Sherry B., good friend of mine who is not a blogger but who loves birds, wrote me the following email with advice on how to care for a hummingbird in trouble. I learned something and thought you all would like to know, too.
"... a couple of years ago we had an emergency here with humming birds dropping to the ground like flies (awful!) - turned out to be contaminated feed. Anyway, in a panic I got on the internet and found out what to do at such times you find them sick or injured. Get a shoebox, punch holes in the lid for air, line the bottom with toilet paper, and put the bird(s) in it for 15 minutes. Then take them out to the feeder, stick their beak in the hole to get a drink. Open hand and see if they will fly away; if not, bring back in to the shoebox for another 15 minutes. Repeat as often as necessary. I've done so many this way and have only lost one. Now every time I buy shoes I make sure I keep the box for my hummingbird hospital. :-) "
Thanks, Sherry! I'm going to get a shoebox ready....just in case.
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12 comments:
Oh that's awful!! Those poor little hummers. That was so nice of Sherry to care for them. Thanks for the advise!!
Isn't this the problem. If you are going to feed them, you really must practice proper hygiene.
Great post. Wonderful photos.
Great info, Mary.. I'll remember that in case I ever see one on the ground. Hope yours is okay....Have you seen it again???
Hugs,
Betsy
never knew this! Good to know! I've been cleaning my hummer feeders about 3 times a week - maybe I should increase it.
Have you ever seen a heron standing like in this photograph, with its wings held like a cormorant drying its wings?
click here for the photograph
I'm going to take a note of this and put it in my bird folder. Thanks for sharing it Mary. Good to know.
Good advice it seems Mary.
Jenn Jilkes: Thanks for the link for more hummingbird information. I find it really hard to keep my feeders clean and know that I forget sometimes. I almost hate to hang one up. However, if I'm going to do it then I need to do it right and make sure it is squeeky clean all the time...despite the work.
Quillcards: I couldn't figure out how to leave a comment on your sitet. No, I have never seen them do that. From the back it looks like a "flasher" opening his raincoat!
I'm so glad you were able to help the little one. And your timing is great - I have two shoe boxes in the garage waiting to be recycled. I'll save them from tear down and set aside for hummingbird emergencies.
Thanks for the info Mary. I've never found one, but you never know...
B.
Unfortunately I don't need this advice as I have never had a hummer.(sigh)
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