Well upon my arrival back in Virginia today found a hummingbird in my screened in porch. He looked tired and cold, yet did not appear to be physically harmed. I took him in as he could not fly. I read some stuff on the net about caring for downed hummingbirds and the began to administer some care to the little guy. A little sugar water here and some warmth via a light bulb there, and the little guy started to pep up. He tried to fly but could not. I was told not to release him at night, so I tried to make him a comfortable place to bed and fed him every 15 minutes. He seemed to be doing a ton better. Just looked again and he was dead. Man, for some reason I really liked the little guy. RIP my little friend.
Sad little story you got there, do you think he got to hot from the lighbulb? I hope you gave him a proper burial.
I read to heat them up by the lightbulb for a little bit and if they start gasping for breathe to immediately stop. He only opened up a little bit then I stopped right away. He seemed to be sticking his tongue out and getting some of the sugar water. I think he exhausted himself to the point his metabolism spun out of control.
Well you tried man. Thats all that matters. My brother's dog would always bring in baby rabbits and my mom would raise them until they could make it on their own. Some made it and some didn't. Seems to be hit or miss.
You did the right thing. Stories like this that makes it comical when anti-hunting orgs. call us ruthless killers, yet most of us are the greatest conservationists out there. Sorry about the bird. Hummingbirds, IMO, are the coolest things out there with feathers.
I LOVE hummingbirds; we've got feeders hung up everywhere. Often times when you find them on the ground like that, it's merely because their metabolism has slowed way down -- almost like a cold-blooded animal. Holding them in your hand and allowing the warmth of your body revives them almost immediately and if you open it they'll buzz right off. Sounds like yours was beyond that point for some reason. Sorry to hear the little fella died.
That sucks, they are a cool little bird. I got to see one just hammer on some flowers out in a hilly pasture last weekend out walking for sharptails. I slowed way down and probably followed it for 50 steps before some grouse ruined it by getting up about 5 yards away.
That sucks. I keep a fish tank net taped to a long stick in my garage to rescue them. My garage ceiling is 8ft tall at the door but goes up to 12ft in the back. They were attracted to the red emergency pull on the garage door opener and would come in. Their instinct is to fly up to get away and they get stuck in the twelve foot part. Can't figure out they have to come down to get back out. So I reach up and let them perch on the fish net and slowly take them outside. I have since removed the handle and now they come in after the red hand guards on my son's honda dirt bike. Now I cover that with a towel
