Finding a hummingbird on the ground can be alarming, but don’t worry! With some gentle care and patience, you can help get the little bird back in the air. Hummingbirds are resilient creatures, so there’s a good chance it can recover fully with a bit of assistance. Here’s a quick guide on what to do if you find a grounded hummingbird.
Assess the Situation
The first step is to quickly assess why the bird is on the ground. Young fledglings often end up grounded while learning to fly. In this case, it’s best to leave the bird alone for potential monitoring by parents. But adult hummingbirds on the ground could indicate an injury or exhaustion. Look for signs of:
- Injury – blood, broken wings/legs, heavy breathing
- Exhaustion – closed eyes, weak movements, lethargy
- External threats – cats, dogs, predators, weather
If the bird is in immediate danger, gently move it to a nearby bush or tree. This gets it off the ground and provides some protection while you figure out next steps.
Prepare a Container
You’ll need a small container to transport the hummingbird. Ideal options include a clean shoebox, paper bag, or small cage/carrier. Line it with a soft cloth, t-shirt, or paper towels. Avoid terrycloth as claws can get caught.
Make sure the container has proper ventilation by punching air holes in the sides and top. But leave one side closed to make the space dark and secure. You want the bird to stay calm during transport.
Use Care in Handling
When picking up a hummingbird, move slowly and gently. Cup both hands around the bird, trapping the wings against its body. Apply a soft but secure grip, taking care not to crush the tiny bird.
You can also use a towel to catch and contain the hummingbird. Cover it completely to keep it from flying away or harming itself during capture.
Handle the hummingbird minimally to reduce stress. And keep handling time short, under 30 seconds if possible.
Transport to Rehabilitator
The next urgent step is to get the hummingbird to a wildlife rehabilitator. These licensed specialists have the proper training, skills, and facilities to examine the bird, diagnose issues, and provide appropriate care.
Contact the rehabilitator in advance to ensure they can accept the hummingbird. Timeliness is critical, so get the bird to rehab within an hour if possible.
While in transit, avoid jostling the container and keep the environment calm and quiet. Play soft music or talk gently to help soothe the stressed bird. Keep transport time as short as feasible.
Temporary Care Options
If you cannot reach a rehabilitator:
- Set up a small care station indoors away from pets, children, and noise.
- Place the container on a heating pad on low setting to keep the bird warm.
- Provide a shallow dish of nectar solution (1 part sugar to 4 parts water). Change it 2-3 times a day.
- Mist the bird with room temperature water periodically for hydration.
- Release the bird once it can perch and fly steadily for extended periods.
Seek qualified assistance as soon as possible. Even experienced rescuers have limited ability to provide adequate long-term care.
Understanding Why Hummingbirds End Up Grounded
Hummingbirds evolved for non-stop flight. So finding one grounded is highly unusual and indicates an underlying problem that renders them unable to fly. Here are some of the most common reasons hummingbirds end up on the ground:
Exhaustion
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and need to consume nectar frequently to maintain energy levels. If adequate food sources become scarce, they can quickly become exhausted.
Migration is an especially taxing time when food needs escalate. Grounded migrants likely need rest and nourishment. Provide sugar water to help replenish calories.
Overnight Torpor
To conserve energy, hummingbirds enter a hibernation-like state called torpor at night. Their metabolisms slow down, heart rates drop, and body temperatures decrease.
If temperate weather descends rapidly at night, a torpid hummingbird may get trapped on a low perch, unable to generate enough energy to fly up. The grounded bird just needs time for its body to warm back up.
Nestlings
It’s common to find baby hummingbirds that have fallen or tumbled out of nests. These nestlings are not ready to survive on their own. If the mother does not return, the babies need quick transport to a rehabilitator.
Injury
Collisions with windows, vehicles, trees, or structures can inflict injuries that hinder a hummingbird’s ability to fly properly. Likewise, attacks from predators can damage wings or legs.
An injured hummingbird will need an exam and expert care from a wildlife rehabilitator. Never try to treat injuries yourself.
Illness
Though fairly hardy, hummingbirds can develop illnesses from viruses, infections, or parasites. Symptoms may include weak flying ability, lack of balance, lethargy, and labored breathing.
Only professional rehabbers have the knowledge to diagnose and properly treat ailing hummingbirds. Delivering sick birds to rehab gives them the best chance at recovery.
What to Avoid When Helping a Grounded Hummingbird
When coming across a hummingbird in distress, you’ll need to act promptly but also avoid certain well-intentioned actions that could cause further harm:
Don’t Offer Water
Hummingbirds sip nectar, not water. Offering plain water can lead to electrolyte imbalance. Instead, mix up some emergency nectar – 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. This provides critical energy.
Don’t Give Bread or Mealworms
Bread has no nutritional value for hummingbirds. Mealworms are insect larva that can be hard for them to digest. Stick to sugar-water for quick energy.
Don’t Handle Unnecessarily
Excess handling can distress the already stunned bird. Use gentle restraint only when capturing initially or moving into a transport container.
Don’t Try Home Rehabilitation
Caring for an injured or ill hummingbird requires specialized training and facilities. Always turn rescued birds over to licensed experts as soon as possible. This gives them the greatest chance of successful rehabilitation.
Don’t Use Oils or Salves
Never put any oil, lotion, or ointment on an injured hummingbird. This interferes with the bird’s unique feather structure and can inhibit their ability to fly.
Don’t Offer Raw Honey
Honey can contain bacteria harmful to hummingbirds. Use plain white sugar instead when mixing emergency nectar. Or purchase a pre-made, non-dyed nectar product from a pet store.
Key Takeaways on Helping Grounded Hummingbirds
When discovering a hummingbird in need of assistance:
- Remain calm – the more quiet and gentle, the less stressed the bird.
- Safely contain in a ventilated box or carrier lined with soft materials.
- Keep handling to an absolute minimum.
- Do not try to treat any injuries on your own.
- Provide a shallow dish of emergency nectar – 1 part sugar to 4 parts water.
- Get the bird to a wildlife rehabilitator as swiftly as possible.
- Avoid prolonged rehabilitation attempts since long-term survival is unlikely without professional care.
- Monitor fledglings on the ground – parents are likely still tending to them.
- Focus on quick transport to qualified wildlife experts for best outcome.
With some basic dos and don’ts, you can greatly improve the chances of a grounded hummingbird making a full recovery. The key is acting quickly but carefully to stabilize the bird until wildlife rehabilitators can provide appropriate medical treatment and supportive care. Don’t lose hope – even injured hummers can be tenacious and bounce back with proper assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a baby hummingbird survive without its mother?
No, baby hummingbirds (nestlings) cannot survive for long without their mothers. The parents provide vital nourishment, protection, and care. If you find a nestling on the ground, it needs immediate transport to a wildlife rehabilitator if the mother cannot be located quickly.
How long can a hummingbird survive without food?
Hummingbirds have very fast metabolisms and high energy needs. They can die within just a few hours without any food due to starvation and fatigue. This makes providing an emergency nectar solution critically important for grounded hummers.
Do hummingbirds sleep at night?
Yes, hummingbirds enter a hibernation-like state called torpor at night to conserve energy. Their heart rate and metabolism slows down as their body temperature drops. They perch on branches and essentially sleep through the night in this energy-saving mode.
Where is the best place to take an injured hummingbird?
Always bring injured, ill, or orphaned hummingbirds to licensed wildlife rehabilitators. These trained experts have the skills, facilities, and permits to provide appropriate medical treatment and supportive care. Locate rehabbers in your state through wildlife agencies or rehabilitation organization websites.
Can hummingbirds recover from injuries?
Yes, hummingbirds are remarkably resilient. Even serious injuries like broken wings or legs can fully heal under the proper care and rehabilitation by wildlife experts. Full recovery time ranges from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on injury severity. With excellent rehab care, many injured hummingbirds make a complete recovery and can be successfully released back to the wild.
Conclusion
Discovering a hummingbird in distress can be alarming but also presents an opportunity to help. With some basic dos and don’ts in mind, you can stabilize the bird until it receives professional care from trained rehabilitators. Handle the bird gently, transport quickly in a ventilated container, and avoid any home remedies. The future of the tiny hummingbird rests in the hands of the kind rescuer who comes across it in need. So stay calm, act fast, and let the experts provide medical treatment for the best outcome. With community care and compassion, we can give hummingbirds their best chance to make a full recovery.
| Step | Actions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Assess the situation and threats |
| 2 | Prepare transport container lined with soft cloth |
| 3 | Handle bird gently with cupped hands |
| 4 | Transfer to container, keep calm and quiet |
| 5 | Get bird to rehabilitator immediately |
| 6 | Provide emergency nectar solution if needed |
| 7 | Monitor but don’t interfere with fledglings |
| 8 | Never try home rehabilitation without training |
