How to catch a Hummingbird

[justbugged]

Today I ended up with 2 neighbors knocking at my door with all the nasty little dogs. (5 Yorkies; They has escaped from the yard and had been playing in the street.) What I didn't know is that these 2 neighbors don't talk to each other. Some had been some angst over a street tree, and dog kennels. It was rather awkward for a bit. Any way I met another great neighbor, that I have a lot in common with. I ended up over at her house looking at her garden. Her garden is beautiful.

When I got home I realized that I had left the door to the garage open, as well as the back sliding glass door. At least all the nasty little dogs were still in the house. It was dark in here, and I flipped on the lights. A few moments later I see something kind of big fly by my head. It was this that flew by me.

So then I had to figure out how to catch her and get Fred back outside. I realized that the first thing I needed to do was turn the lights off. She was hiding in the garden window, so then that meant I needed to move half the plantation. So she got caught easily. But then I realize and confirmed that she didn't want to go outside where it was dark and sleepy time. So I now have Fred tucked into the greenhouse for the night. She wasn't wanting to fly off into the night. I left the door open so she should be able to leave in the morning.

As long as I had to house Fred for part of the day, I figured that I was going to get pictures to prove she was here. I told Fred that's the price of bird food in the people house.

For those that don't know all the girl hummingbirds are named Fred, with all the boys being named Larry. It keeps things simple around here.

 

[justbugged]

So this is the rest of How to catch a Hummingbird. Part 2

Somehow catching the hummingbird was something I had learned from catching chickens. It is always easier catching a chicken after the lights are off. So I realized that I had walked in to a fairly dark house, and turned on a lot of lights. So I turned off the lights after I knew that the Hummingbird was in the garden window, and gave myself time to adjust to the dark. I also had to pull out a flashlight. Because I then found that I needed to get behind the many small plants, and a very large Anthurium.

After that it was very easy to pick up the hummingbird. She argued a bit, but I just told her that this is the way it was going to be. Even after I started to take pictures she seemed very calm considering. I was very surprised how long she sat on my hand after I had her out the door, but it was dark outside. so I walked her over to the greenhouse that has a grow light on all the time. She then flew into the greenhouse. I'm just hoping that the cats don't find her.

 

[aoxa]

She wasn't hurt was she?

She's beautiful. I love humming birds

 

[justbugged]

She wasn't hurt as far as I could tell. She didn't seem extremely stressed either. With the lights out she was very calm and didn't struggle much as I picked her up. I knew that I had to be super careful with her because of her size and weight. I think that she may be very young. I have mated pairs every year now. There many feeders the neighborhood, and so the hummingbirds don't migrate like they should. I have to keep the feeder thawed during freezing spells.

 

[carolinagirl58]

My mother-in-law came up with a much safer way to get them out of her garage. She opens the garage door, turns off the lights and hang a hummingbird feeder in the door opening. The birds fly to it in just moments and are free! Sometimes she hangs the feeder in an open window instead. Either way works great and does not stress the little birds at all.

 

[Imp]

Good job JB.

I have resident hummers too.

Imp

 

[justbugged]

Quote:
I have recently met more neighbors that feed the hummers around here. I don't know if the others keep their feeders thawed during freezes, but I am to soft hearted to not at least try. My DH is very good at helping me with keeping the feeders de-iced. I just wish the little things didn't kind of scare me. It has to do with getting hit in the head by one of the cranky little birds. I now treat them with a lot of respect.

 

[justbugged]

Now as I think back at having to catch the hummer, it's not like I could have ignored the little girl. With all the lights on she was flying all over the house. I have also learned that it is very dark and

in my house without the light in the greenhouse window on. I normally leave that light on all the time.

 

[Imp]

I bring the feeder into the house at night, and put it back up as I leave for work, in the morning. Doesn't stay thawed all day but for a few hours it is OK. Since I ususally see them in the morning, I hope that is good.

Imp

 

[justbugged]

Quote:
Well if they are still there in the spring in must be working.