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Sick Hummingbird? Or torpor? (1 Viewer)

TheBlackPhoebe

New member
Hi Everyone,

I have a bunch of Hummingbird feeders around my house. Two days ago I saw a Hummingbird on one of my feeders that was puffed up and doing a slight rocking motion. I walked up a little closer to see if he needed help but he flew away. I noticed when he flew away it was slower than they usually fly. He flew to a bush and landed on a leaf not far from the feeder, then went to another bush. I was trying to keep track of him but eventually couldn’t find it anymore. So today it was around the same time of day, maybe like 5:30. It looked like the same one doing the same thing. He was kinda sticking his tounge out a little but and opened his beak a couple times. I went again to try to see if he needed help or if I could take him to the wildlife rehabilitation but he flew away again. Anyone know what this could be? I live in San Diego so it’s not freezing outside but it is getting a little chilly. Could he be going in torpor? I hate watching it thinking that he might be suffering but there’s nothing I can do. Any feedback or answers would be much appreciated.
 
I know it sounds harsh but Buzzys are very susceptible to viral and bacterial issues and once they're infected there's not much we can do. I see this happen a few times a year with the 300+ that visit me and the only thing that I can do to ease the pain of watching them struggle is to understand that any handling or nursing of them would be far more traumatic than and help I could provide.
 
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