Hummingbird: Coexisting with Wildlife
There are seven species of hummingbirds in San Diego County and 80% of those brought to Project Wildlife are Anna's hummingbirds. It's important to know that hummingbirds need food often and have to stay warm. If you find an injured or orphaned hummingbird, they should be brought to Project Wildlife as soon as possible.
If You Find a Hummingbird on the Ground
If you find an injured or orphaned hummingbird on the ground, lift them (along with the material they are sitting on), and place them on crumpled tissue in a small box with holes in the lid. Always use tissue or paper towels, NOT cloth. The bird’s feet may become entangled in the cloth. Provide the bird with a low heat source but be careful not to overheat the bird. If the bird starts open-mouth breathing or their neck is outstretched, it is too hot.
When a Hummingbird Flies Inside
It can be challenging to remove a hummingbird who has flown inside because the birds will always fly to a high point in the room or house, sometimes to a skylight.
- One method is to first cover all the windows while leaving one escape route open, such as an open patio door. The bird will then have to be coaxed away from the ceiling and out that door.
- Another method is to wait for the hummingbird to become exhausted and fall to the ground. In this situation, it's important to feed the bird before releasing them outside.
Food & Water
Hummingbirds can become very ill if they are not fed every four hours during the day. Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and should be transferred to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible so that they can be started on a properly balanced diet. Hummingbirds cannot survive purely on sugar water or commercial nectar.
In Case Emergency Food is Needed
- Mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
- This can be administered with an eyedropper being careful not to get the bird wet.
- It's important to know that this is only a temporary diet to keep them alive. Hummingbirds cannot survive purely on sugar water or commercial nectar.
IF YOU FIND A BABY HUMMINGBIRD, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FEED THEM! GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.
- Try to keep the baby in the nest if possible.
- If not, line a plastic margarine cup (or similar) with tissue and keep the baby warm (this is essential) by placing them under a lamp about 5 inches away from the bulb.
- Do not overheat the bird. If the bird starts open-mouth breathing or their neck is outstretched, it is too hot. Overheating can kill the bird.
- Keep the baby warm to an outside temperature between 85-90 degrees.
When Does a Hummingbird Need to Come to Project Wildlife?
- Caught by a cat or dog. If they are caught by a cat or dog, they need to come to Project Wildlife because the bites can be very infectious and deadly to all birds. Please inform the staff that the bird was caught.
- Found on the ground. If hummingbirds are found on the ground, please try to find the nest and place the bird back. Please watch the nest for one hour to see if the mom returns. The nest should be watched closely as it will only take the mom 3 - 4 seconds to feed and leave again.
- Bleeding or injured in any way. The animal must come to Project Wildlife if bleeding or injured in any way.
- It is thought that the nest has been abandoned. A mother typically won't abandon their young unless something has happened to her. The nest must be watched closely because it takes only a few seconds for her to feed them 3-4 times an hour and leave. Watch for an hour before assuming the baby is abandoned.
- Has flown into window and doesn't fly off. If a hummingbird has flown into a window, is not bleeding and doesn't fly away, place them in a safe place out of the sun for 15-20 minutes. If the bird has not flown away, they have sustained head injuries and need help.
Instructions
- Hummingbirds who need to come to Project Wildlife should be gently picked up and placed on tissue in a box with holes.
- Never use cloth as their feet can become entangled in the fibers.
- The animal also may need some heat by using a gooseneck lamp or heating pad but never too much heat.
About Hummingbirds:
- Only found in the Americas, most are tropical or sub-tropical.
- If there are many nectar-producing flowers in the area, hummingbirds can feed and nest there. This includes areas 5,000 meters above sea level.
- Ninety percent of their diet comes from nectar while the other 10% is from insects such as flies and wasps.
- Predators include snakes, falcons and owls. Nest predators include jays and some bats.
- Able to live up to 10 years.
- Males breed with multiple females and then leave the task of nest building and caring for offspring to them.
- Breeding occurs when conditions permit and can happen up to two times in one year.
- Females lay two eggs during breeding season.
- Smaller hummingbirds can flap their wings up to 70-80 times per second.
- Heartbeats range from 500-600 beats per minute when the hummingbird is resting and can skyrocket past 1,000 beats per minute when in motion.
- At night they go into torpor, a state of suspended animation, to conserve energy.
- Unlike most other vertebrates, hummingbirds can see ultraviolet light, which may help them find flowers with ultraviolet patterns.
Setting Up a Hummingbird Feeder:
- Do not place hummingbird feeders near a window. Although beautiful to watch, hummingbirds may fly to the feeder reflected in the window and injure themselves on the glass.
- Never use honey to make hummingbird food. Always make the food with clean water and pure white sugar, 4 parts water to one part sugar. Change the feeder every few days to avoid bacterial growth.
- Keep your pet cat indoors if you have hummingbirds in your yard. Due to their tiny size, hummingbirds are easy prey to an agile cat.
