julieah3
Member
Hello BirdForum Folks,
A few years ago I had an unusual experience with Rufous Hummingbirds and am wondering if anyone has any comments or input, etc..
I'd been airing out the house one summer morning before leaving. I heard a noise in the kitchen and thought the dog was getting into something but he was sitting at my feet. When I checked the kitchen, I discovered a hummingbird perched on the frame of the skylight.
I canceled my appointment and quickly called our local bird wildlife group and got on the net to find out what to do. I knew this little guy didn't have a lot of time since they need to feed quite regularly. The best advice I found was to turn off any appliances, (quiet the house), get the pets and people out of the house and give the Hummer a bit of time to calm down before trying to get it out. I also got a feeder up by the skylight hoping it might use it, if things became desperate.
I waited about 8-10 minutes and heard it flying again so I peeked in the kitchen and was astounded to see there were now 2 hummingbirds hanging out in the skylight! Not the progress I was hoping for. While I'd been waiting a second one came in and I can't imagine why since they don't pair off for breeding. It seemed the 2nd one heard the 1st's distress calls, maybe?
It took some time but I was able to get each Hummingbird to perch on a broom I held up and they let me walk them outdoors. The first one was noticeably worn out and let me take her out fairly easily. The second one had more energy and took longer but it also perched on the broom and let me walk it to the back door.
Moral of this story.... replace damaged window and door screens in a timely manner. ;-)
Also, if windows are open, because of strong indoor lighting from skylights, keep very bright, colorful art projects where the Hummingbirds don't see them and can come in to investigate. This is just a theory of course but at the time I was finishing a very colorful quilt with intense, bright red checks running through it. The sun was hitting it that morning and I think the color may have attracted them.
Just thought I'd share and see if anyone else has had Hummers come inside. I've had 2 other Hummingbirds inside other homes, (not at the same time and both easily rescued), so this must not be that unusual.
Thanks to anyone who read this long winded post.
julieah
A few years ago I had an unusual experience with Rufous Hummingbirds and am wondering if anyone has any comments or input, etc..
I'd been airing out the house one summer morning before leaving. I heard a noise in the kitchen and thought the dog was getting into something but he was sitting at my feet. When I checked the kitchen, I discovered a hummingbird perched on the frame of the skylight.
I canceled my appointment and quickly called our local bird wildlife group and got on the net to find out what to do. I knew this little guy didn't have a lot of time since they need to feed quite regularly. The best advice I found was to turn off any appliances, (quiet the house), get the pets and people out of the house and give the Hummer a bit of time to calm down before trying to get it out. I also got a feeder up by the skylight hoping it might use it, if things became desperate.
I waited about 8-10 minutes and heard it flying again so I peeked in the kitchen and was astounded to see there were now 2 hummingbirds hanging out in the skylight! Not the progress I was hoping for. While I'd been waiting a second one came in and I can't imagine why since they don't pair off for breeding. It seemed the 2nd one heard the 1st's distress calls, maybe?
It took some time but I was able to get each Hummingbird to perch on a broom I held up and they let me walk them outdoors. The first one was noticeably worn out and let me take her out fairly easily. The second one had more energy and took longer but it also perched on the broom and let me walk it to the back door.
Moral of this story.... replace damaged window and door screens in a timely manner. ;-)
Also, if windows are open, because of strong indoor lighting from skylights, keep very bright, colorful art projects where the Hummingbirds don't see them and can come in to investigate. This is just a theory of course but at the time I was finishing a very colorful quilt with intense, bright red checks running through it. The sun was hitting it that morning and I think the color may have attracted them.
Just thought I'd share and see if anyone else has had Hummers come inside. I've had 2 other Hummingbirds inside other homes, (not at the same time and both easily rescued), so this must not be that unusual.
Thanks to anyone who read this long winded post.
julieah
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