How to bathe a hummer..

20 years ago

No, I don't usually give hummers baths but had an emergency this morning. I found a juvenile male thrashing in a spider web. Now, we've had this happen before and been able to just pull the web off and release. This was not the case this morning. The web that was all over this hummer was so sticky, we couldn't get it off. I was afraid that pulling more was going to damage the right wing, where it seemed the worst. He was so distressed, he had been crying the whole time thru the rescue. I had offered him the feeder and he did seem to eat a bit in my hand. When he would try to fly, the right wing was so compacted with the sticky substance, the feathers were just locked together.My hubby came up with the idea to use dishwashing liquid, diluted a bit and a toothbrush. We were able to get the "sticky" off and then I held him under the faucet for a rinse. I feared the worst for the little guy and put him in a box with the lid closed in the dark for a while (something a rehabber had suggested in another rescue). It was only a matter of time and he was rearing to go. Release was sweet as he sped away! Made my day..

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Comments (7)

minnie_tx
20 years ago
Made mine too!! Congratulations!!!
glok
20 years ago
Oh how wonderful that you were able to help and save that baby!!! Thank you for being there and caring!

glo
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penny1947
20 years ago
Kaye,
Glad to hear the outcome was a good one.

Penny
harryshoe zone6 eastern Pennsylvania
20 years ago
Great rescue Kaye. I doubt most folks would have done so much. There are so many big, heavy spider webs in late summer/fall. I need to knock down those near my hummingbird garden.
lisa11310
20 years ago
How lucky the little guy was that you found him! Bless You!
Lisa
crlyn11mfdct
20 years ago
Kaye you are an angel - I can't imagine the feeling of a hummingbird in my hands let alone free one from a spider web. But thanks for the input if I ever need it I am so glad to have found this site! Carol
DurtGrrl
20 years ago
That's amazing. I'm so glad you were able to help him. Who'd have thought that spiderwebs would be so dangerous! I'm grateful to have the thought in the back of my head now about how to give a bath if need be!
Keeping an ill/distressed bird in a quiet box (with enough airflow) and maybe a washcloth is quite the right idea I think--I had a bit of a time with a carolina wren a few weeks ago. I followed the FAQs at the main birdwatching forum site, and posted, and searched on the net--overnight, a bird I surely thought wouldn't make it to the AM managed to fly away.
yeay for you and the little hummer! :)