What To Do If A Hummingbird’s Tongue Gets Stuck
Hummingbirds are beautiful, delicate creatures that bring joy to backyard bird watchers. However, they are also surprisingly resilient despite their small size. Even so, hummingbirds can occasionally find themselves in tricky situations that require human intervention. One such scenario is when a hummingbird’s tongue gets stuck to a frozen feeder. While this may sound dire, there are several effective steps you can take to free the bird’s tongue and allow it to feed again.
Assess The Situation
If you notice a hummingbird at your feeder with its tongue stuck, the first step is to assess the situation. Move slowly and calmly so as not to startle the bird. Check to see if the tongue is just lightly adhered to the frozen feeder or if it is actually firmly stuck. A lighter adhesion may allow the bird to pull away on its own. If the tongue appears to be truly stuck, you will need to take action.
Prepare A Small Container Of Lukewarm Water
Hummingbirds can easily become dehydrated when their tongues are stuck, so having a small container of lukewarm water ready is essential. Fill a shallow cap or lid with an ounce or two of water heated to roughly 100-110°F. The key is to make it warm but not hot enough to injure the bird’s tongue. Have the container ready near the feeder so you can quickly offer the bird water once freed. The quick drink will help replenish the hummingbird’s fluids.
Gently Warm The Area Around The Tongue
With the bird still in place at the feeder, begin gently warming up the area around its stuck tongue. You want to slightly melt the ice without applying excess heat directly on the tongue. Aim a high-powered flashlight at the adhesion point, or use your hands to softly breathe warm air onto the feeder surface. Applying slight warmth for 30-90 seconds should loosen the tongue enough for the hummingbird to pull it away on its own. Be extremely careful, as excessive or direct heat can burn the delicate tongue.
Do Not Pull On The Tongue
It may be tempting to try freeing the tongue by gently pulling on it with your fingers, but this should never be attempted. A hummingbird’s tongue contains fragile capillaries that can tear if the tongue is pulled on. Even a light tug could do serious damage. The tongue may also be more firmly adhered than it appears. Allow the bird to work itself free once you’ve warmed the area.
Offer The Water Container
Once the tongue becomes unstuck, quickly offer the shallow cap or lid filled with lukewarm water you prepared earlier. Gently move it close to the feeder so the hummingbird can access it easily. Hummingbirds rarely refuse an opportunity to replenish themselves with nectar or water. If the water is the proper temperature, the bird should eagerly dip its tongue into the fluid. This will provide much-needed hydration and allow the bird to recover more quickly.
Do Not Attempt To Capture The Hummingbird
When attempting to free a hummingbird’s tongue, do not try to capture or handle the bird. Hummingbirds are easily stressed when restrained or held. Their extremely high metabolism also causes them to rapidly weaken when their movement is restricted for even short time periods. Leave the bird on the feeder while applying warming techniques to the stuck area. The goal is to allow the hummingbird to free itself with some gentle assistance from you.
Allow Time To Recover Before Flying
Flying requires a huge amount of energy from a hummingbird. If the bird just freed its tongue, it may need to rebuild its strength before taking off again. Depending on the situation, the bird may remain on the feeder for 15 minutes or longer after becoming unstuck. Provide ample time for the hummingbird to drink and feed before expecting it to fly away. Offer a sweet nectar solution in another nearby feeder to help it replenish its energy after this ordeal.
Check For Signs Of Injury
Once the tongue is no longer adhered, check the area for any signs of damage or injury. Small amounts of bleeding may indicate a tear to the delicate capillaries. If the tongue appears to be torn or injured, contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center immediately. Be prepared to safely capture the bird if its condition appears to warrant medical treatment. Otherwise, if the tongue seems to be unharmed, the bird should recover well on its own.
Remove Any Remaining Frozen Liquid
After freeing the hummingbird, inspect the feeder to make sure no frozen nectar remains that could trap the tongue again. Gently shake or tip the feeder to remove any remaining ice. Consider bringing the feeder indoors to thaw completely before refilling and returning it outside, so the liquid contents do not freeze again as quickly. Preventing another sticking incident will make it safer for hummingbirds to feed.
Tips To Prevent Frozen Feeder Tongue Sticking
While helping a hummingbird once its tongue gets stuck in a frozen feeder is crucial, prevention is equally important. Here are tips bird lovers can follow to reduce the chances of this dangerous situation:
Use Plastic Rather Than Glass Feeders
Plastic feeders retain less cold than glass options, making them less prone to freezing. The insulation properties of plastic help keep the nectar warmer longer. Select thick, durable plastic feeders designed specifically to minimize freezing.
Place Feeders Out Of Direct Wind and Weather
Position hummingbird feeders in covered areas protected from rain, snow, and wind. Exposure to the elements causes freezing to occur faster. Placing feeders on porches or under eaves keeps contents warmer. Rotate multiple feeders to offer warmer backup options.
Bring Feeders Indoors At Night
Only leave feeders outdoors during daylight hours when hummingbirds are active. Feeders don’t need to be out overnight and will freeze more rapidly in the cold darkness. Bring feeders in at night and refill with fresh nectar in the morning.
Use A Nectar Solution With Sugar To Lower Freezing Point
Sugar lowers the freezing point of nectar solutions. Make your nectar with the minimum 4 parts water to 1 part white, refined sugar. This concentration is safest for hummingbirds and resists freezing better than weaker mixes. Never use honey, which can harbor dangerous pathogens.
Add Red Food Coloring To Darken Nectar
Dark-colored liquids absorb more solar radiation, gaining heat from the sun’s rays. Add a small amount of red food coloring to your nectar when filling feeders to help keep the liquid warmer. Opt for a concentrated natural coloring made especially for nectar.
Select A Shallower Feeder Depth
Nectar in shallow feeders doesn’t take as long to warm up in sunlight compared to deep containers. Choose feeding stations no more than 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches deep for faster warming. This also lets hummingbirds reach contents easily.
Actions To Avoid When Helping A Stuck Hummingbird
When attempting to assist a hummingbird with its tongue adhered to a frozen feeder, there are a few actions that should never be attempted:
Do Not Pull Or Tug On The Tongue
| Do Not Do This | Why |
|---|---|
| Pull or tug on the tongue | Can tear the thin capillaries and tissue |
As stated earlier, never try to pull the tongue off the feeder yourself by tugging on it. This risks tearing or damaging the extremely delicate capillaries running through the tongue.
Avoid Prying At The Tongue
| Do Not Do This | Why |
|---|---|
| Pry at the tongue with fingers or tools | Causes injury and distress |
Do not attempt to wedge or pry at the stuck tongue using fingers, tweezers, or any type of tool. This is also very likely to harm the tongue tissue or sensitive nerves.
Do Not Heat The Tongue Directly
| Do Not Do This | Why |
|---|---|
| Apply heat or warmth directly to the tongue | Risks burning and damaging the tongue |
Avoid aiming a heat source like a hair dryer or heat gun directly at the adhered tongue. Direct heat can easily burn the delicate tissues before the tongue becomes unstuck, as well as distress the hummingbird.
Do Not Let The Tongue Remain Stuck For Extended Time
| Do Not Do This | Why |
|---|---|
| Leave the tongue stuck for a long time | Leads to dehydration and exhaustion |
Do not delay action if you discover a hummingbird’s tongue stuck in a frozen feeder. The longer the tongue remains immobilized, the more dangerously dehydrated the bird may become as it is unable to feed. Act promptly to free the tongue safely and give the hummingbird its best chance of recovery.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds require specialized care, so a stuck tongue can become life-threatening without proper, timely assistance. However, you can safely free a hummingbird’s tongue from a frozen feeder using gentle warming techniques and provide proper aftercare. Avoid pulling on the tongue, which can cause devastating damage. With smart prevention and quick response when needed, bird lovers can protect hummingbirds from a stuck tongue situation turning dangerous. The amazing hummingbird will reward your efforts to help with years of joyful visits.
