How to Hold a Hummingbird in Your Hand

The other day my husband called me from his woodworking shop and requested my help. He had opened the side door and a hummingbird had entered the shop. Although all the doors were opened, the bird refused to leave the sky-lites in the roof. We set up the ladder, found the softest pair of gloves we had and I begun to ascend the ladder. Having seen the wars raging at the feeders before, I did not know what to expect. The bird, hanging upside down, watched me climb the ladder and reach out to retrieve her (it was a female) from her awkward position. Being as gentle and as careful as possible in my approach and touch, she offered no resistance. Her tiny feet clutched a finger of my glove and I could feel her heart racing. I paused only a few seconds to look her over in sheer wonder at her tiny perfection. Descending the ladder, exiting the shop and on a lower limb of a nearby dogwood tree, I deposited the glove and the bird. She had a grip on the glove and her eyes were closed. I said a prayer for her wellbeing and left her there. Thirty minutes later we checked and she was gone!

The feeders

The hummingbirds we have here are Ruby-Throated hummingbirds. They arrive in late March or early April and are HUNGRY! When I remember, the feeders go out in mid-March. When I forget, there is a faithful reminder. A Ruby-Throated male hummer arrives and probably checks every food source available. When the feeders are not out he will "hang" in front of the bay window as if screaming "WHERE IS IT! It's supposed to be out here!" He will leave and return to the window until the feeders are put out. During the season when the feeders get empty, or sour from the heat, the same thing happens. One or two of the birds will visit the bay window until the problem is corrected. After the correction they do not come again.

Some facts

The reference book I have describes the hummingbird as "fearless and pugnacious". In other words, they are mean and just looking for a fight! There have been as many as 6 to 8 fighting over one feeder. (We have three feeders out) These feeders are out in the yard a distance from the house. During the heated aerial battles, the birds often excrete waste and if you are close it is likely you will be "bombed" several times. We watch from a distance.

I saw a picture of a hummingbird nest in a magazine. The nest was on top of the limb, had 2 tiny white eggs in it and the entire nest was the size of a quarter placed beside it. That is just amazing to me!

They will be leaving

It is early October and the nights will be getting cooler. Soon the hummers will leave for their journey to their winter homes. Once there have been no visitors at the feeders for a period of time, the feeders will be taken down, washed and put away for the winter. There is no hurry to do this since there might be some hummingbirds traveling through on their migration trip that need food and rest. I am not one to travel much, however, I would like to see these hummers "in mass" at their final destination in Mexico or Central America. I can only imagine.....

The hummingbirds are always a welcome guest here. This fall and winter will allow me to search for new plants and bushes to add to the property for their food source and our enjoyment!