Wash your hands very well, BEFORE and after touching any bird.

If you have found a hummingbird that it is noticeably injured, contact
a rescue organization promptly. If it's an injured adult or fledgling,
it may require immediate nutritional support - an emergency elixir.

If you're not sure if the bird is injured, please use the guidelines below
to help you determine its condition and the best course of action.

Hummingbirds may be temporarily housed in a ventilated box or paper bag.
If the bird is old enough to perch, supply an appropriately sized twig for it to
grasp. If it is a nestling, make a small nest from a paper towel:

Roll a paper towel diagonally and tie it in a knot. Fold over the loose
ends to form a ring. Place facial tissue over the top and create a depression.

DO NOT USE FABRIC as the bird's nails can become entangled.

Never place a hummingbird in a see-through glass container or aquarium.

EVALUATING A HUMMINGBIRD'S CONDITION

STEP ONE:

Is the bird cold?

If the bird is cold to the touch, or its feathers are fluffed up, it may require warmth. Please see our instructions on providing supplemental heat.

STEP TWO:

Determine the bird's age.

NESTLINGS are naked or partially feathered.

FLEDGLINGS are fully feathered with a few sprigs of down and a slightly smaller bill than an adult (see picture above). Having popped out of the ridiculously small confines of its elasticized nest, a fledgling will spend a few days on the ground while its mother continues to care for it. Day by day, its flight muscles develop and the young bird gains command of its wings. A fledgling will be wary on approach by a predator (a human), but not as panic stricken as an adult.

STEP THREE:

Course of action.

If it is a NESTLING

A warm, healthy nestling will be strong and active enough to peep and beg to be fed. If is old enough to have its eyes open, they should appear bright and the bird, alert. If this is the case, a healthy nestling may be returned to its nest. If the nest is tattered, an artificial nest may be constructed.

If it is a FLEDGLING

A warm, healthy fledgling will be alert - eyes open, and it may 'peep' from time to time. If the bird appears weak, closing its eyes from time to time, offer it a few drops of the hummingbird emergency elixir.

If you have found a healthy fledgling, it must be returned to where it was first observed to be reunited with its mother. It may be placed on the ground or in the open branches of a bush - a place where the mother can find it easily.

If it is an ADULT

An adult hummingbird that has normal mobility of its legs and wings yet is grounded - unable to fly, may simply need a boost of energy. Supply the bird with a few drops of the hummingbird emergency elixir, promptly. Afterwards, leave the bird undisturbed in a dark, quiet, ventilated box or paper bag for about fifteen minutes. Check on it again and offer more of the liquid energy. Open your hands to see if the bird will fly off. If not, contact a rescue organization without delay.