Quick Answers
There are a few potential reasons why a hummingbird may be sitting still on the ground:
- It is sick, injured, or weak
- It is stunned from flying into a window
- It is cold or wet and needs to conserve energy
- It is a fledgling learning to fly
If the hummingbird appears injured, ill, or unable to fly, it needs immediate care from a wildlife rehabilitator. A healthy hummingbird should not remain on the ground for long.
Assessing the Situation
When you find a hummingbird sitting on the ground, consider these factors to help determine why:
| Factor | Healthy Bird | Sick/Injured Bird |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Bright, alert, feathers smooth | Dull, ruffled feathers, lethargic |
| Breathing | Steady, regular | Rapid, labored, or gaping |
| Eyes | Clear, no discharge | Discharge, swelling, tightly closed |
| Feet/legs | No visible injury | Swelling, bleeding, dangling |
| Wings | Properly folded | Drooping, dragging, bent oddly |
Take note of the bird’s condition and behavior before intervening. A healthy hummingbird may just need a little time before it takes off again.
Common Reasons a Healthy Hummingbird Might Be Grounded
Resting
Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolisms and must constantly feed to fuel their energy needs. They can become exhausted after extended periods of flight or competition at feeders. A healthy bird may sit still on the ground briefly to recover its strength before flying off again.
Weather
Cold temperatures, rain, and strong winds all make flying more difficult for hummingbirds. Sitting on the ground conserves their energy in poor conditions when flying would be laborious and risky. The shelter of a tree or shrub can provide temporary cover.
Territorialism
Hummingbird males are highly territorial and will aggressively chase other males from feeders or nesting areas. These fast-moving aerial fights can lead to mid-air collisions or crash landings if a bird loses control. An uninjured hummingbird driven down for territorial reasons will usually regain its composure and resume flight.
Predator Avoidance
To avoid predators like hawks, cats, and praying mantises, hummingbirds will momentarily land on the ground and remain very still until the threat passes. This instinctive reaction helps them go undetected. They will take off rapidly as soon as the danger is gone.
When Ground Sitting Indicates Illness or Injury
A hummingbird remaining stubbornly on the ground for over an hour despite no inclement weather or other obvious explanation may be cause for concern. Here are some signs of an ailing or injured bird in need of rehabilitation:
Loss of Appetite
Hummingbirds cannot survive without frequent feeding. A grounded bird refusing nectar for more than an hour may be too weak or sick to fly to feeders. Lack of appetite is a dire sign.
Disheveled Appearance
Ruffled, molting, or broken feathers and a fluffed-up posture signal distress. Labored breathing and dull, sunken eyes are also problematic. The bird may be going into shock.
Inability to Perch
Healthy hummingbirds can readily grip branches and perch. A bird too weak to balance or struggling to cling to a perch needs urgent care.
Visible Injury or Paralysis
Leg or wing damage from collisions makes flight impossible. The bird may droop its head and neck if it suffered spinal cord trauma. Even tiny fractures or sprains render hummingbirds unable to fly.
Unnatural Posture
Tilting, twitching, or dragging wings are signs of injury. The bird may splay legs awkwardly if fractured or dislocated. Contorted positioning signals trauma.
No Reaction to Threats
Healthy hummingbirds startle and swiftly flee if approached. An indifferent, torpid response to threats or handling indicates debilitating injury or illness.
What to Do if You Find a Grounded Hummingbird
Assess Vital Signs
Gauge the bird’s responsiveness, breathing, heart rate, and body condition without excessively handling it. Weakness, labored breathing, and lethargy all indicate a compromised state.
Provide Shelter and Warmth
Place the bird in a ventilated box lined with soft cloth. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent overheating. Use a covered heating pad or microwavable disk under half the enclosure to supply warmth.
Offer Diluted Nectar
Provide 10% sugar water in a dropper, shallow cap, or hummingbird feeder held low. The quick energy boost may revive an exhausted bird. Do not force-feed an unwilling bird.
Limit Stress
Keep disturbance, noise, pets, and children at a minimum. Drape a light cloth over the enclosure to provide quiet and security. Handle only when absolutely necessary.
Contact a Rehabilitator
Call a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center promptly for instructions. They can assess whether the bird needs specialized veterinary intervention. Time is critical for a successful outcome.
Avoid DIY Homecare
Leave treatment to the experts. Improper feeding, caging, or handling can do more harm than good. Sedation or splinting by amateurs can be fatal. Focus on safely transporting the hummingbird.
Common Hazards for Grounded Hummingbirds
Domestic Pets
Cats and dogs may investigate, attack, or carry away a vulnerable hummingbird. Keep pets indoors and monitor outside animals until you can transfer the bird.
Wild Predators
Raccoons, crows, rats, and snakes may seize any easy meal. Do not leave a hummingbird unprotected outside. Stay nearby until rescuers take over.
Vehicles and Foot Traffic
The hummingbird is at risk of being crushed as it rests in the open. Mark its location and reroute traffic away from the area if you must leave briefly.
Insect Swarms
Ants and flies can rapidly overwhelm a grounded bird. Use a temporary enclosure with insect netting to provide a safe haven while awaiting pickup.
Overhandling
Excessive disturbance stresses the hummingbird and can aggravate minor injuries. Limit contact to brief periods for feeding, warming, and transport needs.
FAQs
How long can a hummingbird survive on the ground?
– A healthy hummingbird may spend up to a few hours grounded while resting or sheltering. An ill or injured bird’s survival time is limited from a few hours to a day without rehabilitation.
Where should I place a rescued hummingbird?
– Keep it in a warm, quiet, semi-darkened area away from household pets, direct sunlight, drafts, and noise. Avoid areas with heavy foot traffic.
What should I feed a hummingbird in distress?
– An emergency nectar of 10% sugar (1 part white sugar to 9 parts water) administered with a dropper or syringe provides quick energy. Only give a few drops at a time.
Can a baby hummingbird survive on the ground?
– No. Fledglings making their first flights need parental care. If a juvenile lands on the ground, the mother is likely still tending it. Leave the scene and monitor carefully from a distance.
How can I tell if a hummingbird is a fledgling or adult?
– Fledglings have stubby tail feathers, no red throat coloring, and fuzzy down still clinging to their plumage. Adults have long tails with white tips and bright, iridescent throats.
Conclusion
Finding a hummingbird grounded and unmoving can be alarming but does not necessarily mean the bird is in peril. Take time to assess the situation carefully before intervening. Healthy birds periodically rest on the ground and will resume flying on their own. Injured and juvenile hummingbirds often require rehabilitation, however. Seek expert help promptly by contacting a wildlife rescue organization whenever a hummingbird seems unable to take flight or exhibits signs of distress. With appropriate care, many grounded hummingbirds can make a full recovery and be successfully returned to the wild.
