The hummingbird is the smallest bird in the skies – and arguably the fastest! Over 300 varieties of hummingbirds are native to North America but they exist worldwide. Their brain capacity (as a percentage of body weight) is about double ours and they do recognize humans.
These remarkable creatures migrate about 3,000 miles per year and take on 40% of their body weight before each long trip to and from their wintering areas in Mexico and the tropics. It is a long, lonely journey since they only fly 25 miles per day – and do not fly in groups.
Hummers are the only bird that can fly up, down, forward and back. They need to eat twice their body weight daily to be able to sustain 200 wing beats per minute! On a typical day they visit 1500 blossoms to collect nectar but won’t go back to that same blossom for several days, thus allowing the nectar to rejuvenate. They are attracted to red, yellow, blue and other bright colors.
Hummers are attracted to bright colors like red and yellow, as well as contrasting wood looks like our glossy brown tops
Our Hummer Homes are designed to provide a safe, natural looking alternative to the open and vulnerable nests that hummingbirds often build. Our designs and colorations get their attention yet blend into their typical surroundings. We even hand engrave our houses to simulate the foliage in which they like to nest.
In a Hummer Home, birds are protected from predators and the elements. You can also place them nearer the house so you can watch their activities all the time, not just when they are feeding.
We recommend hanging these houses under eves, porches, decks and other partially shaded locations close to feeders. Hummingbirds are naturally curious, and they won’t fly by these houses long before they will take a peek inside! Once they have safely hatched or roosted in a Hummer Home they will return every year until they die.
Our houses are designed so the hollow interior provides ample nesting space. The entry holes are small enough to prevent other birds and varmints from getting to chicks before they can fly.
From rough stock to finished product
Boring cavities
Engraving
Inserting perch dowels
Building and finishing a quality bird house involves 19-20 steps that convert a block of maple or cherry into a decorative durable accent piece that attracts some very unique visitors! Our operations involve turning, sanding, boring, wood burning assembly, staining, painting and weather-proofing on each house.
These attractive but functional Hummer Houses are made one at a time in Jim Beelaert’s shop. Jim is a retired general contractor who has always enjoyed woodworking. His retirement hobby has become a cottage industry. No two houses are alike, and your order will be unique.
After experimenting with many species of hardwoods we selected Cherry, Maple and Poplar because of their attractive graining, durability and unique colorations.
Once the turned blocks are fine-sanded we select the top colors and finishing methods that will showcase the natural beauty of the wood. The final steps involve precise hand painting and application of at least two coats of spar urethane to insure that the houses will last for years to come
We offer three ranges of Hummer Homes which sell for $20.00 to $30.00 depending on size, finish and design
