Sevenwndrs
New member
Greeting Bird Lovers ~
I researched several (actually dozens) of websites before finally settling on this one. I am in a bit of a hurry because I am so nervous and concerned that I cannot sleep. I know that this website offers dozens of forum topics, and I was not sure which one to post this message in, so I figured it may be best to start here, and possibly post in a few.
So let me start by asking everyone to please forgive me. I feel horrible. I will explain from the beginning. We have a very large, beautiful tree in our front yard. The branches spread out into the street on the front side, and onto our patio near the fron door. About a week ago, I noticed what I thought was a baby hummingird. She was so tiny. And everytime I stepped outside, she would fly right up to me, just zipping around. I fell in love immediately. I found it so funny that she would come so close. So I did a bit of research and learned that of all wild birds, hummingbirdsare in fact the least afraid of humans. So I figured she was just trying to make a friend of me. But then I thought, wait ... that is silly. This is a tiny little bird who is hanging around a tree that has no blossums of any kind for her to nip in. So I took a look around, which took all of about 15 seconds when I saw this itty, bitty, tiny, web like nest. I did not want to harm or contaminate it, so I gently pulled the branch down from the other end (the nest was on the very tip end of the branch), to make sure it was hers, and sure enough there were 2 baby eggs. So I gently let it back up, and she sat back down on her babies. So everyday I came outside and would whistle to her. She would fly around me, land sometimes, and while she was being cautious, I know she was not freaking out. It almost seemed that she began to expect me. So I purchased a hummingbird feeder and filled it with nectar. I was concerned however because she built her nest as close to my patio as possible, plus she built it at the very tip of the branch that blows real hard in the wind ~ day and night but moreso in the evening. Well, here comes the mistake.
I told my 7 tear old son about her and he was very excited. He knows not to touch or anything like that. The problem is, everytime he saw me go outside to check on her, he would chase after me. And of course anytime there is ANY comotion, she jumps out of her nest and flutters around. Well this evening, I stepped outside, and my son had just had desert and was in a hyper mood. My cat had heard me whistiling by the way, and had come out front to see if I had treats for her. So me and my cat were already there, and then all of the sudden my son bursts out the door screaming "Let me see, let me see, let me see!!!". Oh it was horrible. She jumped out of the nest so fast the the entire branch shook so hard. That is not the worst of it. She flew onto my patio in a panic and was flying so fast and hard, up and down, that she was slamming into the patio ceiling. It was awful. And I knew in that moment that something would change. That was nearly 5 hours ago and she has not been seen since. You must understand that in a week, she has NEVER been gone. She was ALWAYS in that tree. I even wondered how she found food because she was either in the nest, or fluttering around the tree during the day. So I was all upset, and my husband tried to assure me that she was fine ~ that she was just frightened and she was probably watching her nest from a safe distance high up in the tree. But I do not believe it. I have gone out there every hour checking. She isnt there. She wont even come when I get near the nest or whistle. She always came to both. I feel so awful that it is literally making me ill to my stomach. And I KNOW that the wildlife treaty says to leave the eggs alone but I just CANT. If she does not come back, I want to give them a chance. I read how very hard, and sleepless caring for eggs can be. I do not care. It is worth it because it is all my fault. I will keep them in my room and use my alarm clock to keep them fed every hour. But I do not know how to care for the eggs. I know most folks will more than likely respond, telling me to just let them be. But please also know that it is not in my nature to do nothing. I am an animal lover who has basically, carelessly killed these babies by wanting to look at the mommy ~ and allwoing my son to chase after me. So I pray someone gives me advice that will possibly keep these birds alive. Look, where I live, people HATE pigeons, and spend a lot of time and money on poisoning them, trapping them, and the like. They frustrate me too. They eat all of my cat food. But they are God's creatures and that is good enough for me. Once, a stumbling, poisoned one walked into the street and tried to fly when my car was upon it. It flew up just high enough to fall back down on the hood of my car. I was new in town, and spent an hour trying to find an animal hospital. Once I got there, I was laughed at and made fun of by the staff who went on to tell me that if they tried to help the bird, there were no guarentee's as it had been poisoned and would most likely die. So they said the most they could do was to help it die comfortably, either quickly, or slowly with medication. I chose the latter, and paid $400 for it and it still died ~ and that killed me. So as you can imagine, a sweet, tiny, fragile mommy hummingbird is sending my guilt out the roof. I have to do something.
Last question ~ as I mentioned she has been gone for hours. And while I have not seen this behavior before ~ does anyone think it is at all possible that she is just so freaked that she is chilling at the top of the tree for awhile ~ but that by morning she might come back? Do birds ever come back? Does anyone think there is still a chance? Online it says that the babies need constant heat from the mommy tush for 14 days.
Ugh ~ this is just awful!
Thank you for your time everyone. I cherish your thoughts and answers!
P.S. ~ I hope everyone is fluent in typonese! I typed so fast and I am so exhausted that I am sure there are a few typo's!!
Blessings from Las Vegas!
~ Heather
