Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures that capture the imagination with their beauty and aerobatic abilities. They are also surprisingly fragile when it comes to their young. Baby hummingbirds often face abandonment due to various circumstances, leaving them in need of dedicated human care in order to survive. Taking care of these tiny birds requires knowledge, preparation and commitment. With the right approach, an abandoned baby hummingbird can be nursed back to health and released into the wild. This article provides a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about caring for orphaned baby hummingbirds.
How to identify an abandoned baby hummingbird
The first step is being able to correctly identify when you have come across an abandoned baby hummingbird that requires intervention and rehabilitation. Here are the signs:
– Found on the ground: Healthy fledgling hummingbirds will be protected by their mothers in the nest or close-by branches. A baby alone on the ground is likely abandoned.
– Bald or only partially feathered: Baby hummingbirds fledge the nest when they are around 3 weeks old. By this time they will be fully feathered. A bald or partially feathered baby has likely fallen from the nest prematurely.
– Constant loud squeaking: Abandoned chicks will vocalize loudly and constantly to call for their absent parents. Healthy chicks only squeak occasionally when hungry.
– Lethargic: Babies that are abandoned quickly become lethargic and unresponsive due to lack of food. They will have very little energy or movement.
– Cold to the touch: Being unable to self-regulate their body temperature, abandoned chicks will feel cold. Their temperature should mirror their surroundings.
If you observe any of these signs, it is vital to intervene promptly to give the baby hummingbird its best chance of survival. Do not assume the parents are still caring for it or wait to see if they return.
How to rescue the baby hummingbird
Once identified, these are the steps to safely rescue an abandoned baby hummingbird:
– Gently pick up the chick and place it in a small box or ventilated container lined with a soft cloth. Avoid any direct contact with your hands. Use gloves or a feather to move them if possible.
– Do not give it food or water right away. This can be dangerous if the chick is weak or cold.
– Keep the box warm during transport by placing a heating pad or microwavable heat pack underneath, with a layer protection to prevent overheating. The ideal temperature is around 85-90°F.
– Get the chick indoors as soon as possible. Baby hummingbirds do not survive long outside due to their high metabolism. Even an hour can be too late.
– Check for any signs of injury such as broken bones or wounds. Nestlings often sustain fall injuries that require treatment.
– Call a local wildlife rehabilitation center promptly to arrange specialized care. If none are available, be prepared to rehabilitate the baby yourself.
The key priorities are keeping the baby hummingbird warm, contained, and transported to safety as quickly as possible. This gives it its best chance of being successfully rehabilitated. Avoid trying to feed it outside of a controlled environment. Now it’s time to focus your efforts on caring for it.
How to feed abandoned baby hummingbirds
Feeding is the most vital and challenging part of rehabilitating abandoned hummingbirds. Here is a summary of their key dietary needs:
– **Frequency:** They require feeding every 20-30 minutes from sunrise to sunset. No more than a 2 hour gap overnight.
– **Diet:** A specialized nectar formula is needed to provide the nutrition they require. An emergency substitute can be made by mixing 1 part white sugar with 4 parts water. Do not use honey, artificial sweeteners or food coloring.
– **Method:** Use a small dropper or syringe to slowly release drops along the edge of the beak so the tongue can lap it up. Never inject the fluid down the throat.
– **Amount:** Only a few drops per feeding are required, given their tiny stomach capacity. Stop immediately if fluid bubbles out their nose indicating overfeeding.
– **Temperature:** The nectar should be room temperature. Do not feed chilled formula.
Here are some additional feeding tips:
– Gently flex the chick’s neck with each drop to encourage swallowing.
– Feed smaller amounts more frequently for weaker chicks.
– Check the crop under the neck for fullness. It should be swollen after eating but not hard.
– Stop feeding immediately if the crop appears stretched or fluid bubbles from the beak.
– Change out unused nectar and wash feeding equipment thoroughly between uses. Bacteria can spread quickly.
With diligence and care, an abandoned hummingbird chick can thrive on the specialized diet you provide until it is ready for release. Work closely with wildlife rehabilitators for guidance.
How to house an abandoned baby hummingbird
In addition to food, an ideal housing environment is crucial for the baby hummingbird’s recovery. Here are the main factors to accommodate:
– **Containment:** Use a small box, cage or ventilated enclosure. The space should be only a few inches wider than the spread of the chick’s wings to prevent injury. Provide soft cloth for footing.
– **Warmth:** Maintain a temperature between 85-90°F. Use a heating pad, heat lamp or other regulated heat source. Monitor temperature carefully.
– **Lighting:** Provide full spectrum lighting on a cycle of 14 hours on, 10 hours off to mimic natural daylight. Turn lights off slowly.
– **Quiet:** Keep the chick in a quiet space free of loud noises, pets, music and children. Loud environments will stress them.
– **Hydration:** Lightly mist the chick with room temperature water a few times a day for hydration until it can self-feed. Avoid soaking its feathers.
– **Cleaning:** Replace soiled cloths, wash enclosure, and remove feces daily to prevent bacterial growth. Use fragrance-free soap.
A controlled housing environment removes environmental stress and supports healing. Adapt any safe enclosure to meet these standards for caring for an orphaned hummingbird. With attentive care, it will gain strength day by day.
Determining when a baby hummingbird is ready for release
The goal of rehabilitation is to successfully return the hummingbird to the wild once it has recovered. Here are the signs that indicate a baby is ready for release:
– Full adult plumage has emerged
– Able to self-feed from a feeder
– Weight has stabilized over 3 consecutive days
– Flying continuously within enclosure
– Waterproof feathers hold close to the body when misted
– No visible injuries or abnormalities
– Weather conditions are favorable (warm, minimal wind and rain)
Ideally, the baby should be at least 4-6 weeks old before attempting release. Releasing too early greatly reduces chances of survival. It is also vital to slowly transition the hummingbird to natural food sources like flower nectar to rebuild stamina. Work closely with wildlife rehabilitators before deciding the baby is truly ready. If in doubt, wait a few extra days to be certain. The patience will pay off in giving it the best shot at surviving on its own.
How to release a rehabilitated baby hummingbird
When the big day comes, follow these steps to successfully release the hummingbird you’ve cared for:
– Select an environment with ample flowers and feeders at dawn/dusk when other hummingbirds are active. Backyards and parks are ideal.
– Choose a mild weather day without extremes of heat, cold, wind or rain.
– Gently remove the hummingbird from its enclosure without direct handling. Use gloves/cloth or allow it to fly out on its own.
– Place the hummingbird on a nectar feeder or in a small tree near flowers so it has immediate food access. Do not just release into the open.
– Sit quietly at a distance and observe for at least 30 minutes after release to be sure it is able to feed on its own.
– Check periodically on the hummingbird in the coming days to ensure it is fully acclimated. Capture and rehabilitate again if problems emerge.
– Once stable, gradually remove any supplemental feeders from the area so the hummingbird can adapt to self-sourcing natural nectar.
With preparation and care, your beloved hummingbird has an excellent chance of rejoining its wild counterparts and living a full free life thanks to your intervention and support during its time of need. Enjoy observing your former baby thrive in nature. It’s a beautiful and rewarding moment!
Conclusion
Caring for an abandoned baby hummingbird is deeply meaningful but also a major commitment. The constant feeding schedule and fragile nature of hummingbirds leaves little margin for error. But the payoff of releasing a successfully rehabilitated chick makes the intensive effort worthwhile. Follow these best practices for rescue, feeding, housing and release. Reach out to wildlife resources. And above all, handle the chick with patient and gentle care. With dedication and compassion, you can make all the difference in returning an orphaned hummingbird to the wild where it belongs. The life you save will provide joy to the world for years to come.
