A female hummingbird's highest priority for nest location seems to be based on finding a place where winds will be minimal. This priority probably stems from the fact that hummingbird eggs, and sometimes chicks, are catapulted from nests gyrating on branches of trees that are swaying in high winds. This concept was emphasized when we found 2 barns in West Texas where seven hummingbirds were nesting inside, protected from winds (2003). On a ranch in windy Animas, N.M. half a dozen of the little hens nest inside a tool shed, an a old abandoned doorless, windowless homestead house.

For best results, the Hummingbird House* must be mounted under the least windy eave of your home. A hummer's desire to nest out-of-the-wind may explain why a bird nests in odd places, such as a sheltered porch/patio fixtures, sheltered electrical wiring, sheltered chain link fence, inside open garages, etc.

The hummingbird's second highest priority seems to be finding a solid foundation for her nest, plus points to anchor it securely enough to prevent it from being torn from a branch by winds. For a foundation, she most often selects a fork in a branch. In addition to the stability a fork offers, she also wants anchor points to further secure her nest. The Hummingbird House* provides both a fork and anchor points. Note in the "before" and "after" photo how the hummer established her nest on the fork, and then wrapped her nest around both vertical and horizontal anchor points. Her engineering and building skills holds her nest securely in place. The relationship between the fork and anchor points on the Hummingbird House* are precisely angled and placed. Their angles and placement are born of experiments that discovered specifications that matching a hummingbird's search image for a nest site.

• Excellent protection from predators, such as ants, snakes, and predatory birds.
• Provides the mother hummer a place to raise her chicks out of the rain, sun, and wind.

Note: It is probable that younger, first nesting hens are less sensitive about finding a nest site that is out of the wind than second and third year hens with previous nesting experience. It is also probable that females that are raised in a nest built on a Hummingbird House* will return next year and look for a Hummingbird House* to build her first nest.

"Dear Mr. & Mrs. True"

I love these little birds. So when i saw your Hummingbird House* I had to have one. May 16th there was some webbing on the house, and lo and behold, a hummer was building her nest. I can't believe she built a nest on my patio. When she laid her first egg I was so excited!!! Watching her raise her little family has been a high point Thank you for inventing a Hummingbird House*

Jane Grabiel, Albuquerque, New Mexico

With a Hummingbird House* kit you too can create the ultimate hummingbird experience by giving the birds a place to nest.

 

Click here to learn more about how the

Hummingbird House* was Developed.

The Hummingbird House* kit includes instructions, plus a small bundle of natural cotton for the mom-to-be hummer to gather material from to use in building her nest. When you observe her taking fluffs of cotton, you know her nest building is in progress.