Personal Hummingbird Stories

Chloe's Notes:   I received the following story as an email and thought it was perfect example of how to care for a fallen baby. Many times we think the baby is desrted but mother birds are aware of what is going on and will try to feed and care for her young as long as she is able. The best thing to do is put baby is a safe place if possible. Mom knows what the little bird needs to eat and it is almost impossible to feed and care for a young bird. If, saddly, the baby doesn't make it, this still gives it the best chance. We all know the trials of nature can be harsh and can only help as best we can. Good Morning! This is about one little Hummer which is trying to be a real survivor. I've always been fascinated with Hummers but never closely watched them. This year one choose to build her tiny nest on a small tree limb hanging over our door way. She laid two eggs which she watched and cared for. Entering our front door one evening there lay a baby on the ground. We quickly got a ladder and placed it back in the nest. No more than a second later it comes flying back down but not on its own accord. Looking into the nest we saw the other baby was so-o-o big there just was no room for this little one. At first I couldn't think of what to do so I placed it in a make shift nest and took it into the house to keep safe. I did feed it a water, sugar solution during the evening. The next day we decided to take the nest we made, for this little one, and place it up next to the other nest in hopes the mom would notice she still has two to tend for. To our heart felt relief she started feeding it. A few days went by and all of a sudden I heard a noise and my dog got my attention and brought me the front door. Well, there was that little bird down on the ground again. I got the ladder out and started to place it back into its make shift nest. To my surprise there was the biggest, hairiest spider I've seen. While carefully trying to protect the baby I got rid of the ugly spider and placed the baby back into its nest. The rest of the week went by and the other, bigger baby now has flown from its nest and up to the top of another tree. I watched carefully for I was afraid the mom would forget about the other. But she's a good mom and kept track of both. The bigger one has flown but the little one is still very little. Last night coming in I saw something fly quickly and then didn't see it any more. I noticed the tiny one was out of its nest. Then I stood real still to see what the mom would do. I noticed she was frantic looking all over for the baby. Between the two of us we found it. Its wings just aren't mature enough to fly but it sure tries. I placed it back in the nest but it flew out and down again. So I decided it figured it was ready to be out of the nest. I placed it on a limb of the little tree and watched it most of the evening. The mom kept coming back about every 25 minutes or so for feeding. It just sits there spreading, cleaning and grooming its little wings. This morning we placed a log and sign "wet paint do not enter" sign infront of our walk area to the front door so that no one leaving flyers and such would disturb the baby. I'm really hoping it stays where it is at for a few more days. I just can't see where its wings are mature enough for full flight. Anyway, that is my story so far of this little one. It definitely is trying to be a survivor. A Hooked Hummer Lover - Roberta, Rancho Santa Margarita, California UPDATE Hi Chloe Thank you so much for placing my story out on your web. It makes me feel good that hopefully it may help others. I thought I would let you know that it all ended happily. The little one flies now and keeps up with the best of them. It still is a lot smaller than normal but it holds it own. I'm enclosing some of my pictures I took for you to see.Take care. Roberta - RSM

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