Most hummingbirds in the U.S. migrate south for the winter and return in the spring. However, in some areas, that’s not the case. Anna’s Hummingbirds, for example, have adapted to survive colder temperatures. If you live in a place where hummingbirds stick around through winter, you can feed them during the cold season. But when temperatures drop, nectar can freeze.
One solution on the market is the hummingbird feeder heater. Some models are built into the feeder itself, while others—like the Hummer Hearth—are designed to attach to an existing feeder. We were curious: Are hummingbird feeder heaters necessary?
To answer that question, we spoke with two experts: Rebekah Rylander, science coordinator for the Rio Grande Joint Venture at American Bird Conservancy, and Olivia V. Sanderfoot, PhD, research scientist and project leader for FeederWatch at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Why You Should Never DIY a Hummingbird Feeder Heater
In areas where it freezes, DIY heating options—such as wrapping the feeder with incandescent Christmas lights (modern LED lights don’t throw much heat)—aren’t recommended. They could give the bird a shock (or worse!) or cause the bird to become entangled and trapped, says Rylander.
Do You Actually Need a Hummingbird Feeder Heater?
If you’re concerned that the sugar water in your hummingbird feeder may freeze, you can use a model with a built-in heater. However, you needn’t think this is necessary because hummers are adapted to survive extreme cold without feeding by going into a state of torpor.
“Torpor is a short-term state of low energy,” says Sanderfoot. “Hummingbirds in torpor lower their body temperature and metabolic rate, conserving energy. If you find a hummingbird in torpor, it may be utterly motionless and appear dead—but the bird is very much alive. It’s a brilliant strategy for coping with cold snaps.”
How to Help Hummingbirds in Freezing Weather—Without a Heater
If your feeder isn’t heated and temperatures are forecast to drop, bring your feeder indoors for the night. “Don’t feel bad if you need to bring your feeder in during an overnight freeze,” says Sanderfoot. “Putting out sugar water the next morning is an excellent way to help a hummingbird recover coming out of torpor as it warms up.”
Another simple approach is to rotate feeders. “The main way I have kept hummingbird feeders from freezing during harsh cold spells is to frequently switch feeders out,” says Rylander. “Having a fresh, warm feeder indoors, ready to be placed outside once the sugar water begins freezing in the other feeder outside, is the safest method.”
