Creating Training Feeders for Young Hummingbirds

For every one out there who has hummingbird feeders in rough shape, don't be so quick to discard them. I give them one last purpose, which sometimes makes them even more valuable than when they were in a new condition. Young hummingbirds will oftentimes reject feeders because they just don't look realistic enough. They admire the color on them but have no clue it's a source of food. I have graduated many young hummingbirds to the adult feeders by simply creating training feeders for them. I make several different colors to suit the surroundings. If the colors are primarily orange in your flowers, use an orange flowered training feeder. If it's a different color use one that's most appropriate to match. In my illustration, one of the feeding perches broke off, so instead of tossing a still good feeder, I convert it into what I consider a training feeder.
1. You can go on the Internet and search out flower shapes. Pick the one that looks best or more realistic and print it out.
2. Copy the shape onto the 2mm craft foam. Cut it out and drill a tiny hole in the center for the feeding port. I use a hollow brass tube from hobby stores as my drill bit, and placed in the drill press. I can rip through hundreds in no time, and they drill the PERFECT hole. You can get various sizes of tubing, but don't go to big to allow honey bees to get access. 
3. Remove the old flower that came with a feeder and simply hot glue the new flower in its place.
The more accurate the flower to its surroundings, the more successful you'll be in converting young hummingbirds to feeders before they leave your garden. 

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