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Found a soaked dead hummingbird on my sidewalk today, but...


nmoira
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It was cold, but it wasn't dead. It's little feet contracted oh-so-slightly when I picked it up (though my first thought was rigor mortis). I carried it cupped in my hand for about two hours, warming. During this time I walked to the neighborhood vet (no help other than giving me something absorbant and a box), the Backyard Birdshop (they called Audubon for me and gave me a bit of food). Over the course of the two hours it started to move a bit more and dry a bit. We tried feeding it, with a little success, and now it's in the box, fully dry and sleeping, perched on an edge of the towel. We're just waiting for DH to get home with the car so we can take it to the emergency vet that does triage for Audubon after hours. Hopefully there's no more to its story other than having been stunned and caught in a rainstorm before it could recover.

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Oh, I love birds. Thanks for sharing! I helped a bird once as well and know the emotion behind helping animals. Good of you for helping this little bird. It sure looks like it will be ok. eta: precious little bird!!

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Awww! I love this story! I hope it has a happy ending!

 

I will say that birds are pretty resilient. I've rescued many from my cats' mouths that I didn't think would have a chance, but most have pulled through! I think the little guy will make it!

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Moira, I think hummers are one of the most incredible critters out there. They have such HUGE personalities in teeny tiny bodies.

 

We had one fly into our garage last summer and panic. The little guy couldn't figure out how to get back out and it was waaay too hot in there. So I took a broom and gently tried to shoo him out. He ended up perching on it so I walked him out. Then he flew to the top of my head, chittered at me, and then flew to the feeder where he perched and chittered at me some more. Then every time I saw him during the summer, the little stinker would fly close and chat with me. And they get ANGRY when the food in the feeders isn't right.

 

They are just so darn cool. :)

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Audubon called to let me know it was euthanized last night. One of the wings was broken. At least it didn't have to suffer further.

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Oh darn it. I'm sorry!

 

I think I'm going to fib to the kids on this one. We've experienced two deaths close together and my youngest is already having problems sleeping. She's asked for a hummingbird feeder in case it had a family left behind while it's in hospital, and I've acquiesced. (We have two mimosas in our yard, so a feeder had always seemed superfluous.)

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Awww I was so hoping for a happy ending. At least it didn't suffer. We've had some rescues that haven't made it, but I always feel like at least they were warm, cozy and comforted before they passed. I'm glad the little guy got to go gently in the end.

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