The Trapped Hummingbird
Thanks to Google, I was able to extract the trapped hummingbird from our garage. Apparently, hummingbirds immediately want to fly up anytime they feel threatened or trapped. So when a hummingbird flies into a garage to check out the red emergency handle on the garage door opener and happen to get slightly disoriented they fly up. Apparently their little brains can’t grasp the enclosed room concept so they generally will fail to fly down to get out of the garage. But after Googling, I found an article on getting hummingbirds out of the garage.
If the hummer isn’t gone within 10 minutes or so, turn on the inside garage light, close the overhead door, and get a flashlight. When the hummer flies over a clear section of the floor, turn off the light. Hummingbirds have poor night vision and don’t like to fly in the dark, and the bird will flutter gently to the floor. Turn on your flashlight, find the bird, and scoop it upgently in your cupped bare hands. Have an assistant open the door, and carry the hummer away from the garage. Offer the bird a drink by holding it close to the feeder, but don’t try to force it. After it drinks, or refuses to drink, open your hands, and when the bird reorients itself, it will fly away - probably straight up. It may lie still in your hand for several minutes, or it may leave immediately.
I didn’t offer him a drink and he didn’t exactly flutter gently to the ground but I was able to gently catch him with all the lights out as he fluttered around one of the bright edges of the doors. I then, opened the door with my elbow (I went for the advanced version and did the task solo). Once I had him safely outside, I slowly opened my hands. He gave me a quick glance, figured out which way was up and away he went like he was shot out of canon.
July 11th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
trapped hummingbirds: My carport is open and I cant use the “darkening” technique. I used my fish landing net (a butterfly net would be better) and hemmed them up in a corner and caught and released them. Works good!
John Atwood, Lumberton, MS
July 30th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Hummingbird was trapped in my garage for a few hours before i thought to google this problem.
Then he didn’t drop to the ground so we had to watch him as he stayed still in the dark. I was able to coax him into a mesh laundry bag and release him. thank you so much for your site…it helped two clueless people save a poor hummingbird.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:28 am
A hummingbird photo recently photographed by my dad looks beautiful.
August 12th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!!!
Another almost identical story and a saved hummingbird! In my case, the garage didn’t get dark enough for the flashlight attraction but it was dark enough to settle down the hummer. I then collected her in my hand and let her free outside the garage. The most amazing part is that she staying in my hand for probably two minutes after I opened it. She was most beautiful.
Thanks again!!
August 12th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I have to correct myself. While my hummingbird was flying in the garage I thought it was a female. Then when I could see close up before flying off outside I noticed a couple of small markings. After researching, it was a juvenile male ruby throated hummingbird. And he was beautiful.