How to Get Wild Birds to Eat From Your Hand
Bird watching and feeding is a relaxing activity enjoyed by young and old alike. If you have committed to feeding and caring for our feathered friends, you can feel a special connection with them as you watch them each day. But this connection can be taken to an entirely new level by getting some species of these birds to eat right from your hand. Chickadees, bluebirds, finches, sparrows and nuthatches are just a few species of wild bird that have been trained to eat right out of a human's hand. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
-
Invite
-
1
You will want to make your yard as inviting as possible to birds. The best way to do this is through bird-friendly landscaping. Birds enjoy brightly colored bushes and large flowering shrubbery as well as evergreen bushes that provide cover and concealment. Bird baths can be a great way to invite birds into your yard as they enjoy splashing in the water. Consider heating the birdbath in the wintertime so they will continue to come to visit your bath. Hang a variety of bird feeders and offer plenty of seed. You should offer a nice variety of seed to attract as many different types of bird as possible. Try sunflower, black thistle, safflower and coneflower seeds. Keep pests such as squirrels and cats away from the area you are feeding the birds in so they will not feel frightened.
-
2
Once you have a steady flow of traffic to your feeders, remain vigilant at keeping them stocked. Stock your feeders as close to the same time every day as possible, preferably in the morning. After you have filled your feeders, you should notice that the birds seem to come to the feeders right away. This is because certain birds are depending on you for their food. These will be the prime candidates to eat from your hand once you have established their trust. Hang around the feeders as these birds are eating, but not too closely. Act naturally and talk softly. Avoid sudden movements and loud, startling noises. You are getting the birds used to your presence at this time.
-
-
3
Now that you have a few birds accustomed to a feeding schedule and comfortable with your presence near the feeders at feeding time, you will be ready to begin enticing them to eat from your hand. Do not fill your feeders as expected this morning. Instead, place a small amount of seed onto your outstretched hand and stand near the feeder. You may find that a curious bird will swoop down to grab a small seed and fly away quickly. Do not be discouraged if this does not happen right away. After a few minutes fill the feeders as usual even if you have not had any visitors. Repeat this process for a few days until finally one of the birds is brave enough to begin eating from your hands.
-
4
Do not be startled when the first bird lands on your fingertips. Avoid making any sudden movements which may startle the bird. The rest of his flock will be watching him to see if he is being harmed. When they notice that he is getting fed and there is no harm to him, others will consider coming to your hand for food as well.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Don't rush this process. Getting the birds to eat from your hand could take several weeks.
Be sure to clean up bird droppings as soon as possible to avoid disease.
