Hummingbirds are remarkable little creatures, capable of hovering in midair and flying backwards as well as forwards. Their rapidly beating wings allow them to maneuver with precision as they dart between flowers gathering nectar. Unfortunately, this agility that serves them so well in nature can cause problems when they encounter human structures like windows. It’s not uncommon for hummingbirds to accidentally fly into windows, injuring themselves or even dying from the impact. If you find a hummingbird that has hit your window, there are a few things you can do to help it recover.
Assess the bird’s condition
The first step is to assess the condition of the bird. Gently pick it up with both hands and cup it to provide support. Be very careful, as hummingbirds have fragile bones. Check for any obvious injuries, like bleeding or broken wings or legs. Also look to see if the bird is alert and reactive. An injured hummingbird may go into a state of shock initially where it is still and unresponsive.
Provide a safe space for recovery
Place the hummingbird somewhere dark, quiet, and warm to recover. A small box or paper bag with air holes works well. You can line it with a soft cloth or towel. Keep the bird in a warm spot away from loud noises, children, and pets. The darkness will calm the bird while it regains its bearings. Don’t try to give it food or water yet.
Monitor breathing and body temperature
Check on the hummingbird every 15-20 minutes. Look to see that it is breathing normally, and check that its body is not too cold. Gently feel under its feathers to see if the skin feels warm. If the bird is breathing rapidly, making noises, or has cold skin, it likely needs medical care.
Contact a wildlife rehabilitation center
If the hummingbird does not recover within an hour or two, you will need to get it professional care. Call a local wildlife rehabilitation center or veterinarian that specializes in birds. They will be able to fully assess any internal injuries and provide supportive care until the hummingbird can be released. Make sure you contain the bird properly for transport.
Provide emergency nutritional support
If there is a significant delay getting the hummingbird to a wildlife center, you may need to give it emergency nutrition. Use a very small eyedropper or syringe (without a needle) to slowly dispense a few drops of sugar water. A good ratio is 4 parts water to 1 part white sugar. Never try to force open the beak or pour liquid down the throat. Allow the bird to take it from the dropper at its own pace. This will provide some quick energy until it can get proper care.
Protect from further collisions
Once you have cared for the injured bird, take measures to prevent future window collisions. Hummingbirds may repeatedly fly into the same windows, especially if attracted by feeders or flowering plants nearby. Apply decals with birds of prey or other deterrents to the outside of window glass. Keep feeders and plants further away from the house. Close curtains or blinds in problem areas. There are also special tape products designed to mark glass for birds.
Assessing Injuries in Hummingbirds
When you first pick up an injured hummingbird after a window collision, check for these common types of injuries:
- Cuts or bleeding – Visible lacerations or blood usually indicates significant soft tissue trauma from the impact. Look under feathers for wounds.
- Broken bones – Wings or legs bent at odd angles may signal fractures. Hummingbirds have delicate wing bones.
- Eye damage – Collision can sometimes rupture eye blood vessels or detach retinas. Look for swelling, bruising, or bleeding around the eyes.
- External bleeding – Blood coming from the beak or nostrils may signal internal head/chest injuries.
- Feather damage – Missing patches of feathers or plucking can happen with impact.
Also watch for signs of neurological issues like uneven pupil sizes, uncoordinated movements, or seizures. Get medical help immediately if you notice any of these trauma indicators.
Caring for Shock
Even a relatively minor collision can send a hummingbird into profound shock initially. Signs of shock include:
- Motionless and unresponsive
- Rapid weak breathing
- Glazed, unfocused eyes
- Pale skin under feathers
- Shivering
If the hummingbird exhibits these symptoms, it needs a quiet dark space to stabilize. Check its breathing and warmth every 20 minutes until it recovers. Shock can be fatal if the bird does not recuperate within 1-2 hours. Get wildlife rehab help if there is no improvement.
Transporting Injured Hummingbirds
When moving an injured hummingbird to a rehabilitator, follow these tips for safe transport:
- Place the bird in a ventilated box or paper bag, lined with a towel or t-shirt.
- Ensure the container is secure so the bird cannot further injure itself during transport.
- Keep the bird in a warm, dimly lit space. No direct sunlight or loud noise.
- Avoid trying to give food/water during a long transport time.
- Drive carefully to minimize bumps or jostling of the container.
- Keep the radio off and voices down during the drive.
- Notify staff the bird likely needs urgent medical triage upon arrival.
Proper transport maximizes chances of recovery for an injured hummingbird. Do not let children hold the container. Careful handling prevents exacerbating traumatic injuries.
Releasing Recovered Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds that fully recover from window collisions after rehabilitation should be released near where they were originally found. Look for habitat signs like natural flowers, shrubs, and running water sources. Release when the bird is alert, active, and eating well. Open the carrier and allow it to fly out on its own. You can provide nearby sugar water for quick nourishment after release if needed. Avoid handling the bird any more than absolutely necessary. Healthy hummingbirds survive better when able to return quickly to natural foraging in the wild.
Hazards of Windows for Hummingbirds
Windows pose a major hazard for hummingbirds because of their unique method of flight. Here are some reasons hummingbirds are prone to striking residential windows:
- Rapid forward flight – Hummingbirds can reach speeds of 30 mph in midair and may not be able to halt momentum when a window suddenly appears in their flight path.
- Hovering ability – They are the only birds that can fly in place, increasing chances of hovering right in front of a reflective window before striking it.
- Backwards flight – Hummingbirds are the only birds able to fly backwards, pulling them right into a window when they perceive a reflection as open space.
- Small size – Their tiny size makes it easy to fatally impact a hard surface like glass. Larger birds survive crashes more often.
- Aggressive territoriality – Males aggressively defending territory can repeatedly charge windows.
Understanding how hummingbirds move and perceive their environment can help in taking preventative steps to minimize window collisions. Placing markings, keeping attractants like feeders away from windows, and using screens are some of the most effective ways to make windows safer for hummingbirds.
How to Prevent Hummingbird Window Collisions
Once you have helped an injured hummingbird recover, take measures to prevent future window strikes. Here are some tips:
Apply Window Markings
Apply decals with hawks, owls, or other raptors to the exterior of glass. The silhouettes will deter hummingbirds from flying toward the perceived predator. Vertical strips of tape or decals 2-4 inches apart across the window also help mark it as a solid barrier.
Keep Attractants Away from Windows
Avoid placing hummingbird feeders or nectar plants close to windows. Hummingbirds may aggressively guard food sources, causing repeated collisions with nearby glass. Keep feeders and flowers at least 5 feet away.
Install Visible Screens
Installing screens over windows provides a visible cue that the space is not open to fly through. Use screens with smaller mesh sizes that hummingbirds cannot fit through. Make sure the frames are clearly visible.
Close Blinds or Curtains
During peak activity times, keep window coverings over large reflective glass surfaces. This removes illusion of an open path the birds may try to fly through. Automated blinds help ensure windows stay covered.
Reduce Outdoor Lighting Near Windows
Use motion sensor lighting and other methods to minimize nighttime light pollution near windows. Bright lights shining into vegetation can disorient hummingbirds and draw them toward lit glass.
Place Decals on Interior to Reduce Reflections
Apply window decals, tape or temporary artwork to interior window surfaces as well. This disrupts external reflections that trick hummingbirds into seeing habitat instead of solid glass barriers.
Providing Rehabilitation for Injured Hummingbirds
Caring for injured hummingbirds requires specialized facilities and expert training. Here are some guidelines for rehabilitation centers and the care they provide:
Intake and Triage
- Detailed assessment of injuries and stabilization of medical issues like hypothermia, blood loss.
- Pain management with diluted opioids to treat traumatic pain.
- X-rays and diagnostics to detect fractures or internal bleeding.
- Initial nutrition and hydration support with specialized feeding tubes and formulas.
Supportive Care
- Incubators or warmers to maintain optimal temperature until feathers regrow.
- Hand-feeding every 20-30 minutes from dawn until dusk.
- Physical therapy to strengthen wings and ensure proper flying capability after fractures.
- Caging with perches designed for very small birds.
- Antibiotics and antifungals to treat infections in wounds.
Release Protocols
- Weather appropriate release timing based on ability to self-feed.
- Soft release cages to transition birds back into the wild.
- Assessment of flight skills in enclosed spaces.
- Observation for 1-2 weeks in outdoor sanctuary prior to release.
- Banding for research tracking purposes.
The right rehabilitator provides an excellent chance for even severely injured hummingbirds to fully recover and successfully return to the wild after window collisions or other trauma.
Outcomes for Rehabilitated Hummingbirds
With specialized veterinary care, most injured hummingbirds have positive outcomes during rehabilitation. Here are recovery statistics from wildlife centers:
- Up to 80% of hummingbirds make a full recovery after window collisions when rehabilitated, compared to only 10-30% that survive without intervention.
- Hummingbirds with fractures or eye injuries recover in 1-3 weeks on average with excellent veterinary care.
- Rehabilitation success is higher for juvenile hummingbirds without established territories.
- Hummingbirds that recover in time for migration have good outcomes released at their migration destinations.
- In one study, 77% of rehabilitated hummingbirds were reported active in the wild after release.
The high metabolism of hummingbirds makes timely specialized care critical. But their remarkable resilience also allows impressive rehabilitation success. Windows do not need to be death traps for these unique birds.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are amazing creatures, but also very vulnerable to injuries when they collide with windows in our built environments. However, there are steps we can take to prevent window strikes and also intervene when accidents do happen. Assessing injuries, containing shock, and contacting wildlife rehabilitators can give injured hummingbirds a good chance of full recovery. Improving window visibility, moving attractants, and closing coverings are proactive ways we can protect hummingbirds from the start. With some basic knowledge and care, we can help minimize the disruptions that human structures create for these fascinating tiny birds. When it comes to hummingbird-window collisions, a little understanding and intervention goes a long way in preserving nature right in our own backyards.
