The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
My wife found a hungry baby hummingbird today chirping away in our yard. It could barely fly, but would feed from the feeder when she held it up to it. We were going to leave it outside, but it started to rain. Also, it was making a lot of noise and there are plenty of hungry cats that would respond unfavorably. Due to the above, we decided to care for it a few days until it could fend for itself.
Here are some photos of the tiny fellow.
f6bb401f.jpg
2011-09-18_17-30-28_866.jpg
60e1038f.jpg
Here are some photos of the tiny fellow.
f6bb401f.jpg
2011-09-18_17-30-28_866.jpg
60e1038f.jpg
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
Originally Posted by grip grip
My wife found a hungry baby hummingbird today chirping away in our yard. It could barely fly, but would feed from the feeder when she held it up to it. We were going to leave it outside, but it started to rain. Also, it was making a lot of noise and there are plenty of hungry cats that would respond unfavorably. Due to the above, we decided to care for it a few days until it could fend for itself.
Here are some photos of the tiny fellow.
Here are some photos of the tiny fellow.
It probably is too weak to fly after a long flight down. Maybe it did not eat enough before it left and is probably not going to survive outside too long if it does not fatten up. It should go to a sanctuary where they can feed it properly, fatten it up and send it on its way.
All our HB's have left here, we last saw them in the garden on Thursday. They have gone to South America for the winter and spring.
Senior Member
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
Originally Posted by KimPossible
How cute ..... I hope it makes it. Its hard to say if it is a baby or not, all of the HB's are so tiny and fragile.
Senior Member
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
Jim, I think this is the video you were talking about. It is really cute. Lots of work to teach those little guys to fly & feed themselves.
Rescued Baby Hummingbird - YouTube
Rescued Baby Hummingbird - YouTube
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
When we lived out West, we would easily have 20 of them fighting to eat and occasionally would have them fly in an open door to have a look, but never got more than 12" from them. We don't have nearly that many these days, but the ones in our area should be leaving soon with the weather changes we've had. Between three of us with various feeders, they should be fattened up good for their trip.
Good luck, but 180 is right, if you have a bird sanctuary nearby it would be best to go to them. If not, just keep doing your best, no red dye though. Keep us posted.
Good luck, but 180 is right, if you have a bird sanctuary nearby it would be best to go to them. If not, just keep doing your best, no red dye though. Keep us posted.
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
Originally Posted by KimPossible
Jim, I think this is the video you were talking about. It is really cute. Lots of work to teach those little guys to fly & feed themselves.
Rescued Baby Hummingbird - YouTube
Rescued Baby Hummingbird - YouTube
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
This morning my wife was able to get in touch with the local animal rescue. The little HB will reside with them until Spring and at that point it will be released.
The guy said it would have certainly died if we'd left it outside overnight. That little HB better be glad my old eyes spotted him after the wife walked past it.
Anyway, hopefully this is a happy end to the story.
The guy said it would have certainly died if we'd left it outside overnight. That little HB better be glad my old eyes spotted him after the wife walked past it.
Anyway, hopefully this is a happy end to the story.
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
For some reason in the spring HB's are attracted to my open garage (no it's not because of the crossfire) and they get trapped inside. They will buzz around the white drywall ceiling trying to get out but will not exit through the open garage doors. They will occasionally land on a light fixture or garage opener to rest but will not come down. I have tried coaxing them with the feeder and even flowers but I always end up getting the ladder and simply picking them off their perch feeding them for a few minutes and then releasing.
They need nectar frequently to survive.
Now, we have a house rule that the garage doors are kept only half open during HB season.......got to keep these little beauties safe.
They need nectar frequently to survive.
Now, we have a house rule that the garage doors are kept only half open during HB season.......got to keep these little beauties safe.
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
Originally Posted by SparkieSRT6
For some reason in the spring HB's are attracted to my open garage (no it's not because of the crossfire) and they get trapped inside. They will buzz around the white drywall ceiling trying to get out but will not exit through the open garage doors. They will occasionally land on a light fixture or garage opener to rest but will not come down. I have tried coaxing them with the feeder and even flowers but I always end up getting the ladder and simply picking them off their perch feeding them for a few minutes and then releasing.
They need nectar frequently to survive.
Now, we have a house rule that the garage doors are kept only half open during HB season.......got to keep these little beauties safe.
They need nectar frequently to survive.
Now, we have a house rule that the garage doors are kept only half open during HB season.......got to keep these little beauties safe.
We get them, all breeds, in our warehouses. Seems theonly way to get them out.
roadster with a stick
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
Originally Posted by Franc Rauscher
try leaving the doors open and shut off allthe lights, just at sunset. generaly the birds head for light. If not, they tend to roost in the dark. easier to catch.
We get them, all breeds, in our warehouses. Seems theonly way to get them out.
roadster with a stick
We get them, all breeds, in our warehouses. Seems theonly way to get them out.
roadster with a stick
I'll try your suggestion and maybe I should close the garage doors and open the rear man door for a more concentrated point of light. I'll willing to try anything.
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Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
Originally Posted by grip grip
This morning my wife was able to get in touch with the local animal rescue. The little HB will reside with them until Spring and at that point it will be released.
The guy said it would have certainly died if we'd left it outside overnight. That little HB better be glad my old eyes spotted him after the wife walked past it.
Anyway, hopefully this is a happy end to the story.
The guy said it would have certainly died if we'd left it outside overnight. That little HB better be glad my old eyes spotted him after the wife walked past it.
Anyway, hopefully this is a happy end to the story.
Let's face it a diet of sugar is not good and an overweight hummer would not fly too well.
Hand feeding Hummingbirds - Ketchikan Alaska Tours - YouTube
We feed the hummers all summer, from May to September, they left last week on Thursday. We have a lot of flowers in the garden so they eat there and at the feeder.
If we stand by the feeder they will hover a foot from our faces and look us in the eyes, amazing little creatures.
I held one that had been trapped in our garage, exhausted it lay in my hand, I cooled it with water. It suddenly took off and was gone.
I found an old nest in a bush, a perfectly shaped cup, it was about one and a half inches in diameter.
Last edited by onehundred80; 09-20-2011 at 11:41 AM.
Re: The wife is raising a baby hummingbird.
Originally Posted by onehundred80
HBs eat small insects as well so a varied diet is essential to their health.
Let's face it a diet of sugar is not good and an overweight hummer would not fly too well.
Hand feeding Hummingbirds - Ketchikan Alaska Tours - YouTube
We feed the hummers all summer, from May to September, they left last week on Thursday. We have a lot of flowers in the garden so they eat there and at the feeder.
If we stand by the feeder they will hover a foot from our faces and look us in the eyes, amazing little creatures.
I held one that had been trapped in our garage, exhausted it lay in my hand, I cooled it with water. It suddenly took off and was gone.
I found an old nest in a bush, a perfectly shaped cup, it was about one and a half inches in diameter.
Let's face it a diet of sugar is not good and an overweight hummer would not fly too well.
Hand feeding Hummingbirds - Ketchikan Alaska Tours - YouTube
We feed the hummers all summer, from May to September, they left last week on Thursday. We have a lot of flowers in the garden so they eat there and at the feeder.
If we stand by the feeder they will hover a foot from our faces and look us in the eyes, amazing little creatures.
I held one that had been trapped in our garage, exhausted it lay in my hand, I cooled it with water. It suddenly took off and was gone.
I found an old nest in a bush, a perfectly shaped cup, it was about one and a half inches in diameter.