Hummingbird Family in progress!

20 years ago

I discovered a Hummingbird nest and have been watching it and taking photos. At first I saw 2 eggs in it and then later, one hatched... then both! The mom bird is always sitting on top of the nest.

It rained heavily a couple days. I went to check one morning and the nest got soaked and slopped over on it's side. One of the babies was dangling out precariously. It's head was sticking out, the other was still huddled inside. The nest was sideways so the mother couldn't sit on top anymore.

I thought one baby was dead but I saw movement from both. I took a bamboo tea strainer and the nest fit perfect in it. I ziptied it to the branch and the mom bird came back and sat on top again!

I thought the one baby was going to die for sure, but later I saw that it made a recovery!

They are quickly getting bigger. They have little yellow beaks and big black eyes that have not opened yet.

Pretty good progress. I read some stuff on the internet that rainy night so when I saw the nest damaged, I knew I could put it in something and not harm the babies.

Hopefully they can make it to maturity!

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Comments (5)

penny1947
20 years ago
That is a great recovery Traction. Are you located on the West Coast?

Penny
traction
Original Author
20 years ago
yes, southern california. They are still doing ok, looks like slightly growing feathers
The mother is very defensive and will buzz my head if I walk by or get close.
Still crossing my fingers they make it all the way!

I don't know anything about birds, I just discoverd this nest and became interested. Now I am really hoping the birds make it since I am invested! I noticed other older nests in the trees. I have alot of hummingbirds in my yard, never knew why but I guess it's because of the mexican sage and lavender.
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bluebirdbabe
20 years ago
You are awesome. Very fast and good thinking on your part. I have used a wood platform and bungie cord to fix a robins nest, I am not sure I would have thought of a tea strainer for a hummer nest. GOOD JOB!!!
penny1947
20 years ago
Well you did the right thing. Keep us posted.

Penny
traction
Original Author
20 years ago
bad news, yesterday I went out to check on the nest and the babies were gone! The nest was fine so I dont know what happened. I can only guess it was another bird or squirrel or ???

I checked the ground but no evidence of them falling out, if they did, a cat could have gotten them.

They were too small to fly, they did not have the thin beaks yet and not much fur/feathers.
Really disappointed... well I do have alot of hummingbirds around my yard so maybe there are more babies out there that made it. I have a feeder that I noticed they used so I'll keep that going.

Nature is harsh sometimes but I guess that's for the best. It's nice having this nice ecosystem in my yard. I hope I'll discover more Hummingbirds.

I will try to load a photo of the tea-strainer nest and babies