I never am quite sure what to do with wildlife that I think may be in danger. Are they all right? Should I intervene? Will I make things worse or better?
I encountered the question again this week, and decided I should give a helping hand. A baby Ruby-throated Hummingbird was sitting completely lax on the hot blue stones of my patio in the late afternoon sun . Not even lift a wing to try to escape as I came up the walk. Perhaps a maiden flight from the nest gone wrong. I lifted it up, and decided it was in need of serious and quick intervention. I took it in and out of the mister a few times to get him cooled off, until I could see a bit of response, with a full body shake. I then sat him in a small maple tree just out of the range of the mist, but in the shade for a little rest. There were drops of water on the leaves close by so perhaps there could be a sip of water. 15 minutes or so later, I returned, lifted him up in my hand. There was an attempt at flight, that landed him on the ground, I lifted him again, and this time the flight was strong and high, up over the pear trees that line the pool and out of sight. I can not know definitively the outcome for this little creature, but I have chosen to think that this time thing turned out well.
I think the 'non-interventionist' school of though re: baby birds has changed over the years. They say now you can shove a fledgling whose first flight has aborted back into the nest with no harm to anyone concerned, bird or its parents. Looking at that picture, It's amazing to think he could fly at all, but what a treat to see it and hear the story.
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