Tamed Humming-birds Sip Honey (Jun, 1934)
Filed under: Ahead of its time — @ 11:09 pm
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jun, 1934
| Buy on Ebay
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jun, 1934
| Buy on Ebay
Tamed Humming-birds Sip Honey
TRAINING humming-birds to sip honey from his lips is the unusual accomplishment of Ralph Ayer, a farmer living near Eastonville, Colorado. These tiny birds have heretofore been considered untamable.
Perfume bottles filled with honey and flowers first attracted the birds. They now return each year.
Oh come on! Humming birds just go after anything red. If you wear a red shirt they buzz all around you. I doubt this bird is tame, it’s just ignoring the guy.
Comment by Torgo — March 4, 2009 @ 1:11 am
Stupid Pet Tricks, circa 1934. Maybe Stupid Human Tricks.
Comment by Rick Auricchio — March 4, 2009 @ 1:24 am
After my dad retired to live in the woods in northern MN, he taught chickadees to take sunflower seeds from his outstretched palm and then from between his lips; he would have chickadees swarming around him whenever he went for a walk . . . .
Comment by Don — March 4, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
I’m reading a (fairly technical) book about pollinators and it says that there are some people who have painted on lipstick, took a mouthful of sweet wine, and then stood next to a hummingbird feeder with their lips pursed. The hummingbirds would drink right out of their mouth.
My dad, who is a relaxed sort, once simply stood near a feeder with his hand held out and a hummingbird decided to roost on his hand.
Comment by MrG — March 4, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
Humming birds are brave little buggers. I think they know they can out maneuver anything that tried to touch them.
Comment by slim — March 4, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
When they’re swarming around the feeder they don’t pay anyone much mind. They’ll fly around your head well within an arm’s reach. Our reaction times must seem glacial to them. Cheers — MrG / http://www.vectorsite.net/gblog.html
Comment by MrG — March 4, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
I think Mr Ayers is wearing bright red lipstick (and those eyelashes look suspiciously long and full).
Comment by StanFlouride — March 4, 2009 @ 9:37 pm