HummViewer on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost, who are the founders, and how to attract the most fascinating hummingbirds
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: HummViewer co-founder John Creed has invented a novel approach to observing hummingbirds, which comprises a welding mask, imitation flowers, and rubber tubing. Now he is bringing his product to pitch in front of celebrity investors in a brand-new episode of 'Shark Tank' Season 14.
Hummingbirds are undeniably appealing to people. Some folks even have a suction cup feeder attached to their kitchen window. This allows a family to have a close-up look at them in action. Because they move so quickly, you can scarcely see their wings. HummViewer can be a treat for those individuals. But, will the Sharks find the product fascinating enough to invest in? Let's learn more about the product before the founders of the company pitch their inventions during the latest episode on December 2.
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What is HummViewer?
The HummViewer is a hummingbird feeder mask that allows you to observe hummingbirds up close as they are drinking nectar from blooms. This mask is a plastic shield that totally covers your face and head. This mask has fake flowers and rubber tubes affixed to the front, with hummingbird food within the tubes (sugar and hot water). When hummingbirds arrive in quest of nectar, they discover synthetic flowers and rubber tubes that resemble genuine flowers. As a result, birds flock to the mask in search of nectar.
Hummingbirds are unquestionably among the most fascinating birds to observe. Their antics resemble a small "Cirque du Soleil." Their jewel-tone feathers (sapphire blue, iridescent red, coppery orange, emerald green) glitter in the sunlight as they perform impossible acrobatics, their wings beating 20 times a second (100 times per second while mating), zipping by to stop mid-flight on a dime, flying straight up or straight down, or levitating in place. Because of their wings' capacity to move in a figure-eight pattern, they are the only birds that can fly backward. The rhythm enhances the spectacle, which is a harmonic montage of their wings buzzing, either brief and mild chirps or long and harsh chirps, depending on the mood of every single hummingbird.
Features of HummViewer
John refined the HummViewer for both bird and human safety. The flowers and feeding tubes are protected by a strong, adjustable transparent plastic cover with three pre-drilled holes. For optimal comfort, the shield is linked to a helmet cushioned with thick rubber.
Three vivid red feeder blooms mimic the calla lily, a preferred nectar source for hummingbirds.
There are three feeding tubes and a bulb for supplying nectar to the feeder tubes. Nectar may be simply made for a fraction of the cost of commercial nectar and without the use of artificial flavors, preservatives, or red color. One part granulated table sugar to four parts tap water produces the closest match to the natural sucrose content of floral nectar.
Cleaning brushes for the tubes and a microfiber cloth for the mask.
A cloth bag in which to store the HummViewer.
Who are the founders of HummViewer?
HummViewer is owned by Joan and John Creed, who founded it in 2017.
Since he was a child, John has been intrigued with hummingbirds while spending summers at his family's home in Westcliff, Colorado. Hummingbirds swarmed the feeder-lined deck, and he was enthralled. When he wasn't monitoring them, he was studying all he could about them, including their many species, behaviors, and migration patterns. He could see every small detail when the cameras zoomed in and shot the birds' antics in slow motion when he viewed a television program on them. John was determined to discover a method to get up and personal with hummingbirds. The HummViewer was born as a consequence. “I just figured out a way to make something that would work and here we are,” John said.
“I saw a thing on TV a little documentary about them which was really interesting...but they had really up close slo-mo pictures and I wondered how you could get up that close,” he said.
John began with a welding mask, plastic flowers, and rubber tubing. When he initially tried it, the birds passed him by, then got intrigued, and then stopped long enough to take a mouthful of nectar. He continued to alter the mask and, through trial and error, built the HummViewer. He could go so near to the birds that he could feel the breeze on their wings and see their long-forked tongues reach deep into the tube for honey. He observed as they jostled for position to get to the flowers, and he saw that the friendly birds were staring at him, as if to say, "S'up?"
For the superstitious, witnessing a hummingbird is a sign of renewed hope at the end of a tough moment, or that the spirit of a departed loved one is close by.
Joan, like John, developed an appreciation for nature as a youngster while skiing and exploring the Colorado Rockies, where she would later settle and marry John. Every house they've lived in has had hummingbird feeders outside, and she's been captivated by their ferocious behavior and the way they engage with humans.
The Creeds' love of hummingbirds motivated them to create a device that would allow them to have a better look at them. John spent hours creating, measuring, drilling, painting, and resizing his first hummingbird feeder mask, then carried it to the cabin, and it worked! One hummingbird eventually came to a halt long enough to dip its beak into the water and take a long sip. They could see her forked tongue consuming honey within the feeder tube and feel the breeze caused by her wings when the bird established eye contact with them. It was fantastic to witness this all unfold in front of their eyes. It is their honest desire to assist more people in discovering the wonder of bird watching and experiencing the joy these amazing creatures bring into our lives.
What is the cost of HummViewer and where to buy it from?
They're not cheap at $74.95, but it's a unique opportunity to see these creatures. The bird mask can be purchased on the company's official website. They are also available for purchase at www.thebirdhousechick.com. A satisfied user left a review after using the product, "What a fun Hummingbird feeder! My backyard has always been a haven for Hummingbirds. I grow several types of flowers that attract them and always have my feeders full. The first time I wore it they never even hesitated to come right up and feed. It’s really interesting to see them from behind the mask. Kuddos for coming up with this idea!"
Where is HummViewer now?
John contacted 9NEWS, Denver's NBC affiliate news station, to see if they would be interested in using the HummViewer for their series "The Most Colorado Thing We Saw Today." They most emphatically were! A reporter and photographer visited John's family cabin, where he was having his annual "adult camp" with his childhood buddies. They acted like kids again, walking the slack line, playing ladder ball, hiking, and simply hanging together, reminiscing about their youth. The highlight of the trip, though, was observing hummingbirds using the HummViewer. That part of the news was named one of the year's "9 Most Inspiring Stories." This piqued the interest of 'Shark Tank' producers, and he is now looking for a Shark to assist him in expanding his sales.
Who will steal the deal?
Shark Mark Cuban may dismiss it as a "product, not a company" and bail out of a deal. However, the other Sharks could be intrigued. If the margins are excellent, Mr Wonderful, aka Shark Kevin O'Leary, will make the Creeds a royalty offer. Since Shark Daymond John is a nature lover, he may make an offer as well, but viewers should anticipate it to be a 'Sharky' one. Daniel Lubetzky and Lori Greiner are the remaining Sharks. If Lori believes this is a 'hero,' she will make a competitive offer and have it on QVC the next morning. Daniel will either accompany her or back out. Keep an eye on this pitch to see how it plays out.
'Shark Tank' Season 14 Episode 8 airs on ABC on December 2, 2022, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like ShredSkinz, Fire Fighter 1, Sliimey Honey, HummViewer, and an update from Basepaws.
Missed an episode? Been wanting to catch up? Episodes can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu. Not just that, you can also watch old seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.