A park ranger has grow to be a TikTok wildlife star after revealing how interacting with hummingbirds can increase individuals's moods.

James Manzolillo, 34 - often called HumDaddy to followers - has greater than 720,000 TikTok followers due to his tips about the best way to feed and look after the tiny nectar-eating birds.

James - from Oakland, California - started to note the birds when he suffered from melancholy after the deaths of his grandmother and his aunt left him "in a very low place."

However a hummingbird flew as much as him whereas he was sitting on his balcony someday and reminded him "that I might nonetheless really feel happiness, that I used to be nonetheless alive."

Now James creates elaborate costumes and props to work together with the tiny hummingbirds in his neighborhood.

He instructed Newsflash: "I've at all times beloved animals since I used to be a small baby. I might reduce out photos of untamed animals from nature magazines and play with them for hours.

"I've additionally labored as an animal rehabilitation technician, serving to injured or orphaned animals get their second probability at life.

"I'm now a Park Ranger the place I get to be an advocate for nature each day.

"What I like most about hummingbirds is how daring and courageous they are often regardless of their very small measurement.

"They provide me the inspiration to be daring in life, and to not be afraid.

"To be your self regardless of any setbacks you may face, like being a very small hummingbird however nonetheless having a bigger than life character."

He added: "Hummingbirds eat flower nectar which may be mimicked by mixing 4 cups of water with one cup of white granulated sugar. It must be white granulated sugar solely! They eat double their physique weight in nectar each day. They'll additionally eat over 1,000 bugs a day."

Hummingbirds, TikTok, HumDaddy
James Manzolillo, 34, often known as HumDaddy, who lives in Oakland, USA, feeds a hummingbird in an uncommon approach.@hum.daddy/Zenger

James instructed Newsflash: "Hummingbirds are seen all 12 months spherical within the space the place I dwell so I'm able to feed them each day.

"Different elements of North American solely get hummingbirds within the spring and summer time months."

Following a string of viral movies on TikTok, James stated: "All of it got here as a shock and an ideal honor.

"The truth that I owe all of it to the hummingbirds just isn't misplaced on me. They're the true stars of the present.

"I am simply so glad and blessed that they've given me an outlet to be myself and lean right into a craft that I discover a lot pleasure in doing.

"Arising with new, modern methods to feed birds is a blast and has been such a thrill.

"I might like individuals to know that nature may be so extremely therapeutic. Should you're ever in search of free remedy, go to nature. We should defend it in any respect prices."

James instructed Newsflash: "Oftentimes, individuals criticize me for 'having an excessive amount of time on my fingers.' I might prefer to normalize utilizing our free time to do one thing productive for our personal psychological well being and betterment.

"As a substitute of enjoying video video games for hours, or going out to bars on the weekend, I select to make use of my free time crafting up new enjoyable methods to work together with nature.

"I might like individuals to know that it is okay to be totally different and to make use of your time nonetheless you see match.

"I've turned this pastime right into a facet hustle promoting hummingbird feeders and making some further revenue doing one thing that I really like. And within the course of, I've discovered myself."

This story was offered to Newsweek by Zenger Information.