If a hummingbird won’t fly away when you approach it, there could be several possible reasons why. Hummingbirds are naturally quite timid, so a hummingbird that allows you to get very close likely has something wrong with it. While you may feel tempted to help the little bird, it’s important to be very cautious, as a hummingbird can still bite and injure you with its long, sharp beak. In this article, we’ll explore some of the main reasons why a hummingbird might not fly away and the steps you should take if you encounter one.
Reasons a Hummingbird Won’t Fly Away
Here are some of the most common explanations for why a hummingbird isn’t scared off when approached:
- Exhaustion – Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and can become exhausted from malnutrition, migration, competition at feeders, or other stresses.
- Injury – Injuries to the wing or body from a collision or predator attack may prevent the bird from being able to fly.
- Illness – Diseases and infections can leave a hummingbird too weak or disoriented to react normally.
- Nesting – A mother hummingbird protecting her eggs or young may hold her ground near the nest.
- Tame Behavior – On very rare occasions, an individual hummingbird may become accustomed or even attracted to people.
- Young Age – Very young fledglings may not react fearfully around humans as they have not learned defensive behavior.
Let’s explore these issues in more detail:
Exhaustion
Hummingbirds have incredibly high metabolisms and must constantly feed to supply energy for flying, maintaining body temperature, and all other activities. To power their busy lives, they eat up to double their body weight in nectar each day! If a hummingbird cannot get enough food, it can quickly become exhausted.
Some situations that can overwhelm a hummingbird’s energy reserves include:
- Not enough flower nectar available due to seasonal changes or habitat loss
- Competition at feeders with too many hummingbirds and not enough feeding ports
- Cold nights or periods of bad weather requiring extra energy to keep warm
- Migration over long distances without adequate food supplies along the way
- Injury or illness requiring more calories for recovery
A hummingbird that is exhausted will perch more frequently and be less alert and reactive to humans approaching it. These are signs that the bird urgently needs a high calorie food source.
Injury
Hummingbirds are surprisingly tough given their small size, but they can suffer injuries just like any other bird. Collisions with windows, buildings, vehicles, or tree branches can result in an injured wing that makes the bird unable to fly. Predators like cats may also sometimes partially injure a hummingbird without killing it outright.
With an injured wing or other trauma, the hummingbird will be unable to get away from a human approaching it. The bird may flutter across the ground or make little short hops, but it won’t be able to fly up and away. This immobilization leaves it vulnerable, so an injury is certainly cause for concern.
Illness
There are a few infectious diseases that can affect hummingbirds. These include:
- Aspergillosis – A fungal respiratory infection
- Avian pox – A viral skin disease
- West Nile Virus – A mosquito-born virus that attacks the nervous system
- Salmonella – Bacterial food poisoning
All of these conditions can severely weaken a hummingbird and create confusion or disorientation that prevents normal defensive reactions to potential threats. The sick bird likely won’t have the energy or awareness to react to a human.
Nesting
Hummingbirds are fiercely protective mothers. When a female hummingbird has laid eggs in a nest, she will defend that nest — even against animals much larger than herself.
Mother hummingbirds may dive bomb or try to distract animals and people that get too close to the nest. While her first instinct is not to abandon the nest, she will be compelled to fly away if she senses true danger.
So a nesting mother staying nearby and not fleeing is a sign that you are too close to her babies. She will hold her ground to try drawing attention away from the nest location.
Tame Behavior
While extremely uncommon, individual hummingbirds have been known to become tame toward and even attracted to humans who feed them regularly.
Once accustomed to a reliable food source, the hummingbird may be more focused on accessing that food than reacting fearfully around people. They can begin to associate human presence with getting fed rather than with danger. These very rare cases occur with hand-fed individuals over long time periods.
A tame hummingbird allows people to approach closely and may even fly toward or land on a person. This behavior is not normal for wild hummingbirds and shows they have learned to trust specific people.
Young Age
Young hummingbirds that have recently left the nest are very vulnerable as they learn to adapt to the outdoors. At this stage, they have limited flight skills and no experience with predators. Everything is new to them, so they may not yet react defensively to humans.
Fledglings will beg loudly for food, often not far from their nest. They can be identified by the short tails and fuzzy down feathers they still retain from the nest. Their flight is weak and fluttering.
These young hummingbirds are focused on being fed as they practice flying and survival skills. They have not learned defensive behaviors like fleeing from large animals and humans. Their best strategy is to draw attention so parents can feed them.
Steps to Help a Hummingbird in Need
If you come across a hummingbird that won’t fly away, here are some steps to help while keeping both you and the bird safe:
- Avoid sudden movements or loud noises so you don’t startle the bird.
- Clear away other animals like cats or dogs that could harm the bird.
- See if any obvious injury is present, but do not handle the bird.
- Offer sugar water in a shallow dish or feeder and monitor if the hummingbird drinks.
- Gently cover with a box or ventilated container to move away from danger.
- Keep the bird in a warm, dark, and quiet location for a period of rest.
- Contact a local wildlife rehabilitation center to arrange care.
- Disinfect any feeders and wash hands thoroughly after contact.
Let’s go over these steps in more detail:
Avoid Sudden Movements or Loud Noises
Even a weak or non-reactive hummingbird will be further stressed by loud sounds or being startled. Make your presence known gradually and move smoothly without unleashing a threat response. This helps prevent further stress or injury to the bird.
Clear Away Other Animals
Cats, dogs, and other natural predators may take interest in an immobilized hummingbird. Safely remove these animals from the immediate area so they don’t endanger the bird. Predators’ hunting instincts can kick in when they notice a vulnerable prey animal.
Check for Obvious Injuries
Before handling the hummingbird, you can look for any visible wounds, blood, or unnatural alignment of wings or legs that might indicate an injury. Don’t manipulate the bird’s body. If no obvious trauma is immediately apparent, it’s safer not to attempt any examination. Leave that to wildlife experts.
Offer Sugar Water
An exhausted hummingbird may eagerly drink sugar water. Prepare a 10-20% white sugar solution in water and provide it in a low dish that the bird can easily access or via a feeder. This nectar equivalent provides vital calories to boost the hummingbird’s strength and energy. Monitor to see if the bird drinks voluntarily.
Gently Contain in Covered Box or Container
Once you’ve allowed a chance for sugar water consumption, the next step is to safely contain the hummingbird so it can be transported. Gently encourage or guide the bird into a small box, paper bag, or ventilated plastic container. Avoid handling the bird. Then cover the container and limit noise and activity around it.
Container | How to Use |
---|---|
Shoebox | Hummingbird can perch on crumpled tissue inside. Cover with lid. |
Paper bag | Fold top of bag over without closing completely. Keep partially open for ventilation. |
Plastic container | Poke small air holes. Place crumpled tissue for perching surface. Cover with lid. |
Allow Time in Warm, Dark, Quiet Space
Keep the contained hummingbird in a sheltered spot out of direct sun or cold. A garage, shed, or closet works well. The darkened, quiet environment reduces stress. Checking periodically, allow the bird to rest for 10-30 minutes before transporting.
Contact Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Arrange to transfer the hummingbird to a local wildlife rehabilitation facility equipped to properly assess and treat wild animal medical issues. Licensed rehabilitators have the specialized training and resources to give the bird appropriate care.
Disinfect and Wash Hands
After handling any wild animal, be sure to wash hands and disinfect any surfaces or objects the hummingbird contacted. This prevents potential spread of diseases between humans and wildlife.
Proper care and caution are needed when intervening with a distressed hummingbird. With these steps, you can safely come to the aid of a hummingbird in need while minimizing further risk or harm to both the bird and yourself. Don’t hesitate to seek expert assistance at wildlife rehabilitation centers when required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t a hummingbird fly away when I get close?
A hummingbird that allows close approach typically has something wrong that prevents normal defensive flight. Possible reasons include exhaustion, injury, illness, nesting protective behavior, unusual tameness toward humans, or young age before reacting fearfully is learned.
Can I tell if a hummingbird is sick or hurt by watching it?
Signs a hummingbird may be ill or injured include:
- Sitting fluffed up for prolonged periods
- Moving or reacting slowly and weakly
- Unable to fly or flying in an uncoordinated manner
- Breathing heavily or tail bobbing more than usual
- Feathers in poor condition
- Loss of balance or trouble perching
What should I do if I find an injured hummingbird?
Steps for an injured hummingbird:
- Avoid sudden movements/loud noises.
- Clear away other animals.
- Check for obvious injuries from a distance.
- Offer sugar water for quick energy.
- Gently contain in covered box/container.
- Allow to rest in dark, quiet space.
- Contact wildlife rehabilitation experts.
- Disinfect surfaces and wash hands thoroughly.
How do I catch a hummingbird safely?
It’s best not to grasp or restrain hummingbirds with your bare hands. Instead, gently guide or herd the bird into a small box, paper bag, or ventilated plastic container. Cover the container to contain the bird for safe transport.
Can I keep a baby hummingbird I find outside?
No, baby hummingbirds require specialized care and feeding. Their best chance of survival is with wildlife rehabilitators who are trained and permitted to nurture orphaned babies. Never attempt to raise a baby hummingbird yourself.
Conclusion
Hummingbirds are captivating creatures, but require caution when interacting closely. While tempting to assist a hummingbird in distress, they can still deliver painful bites with their needle-like beaks. Maneuvering around a hummingbird requires slow movements and quiet behavior to prevent additional stress or injury if the bird is unable to react normally. Providing sugar water can offer a quick energy boost. Containing the bird in a covered box reduces risk of predation before transporting it to a wildlife rehabilitation expert, which is the safest option for both the hummingbird and yourself. With caring action and restraint against direct handling, you can potentially save an injured or ill hummingbird’s life while keeping risks minimized. The tiny bird’s remarkable resilience lets it bounce back quickly with appropriate expert care and rehabilitation.