Quick answers
If you find a baby hummingbird that has fallen out of its nest, here are some quick things to keep in mind:
- Handle the bird as little as possible to avoid stressing it.
- Keep the bird warm by creating a makeshift nest.
- Don’t try to feed it – let wildlife rehabilitators do that.
- Get the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.
- Only attempt to put a bird back in the nest if you’re certain you’ve found the right one.
What to do step-by-step if you find a fallen baby hummingbird
Here are more detailed steps on how to help a baby hummingbird that has fallen from its nest:
1. Handle the bird as little as possible
Baby hummingbirds are extremely fragile. Limit your handling of the bird to avoid causing it additional stress or injury. Use gloves or a towel to gently pick up the bird if needed.
2. Keep the bird warm
Baby hummingbirds can’t regulate their own body temperature yet. Keep the bird warm by making a temporary nest:
- Line a small box or container with tissues or paper towels
- Place the bird on top of the lining
- Cover the bird with another tissue or paper towel
Don’t place the bird directly on a hot water bottle or other heat source – this could overheat the bird. The goal is to contain the bird’s natural body warmth.
3. Don’t try to feed it
The specialized diet hummingbirds require makes them very difficult to adequately feed as babies. Well-meaning attempts to feed sugar water via an eye dropper are unlikely to provide real nutrition. It’s better to get the bird to trained wildlife rehabilitators who can properly feed and care for it.
4. Get the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator
Contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center or humane society as soon as possible. They will have the expertise needed to care for the bird.
Transport the bird in its temporary nest, keeping it somewhere dark, quiet and out of reach of pets.
Many rehabilitation centers have an animal drop-off zone to quickly get the bird into expert care.
5. Only try to put the bird back in the nest if you’re certain
It can sometimes be possible to return a baby bird to its nest – but only if you’re 100% confident you’ve found the right location.
Look for a nest that exactly matches the original (size, materials, location etc.) Watch to see if adult hummingbirds return to feed other chicks.
If you have any doubt, it’s better to hand the bird to rehabilitators than risk putting it in the wrong nest.
Key facts on baby hummingbird development
Here are some key things to know about normal hummingbird nesting that provide context on helping fallen chicks:
- Hummingbird nests are tiny – usually around 2 inches wide and 1 inch high.
- They are built high up in trees, 10-20 feet off the ground.
- Nests are made of soft materials like feathers, moss, and spider webs.
- Female hummingbirds lay 2 pea-sized eggs that hatch in 2-3 weeks.
- Chicks leave the nest 3-4 weeks after hatching.
- Babies may fall out due to storms, predators, or crowding if there’s more than 1 chick.
Knowing facts like the normal nest location and materials will help you return a chick if possible. Understanding the short nesting timeline helps reinforce the urgency of getting help.
Risks to baby hummingbirds out of the nest
Baby hummingbirds face numerous threats when they end up on the ground without the protection of the nest. Risks include:
- Hypothermia – inability to stay warm leads to lethargy and death
- Dehydration – chicks need regular feeding
- Predators – cats, rodents, birds of prey
- Infection – lack of sanitary nest conditions
- Malnutrition – hand-feeding is extremely difficult
Proper rehabilitation from trained wildlife experts offers the best chance of overcoming these risks successfully. The sooner the bird can be placed in their care, the higher the chance of survival.
Signs of a healthy baby hummingbird
When examining a fallen chick, here are some good signs that indicate it may still be healthy overall:
- Alertness – eyes open, looks around
- Movement – able to move limbs/wings
- Warmth – body feels warm to the touch
- Uninjured – no visible wounds or swellings
- Intact – no bleeding or broken bones
- Breathing – chest moving in and out
If the bird is unresponsive, shivering, or visibly injured, get it to rehabilitation even faster. Still, even a seemingly healthy chick desperately needs expert care. Don’t delay!
How to find hummingbird nests
Locating hummingbird nests is one key to being able to return fallen chicks. Here are tips for finding them:
- Look high – 10-20 feet off the ground on tree branches
- Watch for females gathering soft nest materials like feathers and spider webs
- Follow females flying back and forth to potential sites
- Don’t get too close – spotted nests can sometimes be abandoned
- Don’t disturb nests once they have eggs/chicks
Once you spot a nest, carefully note the location and surrounding features to match if a chick falls out later. Never tamper with active nests.
How to support hummingbird conservation
Helping fallen baby hummingbirds is often reactive – broader actions can also support and protect hummingbird populations:
- Plant native flowers that provide food sources
- Avoid pesticides that can impact the insect food supply
- Install hummingbird feeders for supplemental food
- Participate in citizen science surveys like the Hummingbird Migration Project
- Support legislation that protects bird habitats
- Promote more backyard bird sanctuaries
Outreach to educate others on how to protect hummingbirds and provide nesting habitats can create even more widespread impact over time.
Conclusion
Discovering fallen baby hummingbirds can be alarming, but there are clear steps you can take to give the chick its best chance of survival:
- Minimize handling the fragile bird
- Keep the chick warm in a makeshift nest
- Avoid attempting to feed it yourself
- Get the bird to wildlife rehabilitators immediately
- Only re-nest if 100% certain of the location
Equally important is supporting hummingbirds in your community by providing safe habitats for these unique, delicate birds. With quick action and proper care from experts, grounded baby hummingbirds can often return to the skies where they belong.
