Hummingbird feeders are frezing solid in the recent low temperatures in Beaverton, Oregon, so I wrapped ours with a heating pad. The experiment was successful, and the hummingbirds keep their feet warm on the electrical cord.
Hummingbird feeder wrapped with heating pad
Keeping hummingbird feeder from freezing
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says ... on Monday, Nov 28 at 4:22 PM
We have created a stylish low-cost alternative.. a weather resistant jacket heated with a beanie bag insert... available right now on ebay (item #160690528440 - Hummingbird warming feeder heater) Nov 28/2011
says ... on Friday, Jan 7 at 4:04 PM
We have designed a heater that is avaliable, (patent pending) . Beautiful design and SAFE!! avaliable at feederheater.com and backyard bird shops.
says ... on Tuesday, Nov 23 at 2:08 PM
Disregard my prior question. Cable is too long and cannot touch itself.
says ... on Tuesday, Nov 23 at 11:25 AM
Has anyone considered using the cable that keeps seedlings warm under seedling trays?
says ... on Sunday, Jul 12 at 4:00 PM
I have the opposite problem! It's 113 degrees here in Sun City, AZ today, July 12th. I'm keeping fresh feeders in my refrigerator and changing out every few hours. I'm about ready to get some kind of wrap (like a soda holder) and try it! Any ideas??
says ... on Sunday, Dec 21 at 5:49 PM
I've been rotating feeders constantly, but thawing at room temp can't keep up. Does any one know how often nectar can be thawed and reused? Can it be reheated in the micro and how warm/hot can it be so as not to burn the poor things?
says ... on Sunday, Dec 21 at 8:30 AM
Anyone seen any hummingbirds yet today (Sunday)? I just rigged up a space heater next to my feeder but no one has come yet and I don't know if it's because they're afraid of it or they didn't make it through the night :-(
says ... on Saturday, Dec 20 at 5:13 PM
I have a hummingbird that was almost frozen to my feeder. He?she is now in a little basket, still breathing but shivering and not moving much. Any hints??? I take the feeders in at night I have no way to connect lites. How do I keep it alive??
says ... on Friday, Dec 19 at 8:32 PM
I also have been rotating 4 feeders every hour starting at 7:30 am to keep the birds alive. One hummer sits on a Christmas light for most of the day to keep warm. This species do NOT migrate. Their lives are in your hands! Keep up the GREAT work!
says ... on Friday, Dec 19 at 3:39 PM
Someone here in Seattle had another good idea...attaching a clamp worklight under the feeder to keep it warm via the incandescent bulb...I'll be gone next week and won't be able to bring mine in or thaw it out; this seemed like the solution for me.
says ... on Wednesday, Dec 17 at 8:30 AM
We put a clamp light fixture just below the feeder with a 15 watt bulb in it (not too warm is important). The light shining upward through the feeder kind of makes it look like a UFO - lol. The birds were cautious at first, but seem to be doing OK.
says ... on Monday, Dec 15 at 10:12 PM
Heating pad is a great idea...Could you give more info on heating pad? Where can I find one? How much does it cost? We have 2 feeders that we have to keep bringing in every couple of hours to thaw right now...MJ, Aloha, Oregon
says ... on Monday, Dec 15 at 9:54 PM
My husband has been watching our hummingbirds. He wrapped the bottle in bubble wrap -- well, a kind of insulation they use in green houses -- and rubber banded a disposable hand warmer to the bottom of it. Of course we bring it in at night!!
says ... on Monday, Dec 15 at 7:59 PM
i have been like everyone else, changing the,syrup every hr, i love the heating pad idea, plus the pipe wrap, save me a lot of work,, as i have 4 feeders on the go, thanks
says ... on Monday, Dec 15 at 6:53 PM
Any ideas on how to stop the birds themselves from freezing to death? Our Victoria cold snap began yesterday and I found a frozen hummingbird this morning. I have kept the feeders from freezing by alternating them hourly with warm ones.
says ... on Monday, Dec 15 at 6:34 PM
I wrapped mine in Christmas lights. I keep the net lights on 24 hrs/day in the bush where they rest. Festive and lifesaving!
says ... on Monday, Dec 15 at 2:15 PM
Great idea. Using a digital thermometer in one of the exposed drinking tubes showed the nectar was beginning to freeze. A couple of strips of insulation, such as pipe wrap, covered with duct tape kept the temperature in the lower portion in the 40's.
says ... on Monday, Dec 15 at 10:37 AM
Helpful idea. Any ideas on creating a sheltered area outdoors?
says ... on Sunday, Dec 14 at 4:48 PM
Awesome idea!!
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