How do you revive a stunned hummingbird?

Hummingbirds are amazing little creatures, but they are also very delicate. Sometimes hummingbirds will fly into windows or get caught in bad weather, leaving them stunned or unconscious on the ground. While this can be alarming, there are steps you can take to help revive a hummingbird and allow it to fly away unharmed.

Why do hummingbirds get stunned?

Hummingbirds are vulnerable to becoming stunned for a few key reasons:

• Their small size and lightweight bodies make them prone to injury from flying into objects or being buffeted by strong winds.
• They have a very high metabolism and need to eat frequently. If they cannot eat enough to fuel their high energy level, they can become weak and pass out.
• Extreme heat or cold can cause their tiny bodies to go into shock, leading to stunned consciousness.
• Pesticides from gardens and toxins in nectar from flowers can poison hummingbirds and impair their functioning.

Understanding why hummingbirds often get stunned is important context for knowing how to properly revive them when needed. Their delicate constitutions mean they need gentle, careful treatment to recover.

How to tell if a hummingbird is stunned

Here are the signs that a hummingbird you’ve found is stunned rather than dead:

• Its eyes are closed, and it is not moving or reacting to stimuli.
• It is still warm to the touch and its body has not stiffened or started to decompose.
• You do not see any obvious injuries or wounds on its body.
• You may see slight breathing movements in its chest or throat.

A hummingbird that is stunned will appear motionless with its eyes closed, but its body will still feel warm and its chest may rise and fall minimally with breath. Check carefully for any signs of life before proceeding. If you determine the hummingbird is dead, you can dispose of its body humanely.

Step-by-step instructions

If you find a hummingbird that seems to be stunned, follow these steps:

1. Gently pick it up and cradle it in your hands, trying not to restrict its chest from breathing.
2. Carefully inspect its body to check for any injuries or compound fractures. If you see substantial wounds, it is best to call a wildlife rehabilitation center for advice.
3. Place the hummingbird in a small box lined with soft cloth or paper towels.
4. Position the box somewhere dark, quiet, and warm—around 75-80°F.
5. Provide a very shallow lid or cap of sugar water (1 part white sugar to 4 parts water). Only provide a few droplets at a time via a dropper or your fingertip.
6. Leave the hummingbird alone in this dark, quiet space for 30-45 minutes.
7. Check on it periodically. Do not touch it but watch to see if it moves on its own or drinks the sugar water.
8. Once it seems to recover and perk up, carefully take it outside and open the box. It may fly away immediately or need more time before taking off.
9. If it does not revive within a few hours, contact a wildlife rehabilitator.
10. Thoroughly clean the box to remove any pathogens before helping any other hummingbirds.

The main steps are to safely contain the hummingbird, allow it to rest in a controlled environment, provide some quick energy, and patiently observe its recovery process. Avoid excessive noise or stimulation. The darkness and warmth will help it gradually regain consciousness.

Tips for safe handling

When handling a stunned hummingbird, keep these tips in mind:

• Always wash your hands before and after contact.
• Use latex gloves if possible so your scent does not transfer to its feathers.
• Hold the hummingbird cupped in both hands to restrict its movement but not compress its chest.
• Carefully contain it in a paper bag or box; do not use plastic bags.
• Avoid sudden movements or loud noises which may further distress it.
• Do not try to force feed it with an eyedropper.
• Handle it as minimally as possible and release it quickly once revived.

Hummingbirds have very delicate bones, so handle them gently. Minimize the amount you need to hold them while containing them safely for recovery.

What to avoid

When trying to revive a stunned hummingbird, there are a few things you should avoid:

• Do not offer it plain water, cow’s milk, or sugar cubes—this can be dangerous.
• Avoid handling it more than necessary; this can cause further stress and injury.
• Do not attempt to give it CPR or perform chest compressions.
• Do not try to feed it any insect or worm foods.
• Do not use a plastic container, which can trap condensation.
• Avoid keeping it in sunlight or excessive heat like a parked car.
• Do not use fabric lined with synthetic fibers, which may snag its feet.
• Never give it drugs, chemicals, or home remedies.

It’s crucial to create a safe, stable environment for the hummingbird to recover on its own terms. Well-meaning but misguided efforts can do more harm than good.

Recovery timeline

The amount of time it takes a stunned hummingbird to fully recover can vary based on different factors:

• Severity of injury or shock to its body
• Age and overall health before stunning occurred
• Length of time unconscious or deprived of oxygen/food
• If exposure to cold, heat, or toxins was involved
• How soon it receives appropriate care and sugar water

In ideal circumstances, you may see signs of recovery within 30 minutes, such as the hummingbird moving, opening its eyes, or drinking on its own. Other times, the process can take a few hours. If you do not observe improvement within 6 hours, the prognosis worsens.

Patience is key, as some hummingbirds revive quickly while others need additional rest before stabilizing. Don’t give up hope in the first 2-3 hours.

When to call for help

In some situations, it is best to contact a professional wildlife rehabilitator right away if you find an injured or stunned hummingbird. Recommended times to phone for expert assistance include:

• You notice any substantial injuries, compound fractures, or wounds.
• The hummingbird remains unconscious for over 2 hours with no improvement.
• Its condition seems to deteriorate or go downhill despite your care.
• You do not have a viable way to provide safe containment and darkness.
• You lack experience handling delicate hummingbirds.
• You do not have access to white granulated sugar and clean water.

Rehabilitation centers have specialized supplies and expertise to give hummingbirds supplemental fluids, nutritional support, and appropriate triage care. Let the experts handle any severe medical issues or unresponsive states.

Can a hummingbird recover fully?

With proper prompt care, a stunned hummingbird can make a full recovery. Hummingbirds are resilient, and their high metabolisms allow them to bounce back quickly once revived.

Complete recovery is very possible as long as there are no significant underlying injuries or illnesses contributing to their stunned state. Given appropriate rehabilitation, the majority of hummingbirds return to normal functioning.

Key factors that allow full rehabilitation include:

• A short period of being stunned—under 2 hours optimally.
• Immediate access to sugar water for energy.
• Proper body temperature regulation while unconscious.
• Careful handling without causing additional harm or stress.
• Timely medical intervention if any underlying issues or injuries.

With quick supportive care in a safe environment, stunned hummingbirds can make remarkable turnarounds. Pay close attention in the first few hours, and be ready to contact a wildlife expert if needed. But in most cases, your efforts will allow the hummingbird to stabilize and regain its vibrant energy.

Can a revived hummingbird survive in the wild?

Hummingbirds that fully recover from being stunned can definitely go on to survive and thrive back in the wild. Their natural instincts take over again once they have regained consciousness, balance, and strength.

Here are reasons a properly rehabilitated hummingbird will fare well after release:

• Its flying, feeding, and defensive skills are intact after recovery.
• The stunning incident is unlikely to make it shun or fear humans.
• Being stunned briefly does not alter its physiology or digestion.
• Hummingbirds are not social, so it won’t miss being with humans.
• It knows the native food sources and predators in its home territory.
• Release occurs quickly before it can imprint on humans.

Barring any serious underlying health issues, a rehabilitated hummingbird retains everything it needs to pick up right where it left off. With some rest and food, its natural survival behaviors kick right back in. Monitor it initially after release to be sure it is flying well on its own.

Preventing hummingbirds from hitting windows

One common way hummingbirds become stunned is by flying into windows they do not see. Here are smart tips to make your windows more visible to hummingbirds and prevent collisions:

• Apply decals with visible patterns to window exteriors.
• Hang ribbons, beads, or other markers on the outside to break up reflections.
• Use soap, hairspray, or tempera paint to create dots on the glass.
• Position bird feeders and baths at least 3 feet from windows.
• Add ultraviolet reflective gel clings that birds can see.
• Keep windows clean to minimize appealing reflections.
• Install insect screens on exterior windows to create a barrier.
• Close drapes and blinds when practical to block reflections.

Taking a few simple precautions can make your windows more visible and less likely to trick hummingbirds. Proactively protect them from this common danger.

Conclusion

Reviving a stunned hummingbird is very possible with quick, careful action. By recognizing signs of distress and following safe handling procedures, you can assist hummingbirds to make full recoveries. Some key takeaways are to regulate temperature, hydrate with sugar water, minimize handling, and create a quiet environment for recovery. Act promptly at the first signs of trauma, and reach out for wildlife rehabilitator expertise when needed. With appropriate care, a healthy hummingbird will soon regain its energy and ability to thrive in the wild.