Donna Allen
If you find a hummingbird in need of help, you can call the Southern Arizona Hummingbird Rescue at 520-404-9949. There are also some things you can do to reduce the number of hummingbirds that might need rescuing in the first place, according to certified hummingbird handler Vanessa Jones. Here are a few of her tips:
• Position feeders away from windows, and mark your windows with decals to help birds see them.
• Keep cats indoors.
• Avoid trimming trees during nesting season. If you do trim, do so cautiously to avoid damaging or displacing nests.
• If you find a nest with a hummingbird in it, keep your distance and leave it alone as much as possible so as not to stress or scare off the mother.
• A baby hummingbird alone in a nest or on the ground has not necessarily been abandoned. The mother may still return to feed it with quick visits that might only last a few seconds. Watch closely from a distance for at least 30 minutes before initiating a rescue.
• If you find a hummingbird that cannot yet fly on the ground in an enclosed area safe from predators, safely return it to the nest if you can or leave it alone until you are sure the mother is longer around.
• Do not position a hummingbird feeder close to an active nest. This will attract male hummingbirds that could harass the mother into abandoning her young.
More tips and resources about hummingbirds are available online from the Tucson Audubon Society at tucsonaudubon.org/resources.