Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures that can hover in midair, fly backwards, and migrate thousands of miles every year. Their fast heart rate and high metabolisms mean they need to constantly refuel on nectar and small insects. However, to conserve energy, especially at night or when food is scarce, hummingbirds have the ability to go into torpor, a state of decreased physiological activity. This allows them to lower their body temperature and heart rate dramatically, using very little energy. The downside is that a torpid hummingbird appears remarkably similar to a dead one. So how can you tell if that hummingbird sitting stock still on a branch is taking a much needed nap, or has passed away? There are a few signs to look for.
Breathing
The most obvious way to determine if a hummingbird is alive is to look closely and see if you can detect any breathing movements. A torpid hummingbird takes very slow and shallow breaths that can be hard to notice. Watch the abdomen and chest area for several minutes to see if there is any slight rising and falling. Even a barely discernible movement confirms the bird is alive. A dead hummingbird will be completely still.
Body Position
A torpid hummingbird will almost always take on a distinctive body posture while in torpor. It first perches on a branch or other surface. Then it poises its body in an upright, compact position, with its tail fanned out and its head and bill pointing upwards. The feet may be drawn up close to the body or gripping the perch tightly. This minimalizes exposure and conserves heat. A dead hummingbird could end up in a similar upright pose, but is also likely to be found lying down flat or at an odd angle. The consistent torpor posture helps indicate a living bird.
Response to Stimuli
Try gently disturbing the hummingbird by lightly touching the branch it is on or making a quiet sound near it. Even in torpor, a living hummingbird will react to stimuli, if only by a small wing or tail adjustment. This is because they maintain a low level of alertness in case they need to awake quickly to danger. A deceased hummingbird will show no response. Carefully test for a reaction, watching closely for even a minor feather ruffle. This is a reliable way of confirming signs of life.
Color and Appearance
When entering torpor, a hummingbird’s metabolism slows down drastically, which can result in some visible changes. Its body temperature drops to around 60-65 F, causing the vibrant colors on its throat, crown, and elsewhere to fade and look dull. However, the overall appearance remains smooth and symmetrical, with the feathers orderly. Once deceased, the body rapidly degrades, causing the plumage to become ruffled, matted, and disheveled. The eyes often appear sunken in and cloudy. So a scruffy, chaotic appearance likely means the hummingbird has died, versus simply being in torpor.
Length of Time
Consider how long the hummingbird has been motionless. Torpor is used as a temporary energy conservation measure. A hummingbird will typically only stay in torpor for a period ranging from a few hours overnight to one or two days during inclement weather or when food is scarce. Longer than that and it is increasingly unlikely to be alive. If the hummingbird has not changed position or shown any signs of activity for multiple days, it can be assumed it has died. Torpor is not meant to be a long term hibernation.
Return to Normal
The best confirmation a hummingbird is in torpor and not dead is if it eventually returns to normal active behavior. Listen and watch closely for a resumption of faster breathing, a quick body shake, and twitching movements as it comes out of torpor. It may flutter its wings, preen its feathers, and perk up its alert head posture. Soon it will take flight and resume typical feeding and behavior. This is definitive proof it was only in a temporary dormant state and has regained consciousness and vigor.
Conclusion
Telling the difference between a torpid hummingbird and a dead one can be tricky. But looking for signs of breath, reaction to touch, upright posture, a rumpled appearance, length of motionlessness, and eventual awakening provide clues to the bird’s true condition. With patient observation, you can determine if the hummingbird is simply asleep to conserve energy, or has actually perished. Let a torpid hummingbird rest in peace until it can continue its busy hummingbird life. And if it has died, you can pay respects to the little creature knowing it lived its days zipping from flower to flower at top speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can a hummingbird stay in torpor?
Hummingbirds can remain in torpor for up to 2-3 days when necessary due to cold temperatures or lack of food. At night they may enter torpor for 10-12 hours. Longer than 3 days and the hummingbird is unlikely to still be alive.
What happens to a hummingbird’s heart rate and breathing in torpor?
A torpid hummingbird’s heart rate slows from around 500 beats per minute to 50-180 bpm. Their breathing drops from around 250 breaths per minute to just 2-10. This dramatic decline in physiological activity allows them to conserve a tremendous amount of energy.
Do hummingbirds sleep while in torpor?
No, torpor is more like a very deep rest state, but hummingbirds do not sleep during torpor. They remain somewhat alert and can be roused by external stimuli. When not in torpor, hummingbirds sleep much like other birds, usually at night.
Can you touch a torpid hummingbird?
It’s best not to touch a torpid hummingbird. However, gently disturbing it by lightly touching a branch or making a quiet noise near it can help determine if it is alive based on any minimal reaction. Don’t directly prod or handle the bird.
Do hummingbirds die naturally in torpor?
No, torpor is not directly fatal for hummingbirds. However, there is some risk that a starving or very cold hummingbird may not have the energy reserves to fully awaken from a prolonged torpor. But torpor itself is a survival mechanism, not a cause of death.
How do you know when a hummingbird is dead?
Signs a hummingbird has died and not just in torpor include a complete lack of movement and reaction to stimuli for an extended time, rigor mortis in the body, disheveled feathers, sunken eyes, buildup of bodily fluids, rotten odor, or obvious injuries. The body will deteriorate quickly.
What do you do with a dead hummingbird?
Dead hummingbirds can be disposed of in a couple respectful ways. You can place the body in a small box and bury it in the ground. Or put it in a paper bag weighted with a rock and place in a river or stream to decompose naturally. Avoid touching the body with bare hands.
Can a hummingbird recover from near death?
Hummingbirds are resilient, and it is possible for one to recover from the brink of death under the right conditions. If provided an immediate source of sugar water or nectar, a severely hypoglycemic hummingbird may gain enough energy to get back to normal functioning.
How do I know when to stop trying to resuscitate a hummingbird?
If a hummingbird is unresponsive after 30 minutes of providing shelter, warmth and nectar, it likely will not recover. Once the body becomes stiff, the eyes glaze over, or there are no breathing attempts, it is too late for resuscitation. The most critical factor is quick intervention.
Key Points
- Check for any detectable breathing movement in the abdomen and chest area.
- Look for the characteristic upright, compact torpor posture.
- Gently test for a response to stimuli by disturbing the branch or making a quiet sound.
- Examine the overall appearance – a messy, unkempt look suggests death.
- Consider how long the hummingbird has been motionless – more than 2-3 days is unlikely to be torpor.
- Confirmation of life is when the bird awakens and resumes normal active behavior.
