Click the picture to watch a video showing “Broken Beak” land on my Dad’s finger!
We’ve all seen popular films like “Ladyhawk” where outstanding characters outstretch an arm and a falcon perches with the greatest of ease. But have you ever heard of someone training a wild bird to land on his finger? In the video below, you’ll see how my Dad actually gets a wild hummingbird named, “Broken Beak” to rest on his finger while enjoying an afternoon drink.
Here’s how Ken got Broken Beat comfortable enough to land on his finger:
Everyone loves traditional hummingbird feeders. The birds get the enjoyment of having a free, easily accessible snack. And the viewers get to see these wonderful creatures buzz around with their remarkable speed and hovering ability.
Although hummingbirds do not require a perch to drink from a feeder, some prefer to land on a twig or perch while slurping up nectar with their flapping long tongues.
My Dad has been feeding hummingbirds for years and a few years ago he started to notice the birds became less and less scared of people and our Yellow Labrador dog. After noticing the hummingbirds would buzz literally right by his head when trying to get to the feeder, he got the idea of holding out a thin twig for birds to use as a perch.
Over the years, the hummingbirds got used to the twig perch, they even would rest on the twig while Ken would hold it for several seconds. You can probably guess how a bird enthusiast would enjoy having a completely wild neighborhood bird rest that close to an observer.
Recently, a hummingbird named, “Broken Beak” has become so accustomed to using a twig as a perch, that my Dad decided to experiment with holding out his finger.
To my amazement, the last time I visited my parents, I was able to capture Broken Beak drinking from the feeder for almost a minute while resting on my Dad’s index finger.
Check out the video below to watch Broken Beak take a drink!
-Tyler