol Glad to see that those birds were saved.

[@michelebatchler9259]

Wow! I heard about one time, but not the others. Thankfully, it doesn’t happen too often. I use the smaller version of these unless the bees come. I will definitely keep an eye on my feeders. Thanks for sharing Carole! Then there was the Allen going into torpor at the feeders. I was so glad you were home to help him. These little hummingbirds get themselves into some tough spots. Thank you for all you do! I learn so much from you, Carole!

[@PyroPolo]

Are you talking about the one about a week ago that went into turpor? I backed it up and saw what happened if so. I'm pretty sure it was torpor.

[@michelebatchler9259]

@@PyroPoloYes, that one.

[@PyroPolo]

@@michelebatchler9259 I think it may have been killed by another hummer. I saw that go down and watched when it first landed on the feeder. It was sitting there and another male landed on its back. it sort of clawed it's way forward and the one drinking tipped it's head back. When it did the aggressor clawed the front of it's neck and it tipped over backwards and just hung there. I think it may have injured it. I'm not sure if it did it to hurt it or if it was just an accident.

[@lynnlynn9124]

​@@PyroPolo 😥

[@gingerhipszky228]

I am glad there was someone there to rescue them!! Thanks for all you do!

[@susanrayeske3693]

God Blessing on you for saving them God but you there and taking care of his birds xxoo

[@deebenson135]

I've had to do that a few times myself. I've also helped when they've flown into the glass door.

[@marthahossenlopp6087]

Thank you for this video, it's so rewarding when one of these amazing birds are saved and returned to their busy lives.

[@ziggiezaggie]

Heroes!!!

[@jumpstart2023]

I love feeding these birds and watching them in the summer, I am from Ms. and don't have but maybe 30 to 40 birds and I use single one cup feeders located at different feeding places around my yard. I do however have two feeders like the ones you have but never had any problems. Anyway I commented to say that you might look into taking super glue and add a rail to the underside to keep the little birds from getting stuck. With a bar to the underside run parallel to the bar / footrest it would keep the birds from going through and to the underside would not be in the way of their feet. Just a thought and suggestion. Like the setup you have for all those little birds, the swings are really neat.

[@alejandrotaudil3689]

Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@TonyAndersonMusic]

You’re incredible.

[@abdiver12]

Great video. I’ve never seen birds get stuck in a feeder before. There was one time I literally rescued one from the jaws of a cat after it collided with my window. Incredibly, the cat let it go unharmed, and after about half an hour, the male Ana flew robustly away.

[@JohnMichaelson]

That's a consideration I have never thought about. I don't think the perches on ours are quite the same but the spacing is similar. They are above the ports, though. I would be heartbroken to come home and find one stuck like that. Thank you for the PSA!

[@maryjones6580]

OMG thanks so much for sharing this

[@dewbow134]

Poor birds! Good thing they were helped

[@timoteoestevez]

Oh wow! 😢😢 Thanks!!!

[@MamaTtoB-P]

Oh gosh praise God for the members that saw these situations & alerted you.

[@wfpa40yt]

I wonder if someone could 3D print and fabricate a snap on attachment that would be like a little floor under that space!

[@lovetoall8852]

Very good to know. Thanks!

[@rdiannh]

I had this happen two different times, thankfully I was home both times. Before I rescued the second one, I stopped to take a quick picture and shared it on FB. I don’t use that feeder any more..

[@xsleep1]

Maybe post the measurement between the rail and the body of the feeder. Other brand feeders may have the same issue.

[@adpeace2181]

Thank you. I'm next door in Ventura and I have three of this style of feeder. Although I haven't had an emergency of this nature, I sure appreciate your heads up warning for a serious potential problem! Thank you😊

[@maulenaspencer4906]

Awww, the poor little birds !!! So good there was somebody there each time.

[@beyourownforceofnature7291]

Thank you for this video!🥹👌🏻

[@hunterG60k]

It's great that the birds were saved, but couldn't you modify the perches in some way to stop this from happening? Even tying some twine between the gaps could help I think.

[@atulpatel2850]

Time to fill up those holes with something. Make arc shape wood pieces and stick them in. Thanks for taking care of those birds.

[@zahraafouad4792]

Cut between and open make it almost like letter C . That help them free theim selves alone ... Thank you for sharing your wonderful videos

[@CSIS25]

What an awesome community as well as neighbor !

[@Terri_Stauffer]

That’s awesome the community saved the little ones. Thank you for warning about feeder,

[@amandadorner]

I feel like those feeders should be banned if there was potential for harm to the bird? Surely the safety of the birds should be the top priority. So happy they were safely rescued❤

[@PlasmArtFabricating]

I would look at gluing some screen material on the bottom, making sure those gaps get filled with the screen. Or glue foam in between the gaps. just make sure they can still grip the outer rail. Pretty sure others can come up with some ideas!

[@pughaus7968]

@@PlasmArtFabricating a screen can entrap their feet and claws with equally dire results. Maybe the SPOT community can crowdfund and produce a better feeder.

[@franzwaltenspuhl8892]

I agree. They should be banned!

[@daureenesmith579]

Great advice for keeping these precious birds dare. Thanks a million!

[@id10t98]

thanks for the alert! I never would have imagined this could happen.

[@Yamedia]

Wow! I have the same feeders. Thank you for the heads up 🙂

[@CherylPix62]

Oh dear Praise God you were able to free them unscathed! I wonder if some screen trimmed to fit underneath the open perch area, and then glued in place to prevent them from being lodged in those gaps? Not the metal screen, but the softer stuff.

[@maluigonzalez8296]

Thank you happy I love Biutiful thank you

[@karenrotter6280]

Wow; watching this today after finding a dead Anna on my front porch; beyond upsetting and no idea as to why. I am going to quit feeding on that porch during winter or wind, although that wasn’t the cause. They seem to like multiple locations and lessens any aggression. My side porch is ideally protected in an alcove, blocking the wind and keeping feeders thawed even when temps dip down to the twenties. I am located in Washington State, so that saves a bit of work. I was devastated when three Anna’s died during the course of a more severe winter several years ago on that porch; could not pin-point what happened. I was contemplating not feeding any more, but no problems since then. There was a Robin that tried to nest on that porch several times that year and maybe that had something to do with it? I feed on my back porch during summer months as well. It’s too difficult to deal with keeping the feeders warm at that location in winter, but the multiple location seems to be liked by the birds. I was concerned about the feeders being near a screened porch, but it hasn’t been a problem. It’s so devastating to even lose one bird; and then wondering if you should gradually quit feeding. It is a huge Commitment and I cringe when I see homes with dirty feeders. I have gradually worked up to 16 feeders, which is about all I can afford to do - my priority is to help the birds, and I pray that is truly the case. I use good cane sugar, excellent feeders and keep them very clean. Mine are similar to those pictured; the tall, cylinder-shaped, glass Perky Pet Brand. I think my perches are much thinner, wider opening, maybe more flexible. Haven’t lost a bird in that way over the eight years I upgraded to these feeders, but good to be aware that it can happen and keep an eye out, especially during windy weather.

[@tonimaldonado4915]

You should see if someone can use their 3D printer to print something out and drop it in the slots between the feeder and the perches to prevent them from falling in

[@yayciencia]

Thanks for posting about this issue! I will get a different hummingbird feeder design. I'm glad all the hummers were ok.

[@sonjam4606]

After a good rain, a juvenile male got knocked unconscious by a mature female. I saw it on my security cam, so I went outside to see if everyone was ok. I saw this little guy on his back in a water puddle in wet sand 😮 he wasn’t moving at first 😮 I rushed over and he began this terrible little squeak and was trying to wiggle out of the puddle but he was stuck.. 😢 I ever so gently turned him over and used rain water to rinse the sand off.. after he caught his breath and his bearings he flew away. I was worried about his as I could tell he wasn’t all there as he few away, but the next day I saw him at another feeder and it was at a different time of day.. not during the “dawn/dusk rush/happy hour” I often think of this little guy and hope that he is living his best hummingbird life. His gorget wasn’t the crimson red that I’m accustomed to seeing on my male rubies.. it’s a brilliant hot pink/fiery red. I hope to see him again this year during southern migration!

[@igitahimsa5871]

God Bless you for helping the little bird :-)!

[@Butterflys3436]

🙏🙏🙏

[@krystleconner5690]

Those are the only feeders I use as well because of so many ports. I have ten of those feeders and luckily have not experienced a stuck bird yet but it’s good to know the possibility. Thank you ❤

[@jameslooker4791]

I think you could modify the feeders to make them less dangerous for hummingbirds. Personally, I would just glue some epoxy to the gap but there are lots of solutions.

[@HummingbirdSpot]

Working on it

[@walterbatch5296]

A stunning video. So many birds. An amazing show of a devoted person with so much love and affection for some of the most beautiful birds in the world

[@kandreasworld4374]

Pour an epoxy bottom into the holes. That way they can still all stand on it but there will be no hole to get stuck in.

[@BlkMagickGaia3]

These are my hummers favorite type feeders. And the bees !

[@tamararoberts9307]

Aaawww thank goodness they were saved ♡♡♡

[@barbaradillon7516]

I'm so glad you guys are so dedicated to feeding those beautiful little birds! Can you please tell me what you feed them they are so darn many where you are it is amazing! I am in Arizona and I have about two or three I think maybe for that come to my feeder but I'd like to know what you guys feed because it sure seems to draw those little fellows! Thank you for sharing :-)

[@HummingbirdSpot]

It a matter of my location rather than what I am feeding them. Cane sugar and water 1:4 is all. But these feeders are on a third floor balcony overlooking a large canyon and can be seen by thousands of hummers passing through.

[@tondanampaiocardenas9761]

Perhaps if a pool noodle or type object is placed below the perch but stuffed up towards the open space… I’m just wondering if it could hopefully become a stopper for the lil hummers falling through? Great video to keep us vigilant for our feathered friends. Thank you.

[@mrxxbrian]

I use these exact feeders, hopefully I don't have to go through one of this mishaps it would traumatizing for me

[@Sableagle]

That bird in the background in the third clip is impressive. Something that outweighs it 30,000:1 is there talking to the camera and, hey, a bird's gotta eat, you know?

[@donivanstryker1340]

Put some wedges of styrofoam or foam blocks in between so there is still room to perch but the space is too small for a head or body to fit into.

[@stephaniecarter4563]

There has to be a way to alter them, maybe by making wood level cutouts, gluing the wood inserts. They make small wood handle tools. Lightly sandpaper the edges, then glue. It’s an idea.

[@monicawalser7266]

You could try to go around it and like glue a straw or foam or something to fill in the gap with another sitting for them .

[@tony_25or6to4]

Hot glue window screen mesh to the underside of the feeder base. This will allow the birds to grip the perch, but won't allow them to fall through the gap.

[@S.Esquire]

I’m sure someone could 3d print up a small retrofit disc that snaps into the bottom/top to make the gap smaller.

[@americanjedi5952]

I was thinking of getting one of these just the other day. I'll pass. There's only three hummingbirds that come to my feeder and the gorgeous Anna's male doesnt doesn't share.

[@aeptacon]

Third time is a charm? Can you just replace with higher quality feeders? With the frequency that this is happening at I wouldn't take a chance.

[@red-winged_blackbird]

❤️

[@MegaThunderKitten]

Dang your neighbor is a friendly Sasquatch

[@jengabubs]

I wonder if you could make the skinny ledge grippier somehow

[@Catlily5]

Did they all get stuck in the same exact feeder? It looked like it to me. Maybe the spacing is wrong on especially that particular one.

[@HummingbirdSpot]

No, the five feeders change position every time they are filled.

[@artisticwren2997]

Is there a way to modify the feeders? Maybe some styrofoam (or something better) cut to fit the gap?

[@Gaiartemis]

Can you attach pipe cleaners to take up space and reduce that gap??

[@jacks6632]

Why not glue fabric to underside of the open areas?

[@jessicayoung8530]

One time a hummingbird ran into my glass door. My husband picked it up and thought it was dead. He stroked it several times and blew on its face. It came back and flew away.. Another flew into the glass and wasn't so fortunate 😔.

[@vrpete]

Why couldn't you add a rail to make the gap smaller?

[@PyroPolo]

So if we see it and there are no Mods on, any suggestions on how to alert you?

[@GaiaLove1]

You might want to send the company the link..

[@ryleeabadie9752]

I love hummingbirds, but I'm not sure what time of year, if ever they come to South Louisiana. Does anyone know if they even come down here, and if so any tips for attracting them?

[@igitahimsa5871]

@Rylee Plant red flowers, hang a feeder, they are prob there, you just aren't seeing them..

[@ryleeabadie9752]

@@igitahimsa5871 Thank you so much! I will definitely try that.

[@Hello_ppl]

Question for anyone, is it common for the mother to rarely be at the nest once the babies get about 10 days old? I used to see a mother all the time, then I havent seen her in days, so I checked the nest and the babies were there, eyes open and all and looked fine, but im not expert, and I have still yet to see the mother at the nest, she used to always be there. How often do the mothers feed as they get older?

[@HummingbirdSpot]

Yes. Once the chicks can regulate their own temperatures, she will return only to feed them.

[@flightydancer]

These feeders seems poorly designed. I never knew such cute bird can be so mean; the first one pushing another into getting stuck!

[@PlasmArtFabricating]

Sorry, im not trying to hijack the video and comments. Just wanted to warn those like myself who leave their garage doors open when home. A few years ago, I woke up and opened the garage door and noticed a really pretty male laying on the hood of my car, dead! Later that summer, as I was closing the garage door, I heard something hitting the ceiling. It was a small hummingbird. I got him out by using feeders to get it to fly out. Birds have a habit of staying high for safety reasons and rarely fly down and out. But I found out the garage door rope handle is red, which they fly in to check it out. Along with gas cans or other things red. I taped over the handle on the rope to the garage door. I keep my gas cans close to the door opening.

[@Wildstar40]

Need to design a better feeder so they don't get stuck.

[@womanlydroid1104]

any suggestions to help keep ants away from feeders?

[@HummingbirdSpot]

Use ant moats or Perky Pet ant guards. Ants will not cross those barriers.

[@iraianton2182]

How you prepare your water?

[@HummingbirdSpot]

Four parts water to one part cane sugar.

[@enigmarocker]

Sooo uuhhh...anyone ever think of 3D printing a new base for these feeders so that theres more space for a hummingbirds to get out (and no get stuck at all), or make them with even less of a gap so the bird cant get stuck at all? Seems like a pretty simple fix for a dremel tool to make the gaps wider.........

[@franzwaltenspuhl8892]

I definitely won’t use that type of feeder. Thanks

[@pughaus7968]

This problem was solved by the "Best" brand of feeders that has 2 perching rails, close together , instead of one rail with a large and dangerous gap. First Nature should redesign their base and use the Best brand design as a guide.

[@ciegacita]

i image you've already reached out to the hummingbird feeder company about this...

[@laurawas661]

I have a similar glass hummingbird feeder from Amazon and a hummingbird was caught in it and badly injured yesterday. I doubt he survived. Lesson: Only buy feeders marked "Safe," indicating safety testing. To the creator of this video: why are you still using the same feeders?

[@Joshbc1232]

It seems to me you should replace with safer feeders or modify them to be safe.

[@BS-j1965]

Why don’t you glue a piece of cardboard or a piece of plastic cut in a round shape to fit the underside of the feeder??? I have the same feeder and that’s the first thing I did with mine. The Hummers can’t get stuck in the ring if you do this.

[@trevorbayers2175]

Thats what happens when you have cheap feeders. I’m surprised they are still using these feeders after several birds got stuck in them. Shame on the owners of them for keeping these feeders up even though they are a potential risk to the hummingbirds.

[@BS-j1965]

Have you thought about notifying the company that makes the feeder??? Personally this is something I would do. Just sayin😊

[@ashoknayaki7776]

PLEASE ORAL ANNOUNCEMENT Gideon BIBLE APP

[@initiate22000]

I would ditch those feeders! Not worth the risk, even if you have to have more feeders of a different design that has fewer feeding stations.

[@kathycollinge-wm8vw]

Why use that particular feeder? They make ones that are not humming bird traps. Those feeders belong in the trash.

[@isabelledutoit]

You should stop using these feeders. And encourage other people not to use them! I never use feeders like these.

[@KingTesticus]

Maybe you should consider 3 instances of hummies getting stuck as a heads-up you need a different feeder. Or, you could let this happen again and the next time the bird dies.

[@saw-whet]

You need different feeders. It’s obvious these are a flawed design. Try Hummzingers. This won’t happen if you switch to a better brand.

[@Hasunori]

F**** fix the feeders then!

[@wfpa40yt]

🥲

[@oskierox]

@razzie