Baby hummingbird looks weak and abandoned. Should I take it inside?

Question

There is a hummingbird nest in my backyard that hatched two eggs. One baby fell from the nest. We warmed him and fed him and put him back but he died the next day. The second baby looks very weak and wet and cold. We fed the second chick a little through a syringe and he looked quite happy but I'm not sure he can get all his nutrients from our sugar water. The mom has been flying around and stopping by but I don't believe she's caring for the chick. Should we bring the baby inside?

Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA · Accepted Answer

Nature can be very cruel. And unfortunately, especially in the bird world, survival of the fittest is the rule. Sometimes chicks who are not thriving are sick or otherwise underdeveloped. The parents often instinctively know this. Also, the parents are less likely to care for their chicks when they have been touched by human hands. While I am certain you have the best of intentions, feeding the chicks and taking them in could possibly make matters worse.

Baby hummingbird looks weak and abandoned. Should I take it inside?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

My male dog's penis is stuck out and his scrotum has a painful rash.

My degu lost teeth after an accident. How can I feed him soft foods?

My dog's matted fur bled after cutting. Should I take him to the vet?

How to keep a pet mom and her newborn babies warm and calm?

Found a worm in my new chick's water dish. Is it a parasite?

My sick small pet is breathing mouth open. Did I drown her feeding?

Share